THIS deserves it's own news item. Author, dvd commentator, and all around expert on ALL things Kaiju, August Ragone, brings the legendary Haruo Nakajima to the USA and into Burbank for MONSTERPALOOZA this weekend!
It's a rare chance to meet such an undeniable figure in film history up close and personal. You may not recognize Mr. Nakajima out of the costumes he's so well know for donning. Most notably, The King Of Monsters, GOJIRA!!!!!!!!August Ragone writes -
This weekend, the man who played the original Godzilla -- all the way from Japan -- Haruo Nakajima, will stomp into Burbank for the third annual Monsterpalooza horror film gathering, taking place April 8, 9, & 10, 2011 at the Marriott Convention Center.
Taking up extra work at Toho Studios in the late 1940s, Mr. Nakajima appeared in numerous productions, including one of the bandits in Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai (1954). After volunteering for the first Japanese fire stunt in the WW2 epic Eagle of the Pacific (1953), the team prepping Godzilla (1954) knew that he was the man for the job. From 1954 through 1972, Mr. Nakajima donned the heavy costumes to portray Godzilla, and a horde of other beasts, for film and television.
After 11 years, Mr. Nakajima will return to California to meet with his fans and sign autographs during the three-day Monsterpalooza event. He will also be speaking about his experiences in bringing these characters to life -- including the various accidents and injuries he sustained while taking on the roles of Rodan, Varan, Baragon, Green Gargantua, and many other titanic terrors, as -- arguably -- the world's foremost monster suit actor.
"Mr. Nakajima starred anonymously in one of the greatest movie franchises in history -- from the somber allegories of the 1950s to the colorful monster mashes of the 1960s. For many westerners, these films stimulated an interest in Japan, with Godzilla serving as a surrogate cultural ambassador -- largely thanks to Mr. Nakajima's performances. He's a living legend, and bringing him to Monsterpalooza is an honor, and he's looking forward to meeting his American fans," said August Ragone, author of "Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters".
Monsterpalooza, organized by Eliot Brodsky, has quickly become the premiere gathering for fans of creature features in the US. Having hosted scores of actors from classic films, this the show's first guest from Japan -- a great opportunity for monster mavens to meet the one-and-only, Godzilla himself, Haruo Nakajima -- truly making this Monsterpalooza an international event!
We are going to be donating a large portion of the proceeds in the sales of Mr. Nakajima's autographs (at screamingly low prices to begin with, because I hate inflated celebrity autograph prices) will go to the Japan Society's Earthquake Relief Fund -- there will also be a limited number of giclee prints of the event artwork (seen above), singed and numbered by the artist and Mr. Nakajima, which we will auction at Monsterpalooza. The full amount of the giclees will be going directly to the Japan Society's fund.
Holy atomic Godzilla droppings! Does it get any better? Magic 8 Ball says "Not likely"
Check out the wonderful Mr. Nakajima doing that special thing he does below the break.