Mill Creek Entertainment going Ultra as in Q and the origins of Ultraman
Mill Creek Entertainment has been ever diligently releasing more and more Bluray collectibles with amazing extras/bonus material. The last few months has seen the steelbook editions of Mothra(1962) as we discussed in our first part of this article,
Link for Yor trailer —
Yor, The Hunter From the Future and now the first two Ultra series from Japan- both Ultra Q(1966) and Ultraman(1966–1967). The later is the first of the Ultraman universe and it’s series that will receive the special treatment as well. Many of these shows and movies have not seen a major release or distribution in the US. The only place where one could watch our red suited hero was a streaming service available thru Amazon called Tokko. For fans of Ultraman it could not be any better than when Mill Creek announced that they signed a licensing agreement with Indigo that will give access to almost the entire series and movies based on said character. Look for Mill Creek to release these over the next several months and in to 2020. Titles to include Ultra Seven, Ultraman Orb and Ultraman. An extra bonus to these releases is that each set will come with a code for a digital copy that can be streamed on Moviespree. **As of this time Mill Creek also moved all content from their Mill Creek Entertainment digital platform and merged it with Moviespree. For customers that had bought or redeemed digital codes they are now able to view those titles on the Moviespree platform. **
ULTRA Q
Above- promo piece for Ultra Q combining publicity shot(B/W) with artwork featuring several monsters and the 3 main actors in bottom right corner.
Start here for a surreal journey to the Ultra Zone both mind numbing and a candy treat for the ears…Ultra Q the Television soundtrack
“FOR THE NEXT 30 MINUTES, YOUR EYES WILL LEAVE YOUR BODY AND YOU WILL ARRIVE IN THIS STRANGE MOMENT IN TIME…”
Well, after a statement like that you probably thought it would be followed by “You now have entered the Twilight Zone or at least if you are familiar with Ultra Q — The Ultra Zone! Thank goodness TBS/Tsuburaya did not decide to mimic Rod Serlings’ classic series. Other than in the tone/mood of the said show. A new show was ordered by Tokyo Broadcasting Station and was to be an exclusive production by Eiji Tsuburaya(The genius behind many of Toho’s kaiju films including the one that started it all- Godzilla?Gojira). It had to be something that appealed to all ages. It would break the mold of traditional scifi series up to that time-recurring characters featuring a go getter woman in the form of a journalist/reporter. Two private pilots who dabbled in paranormal incidents and a professor of science. This was one of many changes to the original concept. What followed, aired 15 months after an exhaustive production schedule. TBS gave Japan a whopping New Years gift.
Ultra Q premiered on January 2nd 1966. It was and is a masterpiece of gothic science fiction. Atmospheric sets .. loaded with fog, wispy smoke and lots of monsters both from other dimensions and worlds along with Japanese folklore wovened carefully into a tight 30 minute show. Although Ultra Q owes a lot of it’s origin and it’s appeal to American sci-fi classic shows The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits which both were airing in Japan around the time of production it is safe to say that it stands on its own merits. The tone and the atmosphere being achieved by some amazing sets, effects as well as the music by The bonus — movie cinema special effects packed into to the story line. And did I say monsters -like giant ones. Dinosaur sized. The audience ate it up and so did the kids and adults. Ultra Q became the top rated and viewed series in Japan. It was an instant hit.
***Trivia Break- The leading sponsor for the first three Ultra series was Takeda Pharmaceuticals.They also along with Tokyo Broadcasting Service profited in a major way early from the merchandising Ultra Q. Needless to say that did not last every long after Tsuburaya Productions discovered this. On all future productions thanks to Eijis’ son, Noboru all merchandising was split evenly between Eiji’s company and TBS and which after a designated time all rights would revert back to Tsuburaya Productions.
Ultra Q dealt with stories where mankind at times was responsible for the creatures and extra normal incidents that were a part of the storyline. Be it climate change, overcrowding, pollution. These views were in twined with ghosts, wind control, supersonic trains, other dimensions and and not all monsters/aliens were out to get us. One story in particular focused on a scientist who had a fascination for spiders. The problem was he did some of his experiments at home and his daughter was bitten by one, causing her death. So heartbroken and blaming himself for her demise. He could think of nothing else. Becoming consumed by his guilt legend had it that he eventually turned into a giant spider. The manson where he resided was in a very spooky, fog bound swamp. The Ultra Q team became stranded near this supposedly haunted area and sure enough stumbled upon Baron Spiders’ estate. There is nothing like a dilapidated mansion in the middle of a swamp, surrounded by fog and having a giant spider in residence. Truly one of the chilling episodes in the series. One of my favorites.So tune in if you dare.
***Trivia Break- One of the many unique editing sequences done in post production included the opening credits taking place within the spinning wheels of a tire,
Ultra Q holds the Guiness Book of World Record for the most sequels for TV-36 and counting. Eiji Tsuburaya took a departure long enough from film production to give Television one of it’s most endearing series/characters in history. He helped to create one of the first tokusatsu, a heavily laden special effects -live action media, be it the big or small screen. Mostly consisting of science fiction, horror and superhero genre but can at times include other live action categories. They are super popular in Japan. In fact it is one the most popular entertainment forms in the country. But a very small portion of these series/productions are known outside of Japan. Taking exception to this is the Godzilla/Gamera movies, Kamen Rider(extreme live action insect themed heroes on cycles) and giant robots and can include Sentai Rangers(Power) mixing manga/anime motifs.
To achieve these cinema like effects and giving the series a larger than life aspect was Eiji’s insistence on having a High End Optical Printer. No drop in the bucket. They were enormously expensive. Eiji stated he would not produce the show without one. TBS bought one and Tsuburaya Productions paid it back over time. It gave the show the edge it needed and was literally the 4th one built and owned in the world. Eiji was in line with the likes of Walt Disney now. He also used miniature sets, vehicles, landscape and buildings combined with monsters and the Ultraman characters in suits. It allowed to create scenes with the aid of rear projection, there by having the monsters and the heroes being able to battle each other combined with quick edits of actual locations and the miniatures. The result is is fast paced and pure entertainment-featuring alien vehicles and the SSSP ships that are remarkable.
Ultraman opening:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKBwH17FWJQ
Ultraman and his many incarnations have spanned several decades. Even though the series and the character owe its roots to its predecessor, Ultra Q. His roots go back to the 50’s and an American TV series based in the medium of comic books. A series that would be a head of it’s time with overtones of patriotism and to do the right thing. This show would dive deep into a new technology that would not come to fruition until the 60’s. It’s central character featuring an alien that came to earth and became it’s defender. Sound familiar. Well it could very well be describing Ultraman and which it is.
But it also is DC Comics Superman. Superman- the 50’s TV series was looked at closely when creating the Ultraman character and the series. What I like about Ultraman is that it was able to bring monsters and aliens into the format and for the time period make it seem believable. Superman did gives us scenes with our hero flying, peering through solid objects via x-ray vision, bursting thru walls and so on. But his exploits mainly dealt with domestic issues plaguing the city of Metropolis:dams about to burst, bridges on the verge of being washed away. out of control fires..etc. plus Clark/Superman(George Reeves) duked it out with major criminals or took on mad scientists.
Link-Opening to Superman-color seasons-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0swAKS-5qA&t=2s
The one exception to that was Superman vs the Mole Men featuring small humanoid “creatures” of an underground race that had some technology that was beyond our means. The confrontation was a departure from the routine “ They are plotting to take over the surface world. It was a misunderstanding that led to a possible battle with this race from below. And was worked out in a creative way. Some of this rubbed off into the Ultraman story line and not all aliens/monsters were out to get us.
But in terms of providing the “kids” with a more scifi/horror element Ultraman went much further than the red/blue/yellow costumed hero from across the seas.. Ultraman was able to grow to a giants height when needed to combat the threat of monsters and alien forces that threatened Earth. He additional powers including energy beams, martial arts moves in addition to flight.
Ultraman/ Shin Hayata has upon occasion questioned the actions of the SSSP(Science Special Search Party)/Inter Galactic Defence Force(IGDF) & even the Ultra Guard(Ultraseven).
Take episode 30 of the Ultraman series Phantom of the Snow Mountains.Here a legendary monster called Woo pops up near a popular ski resort and has the help and the guests in a grip of fear. There is also a “snow girl” called Yukinko, who is shunned by the village, thought to be mysterious and having ties to Woo. Now Woo has not actually hurt any one but does seem to appear whenever Yukinko is in danger. Once being sought after by a local hunter because she was interfering with his trapping. Shin on his way to investigate with one of his fellow IGDF starts to have second thoughts on disposing of this creature and is not so sure it presents a danger. In fact he believes that Woo may very well be a Snow Woman and Yukinko deceased mother who’s soul maybe inhabiting Woo. The story is really about wanting to fit in to society. Yukinko just wants to be accepted by the village and asks Woo to go back to the mountain. Quite the dilemma. You’ll have to watch in order to find out how this works out.
Ultraman also showed off an array of high tech vehicles :
Jet VTOL- to right battling the 1st monster to appear on Earth and is equipped for space (episode # 35 Monster Graveyard), Hydranger(super speed sub) and weapons in order to be to defend Earth and assist Ultraman.
Included in this arsenal Super Gun, Mars 133 and Spider Shot ( two handle rifle-being demonstrated -upper left of pic) and Super Gun. As you can see the SSSP had many choices when it came to defense.
There were several occasions when had it not been for the resourcefulness of the SSSP that Ultraman himself may have perished or even the Earth. So heroes don’t have to be able to fly of grow to giant size to be able to make a difference. One episode #37 in particular entitled A Little Hero has Ide/Ito feeling a little down and despondent. Thinking that what he does does not matter. As if all there ever is needed is Ultraman. Shin(Ultraman) tries to cheer up Ide and explains to him all the times he may have forgotten about when Ultraman was hurt battling Antlar and when the SSSP blasted. You see Ide is their weapons expert/designer/inventor. He is basically the “Q” of SSSP. Favorite weapon of choice the Mars 133(long barreled pistol with a scope).
At the same time Pigmon(think Carrot Top as a monster) is trying to warn the gang that Monster Chief is reviving monsters and plotting revenge against the SSSP/Ultraman. Both Ide and Pigmon are feeling the frustrations of thinking they are not capable of making a worthy contribution. Such is life. We all may seem to feel that way at times. But in the end everyone big,tall, short , male,female, young ,old all have something unique to bring to the “table” and it is our differences that are our strengths that applies to races and countries as well. And it is what we have in common that we should focus on.
***Trivia break- the music for the first three series were not scored by composers associated with the Godzilla films. Eiji wanted music that would be more gothic in nature. He felt it was very important to the set the tone of the series. Most notably for Ultra Q since many of the episodes were leaning more towards the supernatural side. A young composer by the name of Kunio Miyauchi was finally chosen.
$$ Japanese Vintage ads- who says kaiju don’t have fashion sense.
“A ladies, can I ask you where can I find the latest in flats?”
Ultraman was aimed more at middle ground entertainment and the ages. Cashing in on the monster explosion. When it came time for another series for TBS and it’s popular time slot on Sunday evenings they wanted another Ultra. This time going for the adult audience and the Twilight Zone/Outer Limits again, something closer to the original Ultra Q. But combining spies, especially with Mission Impossible tearing up the ratings at home in the US and overseas. Another influence for this new series was Gerry Andersons’ Thunderbirds. It was decided to combine both with more locations. Even a space station and more high tech. This Ultra hero would rely more on his brains vs brawn and have some help.
Monsters(pictured left) in capsules that could be summoned when Dan/ Ultraseven( the Ultra) was unable to make an appearance. This proved not all monsters/aliens were bad. The show would also take up social messages, political unrest and mores. Something that many science fiction shows and stories are able to do with a suspension of disbelief. Emphasis on character development and story. Now don’t think that with all this seriousness that they have forgotten the entertainment side of things. Ultraseven smashed all the previous ratings and even battled other series on other networks Fuji TV, Sentai shows-at least to keep himself in the top ten slot… he had help from the Ultra Guard, dedicated individuals who are sworn to defend the Earth. Plus lots of high tech including vehicles, weapons: Ultra Hawk 01(supersonic jet), Hydrangers (submarine with jet propulsion) Pointer(car), videociever( wristwatch/communicator) and the Ultra Gun..
Again I want to thank Mill Creek Entertainment,TBS and Indigo for making it possible for not only this article and being able to review this legendary series but for the fans of this beloved icon all over the world. The series has never looked better with all episodes having been remastered in high definition both Bluray and DVD. Fans will be delighted to know that all editions come with a digital copy to be redeemed on one of the newer streaming platforms-Moviespree. So that means watch anytime, anywhere. Besides the episodes themselves a special booklet is packaged with the the each title. Crammed with trivia, behind the scenes/production notes and a mini encyclopedia covering the characters/actors/, a kaiju gallery, Ultramans’ defenses & powers plus, an episode guide and a description of the Ultraman key technology(mainly tech used by the for each series. Glossy-full color, loaded with amazing stills of cast and crew.
“ You never know when a small twisted heart could cause a matter like this. “
I hope this article has stimulated an interest in the Ultra franchise and the end result will be that you seek it out. I promise nothing but fun entertainment and for 30 minutes you will be transported to a world with no other worries or concerns of aliens and giant monsters to contend with. And that larger than life hero comes to save the day.
All Available on Amazon-
and
Mill Creek Entertainment- Recent releases…
Starting with no particular order …
The cult hit series -
White Line Fever Bluray (1970’s Drive-In cult classic-Jan Michael Vincent),
The Andy Sidaris Collection- all in Bluray format with bonus material and Audio Commentary …plus digital copy
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Writer at Wengs Chop(International Pop Culture & Cinema) Magazine and the Medium platform
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