Tadao Takashima Movies
The Japanese gargantuan reptile fathers a son who is a chip off the old eggshell. The men of the family take on oversized mantises and arachnids in this exotic sci-fi adventure. ~ Kristie Hassen, Rovi
- 1966
The Daphne refers to Hariko Sugimura, a widow with four daughters. Two of the girls still live at home; the other two are married, with lives of their own. The film chronicles the shifting-sand relationship between mother and daughters, with happiness and heartbreak coming out even. The cast of The Daphne was impressive by Japanese film-industry standards, though few of the stars are recognizable names to western audiences. Released in a 106-minute version in the US, The Daphne ran nearly three hours in its original Japanese version, which went out under the title Jinchoge. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Machiko Kyo, Haruko Sugimura, (more)
In this Japanese sci-fi adventure, Japan and the rest of the planet is being destroyed by a deadly series of earthquakes. Explorers soon discover why: beneath the sea is an enormous city, Mu, and to keep it going, they have been stealing energy from the Earth's core. They refuse to stop and so the Japanese government pleads with the commander of the air, land, and sea supership, the Atragon, to help them destroy Mu. Unfortunately, the skipper cares nothing for saving the world. But when the Mu-folk steal his own daughter, the commander changes his mind. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Tadao Takashima, Yoko Fujiyama, (more)
- 1964
- Add Frankenstein Conquers the World to Queue Add Frankenstein Conquers the World to top of Queue
This hilarious monster mess from the makers of the Godzilla series (including director Inoshiro Honda) essentially recruits Mary Shelley's classic creature into the ever-growing ranks of Japanese city-stomping behemoths -- albeit with a less colorful costume. The only nod to the original Frankenstein involves the monster's reanimated heart, rescued from Nazi Germany and blasted with radiation in the Hiroshima blast. When the heart is accidentally eaten (don't ask) by a Japanese youth, the poor kid bulks up to titanic (though hardly Godzilla-esque) proportions, apparently presenting a threat to Mount Fuji's current guardian, the lizard-monster Baragon. The two duke it out Toho-style while token yank Nick Adams comments on the proceedings. The plot originally pitted the colossal Frankenstein monster against a giant sea creature (the film's original title was Frankenstein vs. the Giant Devilfish), but the alternate opponent was edited out of the final print. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi
- Starring:
- Nick Adams, Tadao Takashima, (more)
This preposterous battle between the huge ape King Kong and the fire-breathing dinosaur Gojira marked the beginning of Toho Studios aiming their monster films at children rather than general audiences. Director Ishiro Honda stages the battle scenes atop Mt. Fuji for laughs, as the two lovable beasts play ball with a large boulder and generally behave like professional wrestlers horsing around for the camera. Persistent rumors claim that there exist two different endings to this film, with Godzilla winning in the Japanese version and Kong prevailing in the American print. These rumors are incorrect, as Kong wins in both versions. Gojira survived to battle Mothra the following year in Mosura Tai Gojira, while the Asian Kong returned in King Kong No Gyakushu (1967). ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi
- Starring:
- Michael Keith, James Yagi, (more)
- 1961
In this Japanese melodrama, set during the last years of WW II, Tsukasa, a high school student, ends up marrying a manipulative teacher after he sabotages her relationship with a college student. Not long after the wedding, he begins beating her so frequently that she runs away from him. She is soon happily involved with a Korean. Unfortunately, her cruel husband reappears and gets her fired from her new job. They divorce and she marries another student. Her new husband is drafted into the army. He is killed at sea, and she is left with a baby and little hope. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
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