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1-18 of 18
- Producer
- Writer
- Soundtrack
Tomoyuki Tanaka was born on April 26, 1910 in Kashiwara, Osaka, Japan. He graduated from Kansai University in 1940 and joined Toho Studios the same year. After four years with the company, he became a producer, with his first film production being Kita no san-nin (1945). He was set to begin work on a Japanese-Indonesian film called "Eiko no Kanatani" (Behind the Glory); however, the Indonesian government did not grant work visas to the Japanese cast and crew. As a result, he had to think of something big enough to replace the scrapped movie. During a trip home to Japan, Tanaka peered out the airplane window and gazed towards the dark ocean below, wondering what lay beneath those waves. Then, he got the brilliant idea: make a film about a gigantic monster. Thus, Godzilla was born!
With a respected team of crew members including Director Ishirô Honda, Special Effects Man Eiji Tsuburaya and Composer Akira Ifukube, these "Four Fathers" created the first ever Godzilla (1954) movie, which would go on to become one of the highest-grossing films in Japan of all time and would feature a monster that would be a most recognizable and lasting icon of pop-culture not only in Japan, but in countries around the world. Tanaka would go on to produce 21 of the many sequels to Godzilla (1954), and other Toho sci-fi films such as Rodan (1956), The Mysterians (1957), Varan (1958), Mothra (1961) and Atragon (1963). Tanaka has produced or oversaw every Toho sci-fi film up to 1997 and has also produced six films with acclaimed director Akira Kurosawa.
Tanaka passed away in Tokyo on April 2, 1997 at the age of 86.- Actor
- Producer
- Stunts
Ching-Ying Lam was born on December 27, 1952 in Shanghai, China, the third of six children. He attended Shun Yi Association Elementary School in Hong Kong for 2 years. He later attended the Chun Chau Drama Society to learn Peking Opera, where he portrayed female roles and did stunt-doubling for actresses. At age 17, he joined the film industry, working as a martial arts stunts man and coach for the Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest studios. At age 19, he was a personal assistant for Bruce Lee, and later joined the stunt team of Sammo Kam-Bo Hung.
Lam did stunt coordination and action choreography for numerous Chinese movies and appeared in scores of films playing fighters, henchmen and police officers. However, his shot to fame came when he appeared as "Master Gau" in Mr. Vampire (1985). From this film on, Lam was most famous for his various "Vampire Buster" roles in the dozens of ghost, fantasy, and horror movies from Hong Kong that followed, trying to rid the land of restless ghosts, evil demons, hopping vampires and bewitching elves. In these films, Lam often portrayed the "Master" of several apprentices, some of which have been played by actors Ricky Hui, Siu-Ho Chin, Biao Yuen and Hoi Mang. In addition to these movies, Lam originated the role of "Master Mo Siu Fong" in a TV-series produced by ATV Studios called "Vampire Expert" in the 1990s.
Lam passed away in Hong Kong on November 8, 1997 at the age of 44.- Composer
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Akira Ifukube was born on May 31, 1914 in Hokkaido, Japan. He was the third son of a chief constable (his grandfather was a priest of Shin-to) and spent a majority of his childhood in areas with a mixed Japanese and Ainu population. Therefore, Ifukube was strongly influenced by their musical traditions and styles. As a result, he studied the violin. Later, he attended secondary school in Sapporo, and decided to become a composer at the age of 14 after hearing a radio performance of Igor Stravinsky's the Rite of Spring.
Ifukube studied forestry at Hokkaido University and composed music in his spare time. His first piece was the piano solo "Piano Suite" and his big break came in 1935, when his first orchestral piece, "Japanese Rhapsody," won first prize in an international contest for young composers promoted by Alexander Tcherepnin. In 1936, Ifukube studied modern Western composition while Tcherepnin was visiting Japan, and in 1938, Ifukube's piano suite obtained an honorable mention at the I.C.S.M. Festival in Venice, Italy. In the late 1930s his music, including "Japanese Rhapsody," was performed in areas throughout Europe.
After completing his studies, Ifukube worked as a forestry officer and lumber processor. Towards the end of World War II, he was appointed by the Japanese Imperial Army to study the elasticity and vibratory strength of wood. He suffered radiation exposure after carrying out x-rays without protection. As a result, Ifukube left forestry work and ultimately became a full-time professional music composer and teacher. From 1946 to 1953, he taught at the Nihon University College of Art. In 1947, after encouragement from a friend, Ifukube came to the Big Screen, and composed the music score for Toho Studio's Snow Trail (1947). Ifukube continued to compose music scores for many drama and comedy movies, many of them produced by Toho. However, classical music remained Ifukube's greatest passion. But yet, the world would probably remember him mostly as the man who brought music and soul to the King of the Monsters: Godzilla.
When producer Tomoyuki Tanaka, director Ishirô Honda and special effects man Eiji Tsuburaya of Toho Studios decided to make a movie about a gigantic monster brought to life by nuclear bomb testing, Godzilla was born. Having placed together all the elements for the intriguing and haunting monster film, Godzilla (1954), only one element was left: the music score. Thus, Akira Ifukube came into the picture. He created a somber and masterful score to match the on-screen drama. He went on to score eight Godzilla films in Toho's "Showa" Godzilla series. In addition to Godzilla, Ifukube also scored a number of other sci-fi films produced by Toho including "Rodan," "The Mysterians," "Atragon" and "Frankenstein Conquers the World."
A number of the Godzilla films contains the "Godzilla Theme," which will forever etch in fans' minds that this is Godzilla's musical cue, and the "Monster Battle Theme," which occur in several Godzilla films whenever monster attacks and battles erupt. Probably Ifukube's most memorable work in these sci-fi films is his "monster marches," which are militaristic and rousing. The film Invasion of Astro-Monster (1965) (Godzilla vs. Monster Zero) was once screened in Los Angeles' Little Tokyo, and the audience was stomping to its feet and clapping their hands to the rhythm - most of these were children who have not seen a Godzilla film in their lives.
Ifukube returned to teaching at the Tokyo College of Music in 1974, becoming president in 1976. In 1978, Ifukube retired from film work and in 1985, he became president of the college's ethnomusicology department. He trained younger generation composers such as Toshiro Mayuzumi, Yasushi Akutagawa and Kaoru Wada. He also published "Orchestration," a 1,000-page book on theory. The Japanese government awarded him the Order of Culture and the Order of the Sacred Treasures.
In 1984, after a nine-year hiatus, Toho revived the Godzilla series, and released Godzilla 1985 (1985), thus marked the beginning of the Godzilla "Heisei" series. Five years later, Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989) was released. The composer of the film, Kôichi Sugiyama asked Ifukube if he could use some of his Godzilla themes. He said yes, as long as he doesn't change it into "pop music," which Ifukube dislikes. So, his themes were used, but unfortunately, to the contrary of what Ifukube wished. His daughter told him that no matter how much he stays away from scoring another Godzilla film, his themes will always be heard. So, she suggested that he score the next Godzilla film. Taking his daughter's suggestion into consideration, and after Toho came knocking on his door again, Ifukube came out of retirement; he scored the next three Godzilla films. He brought his classic Godzilla themes with him, utilizing the recognizable "Godzilla Theme" and "Monster Battle Theme" where appropriate, and backed with larger orchestras and enhanced with modern-day digital recording techniques.
Ifukube was usually only given a short amount of time to score a movie. He was given only three days to score Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993). After that film was completed, Ifukube said that he couldn't possibly score any more Godzilla films, especially at his advanced age. Therefore, fellow composer Takayuki Hattori scored the next film, Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla (1994). He was going to take over the reins, but producer Tanaka decided to make one last Godzilla movie. And, what would be more appropriate than to have Akira Ifukube provide Godzilla's final musical bow? Ifukube agreed, and scored Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995). The score for this film is a blending of haunting music, rousing marches and a heartbreaking requiem. Ifukube stated that he regarded this film score as his best work. The rushed job that Ifukube experienced while writing these monster film scores became his magnum opus. Godzilla was a huge part of his life, and Ifukube stated that writing music for the monster was like writing music for his own. Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995) was not only the last Godzilla film of the "Heisei" series and the last Godzilla film Tanaka produced, but was Ifukube's last musical work in films. After the film was completed, Ifukube resumed retirement, this time for good.
Ifukube was known as the "John Williams" of Japan, and became one of cinema's finest composers. He passed away in Tokyo on February 8, 2006 at age 91.- Yoshifumi Tajima was born on August 4, 1918 in Kobe, Japan. His career in movies debuted in 1956, starring in a movie produced by Daiei Studios (known for making its "Gamera" movies) and directed by Ishirô Honda called Night School (1956). He joined Toho Studios the same year, playing "Izeki" in the sci-fi epic Rodan (1956). He became quite a fixture in Toho Studios' sci-fi films from then on, playing an assortment of characters from villains to detectives, and from generals to captains. However, he was probably most famous for his role as the delightfully villainous entrepreneur Kumayama in Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964). He also appeared as a regular cast member of the TV series Ultra Q (1965).
- Actor
- Music Department
Ricky Hui was born in Panyu, Guangdong, China on August 3, 1946. Ricky and his family moved to Hong Kong in 1950. His father played the violin and his mother loved Cantonese opera, therefore, Ricky and his siblings loved music and acting. Ultimately, Ricky and his brothers, Michael Hui and Samuel Hui, went into the entertainment industry. All three would appear in a score of comedy movies together. Ricky has also appeared in a number of vampire and horror movies, starring opposite Ching-Ying Lam as his apprentice.
Ricky is also a singer, and has released seven albums. He also wrote some songs for his brother Sam and has appeared in his concerts. In addition, Ricky appeared in stage productions. In 2001, a documentary was released, telling of Hong Kong's entertainment, called the "Laughing Kaleidoscope." It featured Ricky and other various artists on stage. In 2004, Ricky participated at the Sing Along Golden Hits Encore Concert and, in 2006, participated at the "Rosanne in Starry Night Concert."
Like his brothers, Ricky remains one of the most reputable celebrities in Hong Kong Show Biz.- Producer
- Additional Crew
- Production Manager
Run Run Shaw was born in Shanghai, China on October 4, 1907. He went into the filming industry with his brother, Runme Shaw, and established the Shaw Organization in 1926 and the Shaw Studios (formerly South Seas Film studio) in 1930. In 1967, Shaw established the famous Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) station in Hong Kong, and it grew into a multi-billion dollar TV empire. TVB set the stage for numerous television sitcoms, drama series, documentaries and singing performances, as well as "Enjoy Yourself Tonight," a variety show similar to "Saturday Night Live."
Shaw owns many businesses throughout the world, including Macy's and Canada's Shaw Tower at Cathedral Place. Throughout the years, Shaw has donated billions of dollars to charities, schools and hospitals. As a result, many Hong Kong buildings were named after him.
Shaw himself has also made regular appearances in TV shows and programs from TVB, including their Chinese New Year celebration programs. During these programs, Shaw would often lead an "awakening" ceremony that precedes the famous Chinese Lion Dance. Shaw has continued to lead this tradition throughout the years.- Actor
- Producer
Hiroshi Koizumi was born on August 12, 1926, in Kamakura City, Japan. He graduated from Keio University in 1948. He joined NHK television as an announcer and was selected to be part of the third-annual Tôhô New Face acting class in 1951. The following year, Koizumi made his acting debut in Tôhô Studios' The Man Who Came to Port (1952). When the studios' sci-fi films took flight, Koizumi became a regular in those films, first starring as pilot hero Shoichi Tsukioka in Godzilla's first sequel, Godzilla Raids Again (1955). After appearing in the film, he became most notable for portraying doctors, professors, or scientists.
It is interesting to note that Koizumi appeared in Godzilla's 10th-, 20th-, and 30th-anniversary films: Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964), Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964), Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974) and Godzilla 1985 (1985), starring as a professor or a scientist. Koizumi is one of the few actors to appear in more than one Godzilla movie as the same character. He played Professor Miura in Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964) and Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964) (or Professor Murai). In the 1990s, Koizumi worked on a few films as producer and also served as host of Japan's long-running game show "Quiz Grand Prix."- Mie Hama was born in Tokyo, Japan on November 20, 1943 in a blue-collar Tokyo family whose small cardboard factory burned down in World War II. She grew up poor. She first started out working as a bus fare collector. While working, she was spotted by producer Tomoyuki Tanaka when she was only sixteen years old, and was soon employed at Toho Studios. She appeared in a bevy of drama and sci-fi films, including King Kong vs. Godzilla (1963), where she became the Giant Ape's "Damsel in Distress." She is probably best known in Western Cinema as Bond girl Kissy Suzuki, starring alongside actor Sean Connery in the 007 film You Only Live Twice (1967). That same year, King Kong Escapes (1967) was released, thus, she portrayed the spellbinding "Bond-girlish" villainess Madamn Piranha. Her extended wardrobe and enchanted bed chambers contributed to the film's "James Bond-ish" atmosphere. In addition, Hama would sometimes be referred to as "Funny Face," due to her appearances in Japan's "Crazy Cats" movies.
She became one of the most popular actresses in Japan's "Golden Age" of Cinema, but has done little acting when Japan's cinema world experienced severe financial problems. However, she did return to appear in a few films in the 1970s and 1980s, and she is seen, most recently, working as an active environmentalist, radio and television talk show host. She also married a television executive with whom she has four children. - Akiko Wakabayashi was born on August 26, 1941 in Tokyo, Japan. During her work in movies, she became one of Japan's most popular actresses of their cinema's "Golden Age", ranking with actresses Kumi Mizuno and Mie Hama. One of her first films was Akiko (1961), which was named after her. Interestingly, the movie title shares both her real and character names. Her career took off when she came to Toho Studios, appearing in a host of sci-fi films, including that of the sexy gangster moll in Dogora (1964) and the bewitching alien-possessed princess in Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964). However, in the Western Cinema, she is probably best-known for her role as Bond girl "Aki" in the 007 epic, You Only Live Twice (1967), appearing alongside actor Sean Connery. When production of the 007 film began, Wakabayashi was originally chosen to play Bond girl "Kissy Suzuki" and her co-star, Mie Hama, is to play Bond girl "Suki". As Hama had a difficult time mastering the English language, the two actresses switched roles. In addition, Wakabayashi suggested her character name be Aki instead of Suki.
In the late 1960s to early 1970s, Japan's movie industry experienced an economic slump, which resulted in severe budget cuts. During that time, Wakabayashi made a rather abrupt end to her acting career, and has never been seen on the big screen since. Whether or not the economic slump played a factor, Wakabayashi remains one of the most memorable actresses of Japan, especially to Toho Studios' sci-fi fandom. - Kumi Mizuno was born on New Years Day of 1937 as Maya Igarashi in Nigata, Japan. After she graduated from acting school in 1957, her screen debut was in the Minoru Shibuya film Crazy Society. By the time her second film Futari dake no hashi (1958) came out, she changed her name to "Kumi Mizuno." Her attractive looks and pleasant demeanor made her a favorite of director Ishirô Honda. Thus, she was cast in a host of drama, comedy and sci-fi films from Toho Studios. She became one of Japan's most popular actresses in their "Golden Age" of cinema, appearing with actor Nick Adams in Frankenstein vs. Baragon (1965) and Invasion of Astro-Monster (1965). They were claimed to be romantically linked during the filming of these two films, but they denied the claims as gossip. Kumi's role as Daiyo in Ebirah, Horror of the Deep (1966) was one of her most memorable performances. This film was originally written to star King Kong, hence the love relationship between Godzilla and Kumi--a love relationship more associated with King Kong.
Even though she has few specific memories of her work on sci-fi films during the 1960s, she does reminisce those films fondly. Evidently, she became a Godzilla legend, as she returned to appear in two of the six Godzilla films from the "Millennium" series in 2002 and 2004. - Actress
- Writer
- Additional Crew
Sibelle Hu was born on May 4, 1958 in Taiwan. She graduated from the Faculty of History of the University of Taiwan in 1981. When she was still in school, she made her film debut in Your Smiling Face (1979), which was a big hit in Hong Kong, and then went on to appear in a host of drama/romantic films from Taiwan.
Hu later furthered her film career in Hong Kong, starring in mostly action films, at times taking on tough, no-nonsense police detective roles. However, she also starred in several action-comedies as well, most notably playing "Madam Wu" in three of the six "My Lucky Stars" films. Her role would be spun-off and take center stage in a different movie series called "The Inspector Wears Skirts," where she trains a group of female police squad members at the Hong Kong Police Academy.
Hu was seriously injured in a fire incident from a botched stunt scene while filming Devil Hunters (1989). Fortunately, she received good treatment and recovered well enough to continue with her film career, appearing in movies well into the 1990s.
Hu's film career phased out after she married Patrick Ho Chi-Ping, Hong Kong's former Secretary for Home Affairs. They have one daughter together.- Cherie Chung was born on February 16, 1960 in Hong Kong. She was third runner-up in the 1979 Miss Hong Kong Pageant and entered the film industry afterward, becoming one of Hong Kong's most popular and beautiful actresses.
Chung would go on to appear in dozens of comedy and drama movies, most notably starring along side actor Chow Yun-Fat in a host of films, including the award-winning An Autumn's Tale (1987). She also dabbled in a few action, horror and fantasy films, including that of Sister Yuen in Sammo Hung's ghost comedy The Dead and the Deadly (1982) and Hsiao-Hsueh in Eric Tsang's Golden Swallow (1987).
In 1991, Chung retired from show business and married advertising guru Michael Chu in the United States. He was known for his achievements in the Hong Kong advertising industry; he passed August 24, 2007 from stomach cancer.
Since her marriage, Chung has been active in promoting environmental protection and ran a furniture store in Hong Kong. - Actor
- Writer
- Director
Michael Hui was born in Guangzhou, China on September 3, 1942. He went to La Salle College, and then earned his degree in Sociology from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He came to the Hong Kong entertainment industry running the comedic "Hui Brothers Show." Shortly afterward, in went into films in the early 1970s. He would often star with his brothers Ricky Hui and Samuel Hui in his comedies, usually movies about pitting their wits against the odds to earn instant money. Hui in these series of films was often referred to as "Mr. Boo" by the Japanese market. By the 1980s through the 1990s, Hui has continued acting and producing his own comedies, most of his movies being centered on the quest for wealth. His satirical comedies, deadpan delivery, character-driven storyline and his charming wit makes him one of the most popular actors and comedians in Hong Kong. In 2006, he became host of Hong Kong's version of "Deal or no Deal."- Kenji Sahara was born Tadashi Ishihara on May 14, 1932 in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa, Japan. He came in second in the "Mr. Ordinary Contest" in 1953 and his cinema debut was as an extra in two small roles in Godzilla (1954), one as a ship passenger and one as a journalist. However, his break-through in Toho Studios' sci-fi films came when he portrayed the male lead Shigeru in Rodan (1956), where he changed his name to "Kenji Sahara." He would go on to become a familiar face in Toho's sci-fi films, playing a wide variety of heroes and villains. Appearing in films from all three of the Godzilla series, "Showa, "Heisei," and "Millennium," Sahara has appeared in Godzilla films more than any other actor. He is also a regular cast member in Japan's "Ultraman" television shows.
With his wife, who is fluent in English, they have visited the United States several times. - Megumi Odaka was born on May 9, 1972 in Kanagawa, Japan. When she was 12 years-old, she jump-started her film career as a voice actress for children's TV shows in Japan. In addition, with also being a singer, she released several singles and albums throughout the late 1980s. After participating in the "Toho Cinderella Contest" in 1989 with actress Yasuko Sawaguchi, she was cast as psychic girl Miki Saegusa in the Godzilla film Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989). Impressed with her portrayal of Miki Saegusa, Toho studios had her return in the remaining 5 Godzilla sequels, thus becoming the first actor to portray the same character in a Godzilla film for more than 2 times. To this date, she is the one actor with the most reoccurring role in the Godzilla film trilogy.
After the Godzilla "Heisei" series ended in 1995, Megumi has pretty much retired from films. However, she has made appearances on stage, including "Peter Pan," "Anne's Love," and "Fiddler on the Roof," and occasionally can be seen participating at Godzilla conventions. - Actor
- Director
- Writer
Shui-Fan Fung was born in Guangdong, China in 1945 to a Cantonese opera family. He joined show business in 1971, working with Television Broadcast Limited (TVB), where he appeared in a number of TV series. In 1976, he joined Commercial Television (CTV) as a producer and worked there until its collapse in 1978. Afterward, he returned to TVB.
In addition to television, Fung appeared as an actor in scores of comedies and ghost and fantasy motion pictures in Hong Kong. One of his most notable roles was that of "Rawhide" in the "Five Lucky Stars" movie series, starring along side Sammo Kam-Bo Hung, Charlie Chin, Richard Ng, Eric Tsang and Michael Kiu Wai Miu. The "Five Lucky Stars" series originated from the film Winners & Sinners (1983), where he played a different character named "Rookie." The reoccurring characters of the series were introduced in the film's sequel, My Lucky Stars (1985).
Fung continues to appear in comedies throughout the 2000s.- Writer
- Producer
- Production Designer
Shinichi Sekizawa was born in Kyoto, Japan on June 2, 1921. He began his cinema career in 1939, working on an animated movie in Kyoto. He was called into the service in 1941 and returned to Japan in 1946. In 1948, he was hired at Beehive Productions, where he worked as an assistant director and a screenwriter. In 1953, Sekizawa made his debut as a screenplay writer for the film "Profile of the City." His first science fiction film was Shin Toho's Sora tobu enban: Kyôfu no shûgeki (1956) ("Fearful Attack of the Flying Saucer"), a film on which he served as both writer and director. He came to Toho Studios in 1958, and wrote the screenplay for Varan (1958) ("Giant Monster Baran"). He formed the studio's science fiction team of writers with writer Takeshi Kimura shortly thereafter. The Planning Department at Toho collected story ideas from all over the studio and passed them onto the writers for development. According to director Ishiro Honda, Sekizawa was given the whimsical or fun stories to write, while the more serious or political stories went to Kimura. Sekizawa also did many song lyrics, which were original songs used in some of the Godzilla films of the 1970s. In addition, Sekizawa was a devoted enthusiast of steam locomotives.- Actress
- Music Department
Paula Tsui was born on January 1, 1949 in Wuhan, Hubei, China. She has done a few movies in Hong Kong during her show business career, but is more well-known as a popular singer. She is known for wearing voluminous gowns during her concerts.
A concert Tsui threw in 1987 in front of a wide Hong Kong audience was one of her more memorable performances, singing scores of her hits and wearing dozens of gowns. At that concert, she sang a rendition of French singer Bezu's song "Ali Baba" in Cantonese as children paraded around the stage. Another one of her more popular covered songs was her rendition of Freddy Fender's "Before the Next Teardrop Falls."
Tsui's first album, Autumn Night, was produced in 1969, and her last major album was Tears of Civilization, produced in 1990. She worked with notable recording companies such as Sony Records and Polygram, and also worked with television networks TVB and Asia Television Ltd.
Tsui spent most of her life in private in the 1990s to early 2000s. But, she returned to the big screen in 2006, appearing in a Hong Kong movie called, "The Shopaholics."