Mill Creek Entertainment goes Tokusatsu or A Giant Moth and Beyond…Ultra Beyond!
Above- cover art front/back for Bluray steelbook addition from Mill Creek Entertainment
Trailer- Mothra 1961 in HD-
Above: Lavish Japanese quad -original release-1961
A day in Japan -1966- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvoZjbp9R1w
Mightiest Monster in All Creation!- The tagline for one of the biggest monster films to come from Japan or anywhere for that matter. Columbia Pictures marketing campaign
The year was 1960 and Toho and Eji Tsuburaya wanted something other than your run of the mill Kaiju movie. The film in question after several months of pre and post production would see a 1961 release in Japan and Columbia having seen the trailer enthusiastically premiered in the US May 10th 1962. It was to be a departure from Godzilla/Rodan and the destruction of cities being stomped upon by these even popular monsters.This time there was to be more of a cerebral message along with the environment at the heart of the story. Oh yes we still get a giant creature film. And yes we are treated to some of the best battle scenes and miniature work that we have been accustomed and treated to by Toho. But it is a thinking “mans” piece of cinema. “Kids” will be entertained and parents can see the message about tampering with things we don’t understand. And not just when it comes to the atomic bomb and science. It has to do with meddling in other cultures and races. Places that have long been kept from exposure to technology and man. His “greedy” nature and that everyone needs to be apart of civilization. Removing something or someone from its’ natural habitat can have dire consequences. I’m talking about Mothra.
- *Toho would make this break from Godzilla on several other occasions offering there version or take on the Frankenstein legend(Frankenstein Conquerors the World-Nick Adams) and an offshoot — gargantuas(War of the Gargantuas- Russ Tamblyn) . And featuring American actors in prominent roles to cash in on the US/International market.
- Trivia break-Mothra is based on a serialized novel-Luminous Fairies and Mothra which was published the same year of the films release.
- Above artwork for 100 Monsters- a yokai filled extravaganza
- *Tokusatsu- live action-special effects laden visual media-film and Television. May be horror/sci-fi themed, which includes heros, monsters and aliens.
Below-Toei Production-French release poster for The Green Slime- Co-production with MGM-featured green, tentacled alien creatures who grow at an alarming rate when their blood is exposed to electricity this was a precursor to Alien(1979 — Producer-Dan O’Bannon Dir:Ridley Scott). (The Green Slime-Available on Bluray via Warner Archive/Amazon)
See Trailer- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiFhntL-kuU (Japanese & in widescreen)
This exploded in the 60’s with not only the Godzilla franchise(Godzilla vs the SeaMonster, Invasion of the Astro Monsters) on a ramped up production window but other companies besides Toho were stepping to the plate …
Daiei Film with Giant turtles-Gamera(world protector), statues come to life, like Daimajin(a protector of it’s followers) or the yokai monsters in a series of 3 films.**
Left-German release for one of the Gamera films and still had to work Godzilla in the title…maybe assuring a box-office return…Godzilla never makes an appearance **
MOTHRA 1962
Mothra (1962) was one of the first films suggesting that maybe the monster is us or some of us. The story unfolds as some survivors of a shipwreck are picked up on the coastline of an island that has been off limits to mankind do to the atomic testing that had be conducted in the area during the mid 40’s to 50’s. When it is discovered that the crew has not suffered any ill effects from an area that should be heavily shrouded by radiation and after several of the survivors state that they had been taken in by very primitive natives it is decided to send an expedition to Infant Island.
While there not only does the expedition encounter the natives but fairies, two very tiny females(played by the Peanuts-pop singers) and mutated flora-possibly “man-eating”. The work that the gathered scientists are doing is presumably purely scientific. With the exception of one who happens to be a Rolisican businessman Clark Nelson who helped in financing part of the venture. He also has the complete backing of their government. The Rolisican govt are also co-sponsors with Japan and He is a scrupulous nightclub owner who kidnaps the “girls” and forces them into a nightly act. It is learned that the fairies communicate by some type of telepathy and that they and the natives are protected by a giant insect-Mothra. And he who messes with the balance of the island will face it’s wrath. Will Japan and the world survive…
Above Mothra(larvae stage) in search of the “tiny beauties” of Infant Island
**What was happening in Japan , fashions etc … back at the time of the kaiju explosion…and pay close attention to who makes an appearance….** Link to Japanese commercials
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kubOI1LdpO8
Mothra is sprinkled with humor. a human story, tremendous visual effects..the practical kind, amazing miniatures, featuring a film shot in scope giving a larger than life appeal and a haunting yet beautiful music score by Yuji Koseki. Click below-Mothra Original Soundtrack.
Going back to the humor. It was a brilliant decision to cast Frankie Sakai (comedian,actor,musician) as a dogged reporter who stops at nothing to get a story. Especially when it means fighting for the underdogs of the world and injustice.He is perfect for this role and brings a refreshing bit of humanity to the film and a wonderful blend with his facial expressions/ comedic timing.
Frankie was an accomplished drummer, singer, cook and a woodblock artist prints/paintings or ukiyo-e(Japanese-usually featuring kabuki actors, sumo wrestlers and female beauties). He was not limited to the big screen but also on Television.
He was a prominent cast member in Shogun(Richard Chamberlain and Toshiro Mifune)- one the most popular TV mini-series of the 80’s. He could do drama just as easily as comedy. This made a very versatile performer and greatly added to Mothra.
Now the mother of all monsters has touched down in the form of a Bluray, steelbook special edition from Mill Creek Entertainment. Mothra has mades it’s journey from a standard definition DVD to remastered Bluray format. Mill Creek has spent considerable time meticulously cleaning up every frame of this masterful tale and piece of movie magic. It has never looked better than this recent edition. The sound is top notch and the opening credits alone with it’s sparkling and vibrant colors is spectacular. But that is not the extent of the experience.
Available on Amazon- https://www.amazon.com/?tag=hymsabk-20&hvadid=77721839603931&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_7j18redljw_e
and
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The effects are sharp and the sets are a treat. The release demonstrates the genius of the filmmakers. Then comes the extras:the bonus material with an audio commentary, the original trailers and both the US and Japanese releases. With the Japanese providing a longer running time and a slightly different outcome mainly apparent with the last 30 minutes of the film. So make sure you watch both versions, they are both thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining.
Well tune in to the 2nd part of this article next week and for now I leave with a couple of vintage ads from Japan capturing the essence of what it is like to be a kid no matter where or when you are… making the statement time is irrelevant when it comes to youth or as the old adage goes “kids will be kids”
. Til’ next time this is Doc saying goodnight Miss Wu wherever you are.
*Kids will be kids not just at any age , but in any part of the world-Kids love bugs
and heroes***
