Monster Suit Actor Retrospective: Part 1 - 1954-1970

Haruo Nakajima in the Godzilla costume from 'Ebirah, Horror of the Deep'

So, anyone who is anyone knows that Godzilla films are created in a process known as 'Suitmation,' which is an affectionate term for people acting inside rubber suits. There have been numerous people inside the various costumes over the years, and while the majority of the fandom out there knows the big three: Haruo Nakajima, Ken Satsuma and Tsutomu Kitagawa. Representing the three major sections of the Godzilla series (Nakajima for the Showa, Satsuma for the Heisei and Kitagawa for the Millennium) they are rightfully remembered among the fandom with plenty of words written about their worthwhile performances around the internet. However, what's often forgotten about by many is that there are so many others who have donned the other monster suits alongside as well as getting into the Godzilla suit itself that deserve love, and I hope to start that his series of articles.

Katsumi Tezuka being fitted into the Anguirus costume from 'Godzilla Raids Again'

Among the first men associated with the Godzilla series outside of Nakajima would be Katsumi Tezuka, who was cast as Nakajima's assistant in the first few entries in the series. Basically known for playing the Big G in the famous deleted scene of the Diet Building destruction during the final rampage in the original, he was actually involved in several other early titles in the genre. He was also cast as Anguirus in the follow-up Godzilla Raids Again opposite Nakajima in the Godzilla costume which at least offered him screentime as well as having the honor of being the first performer to wrestle with Nakajima in a Godzilla fight. Afterwards, he went back to being Nakajima's assistant in efforts like Varan the Unbelievable and Mothra, as well being allowed to perform stunts in both King Kong vs Godzilla and Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster which was his last monster role before taking on several smaller human roles before retiring.

Shoichi Hirose in the King Kong costume awaiting Mr. Tsuburaya's (Center) approval backstage in 'King Kong vs. Godzilla'

Another prominent early performer in the series was the legendary Shoichi Hirose, who handled several of the more royal opponents for Nakajima. After becoming famous for his roles as thugs or bandits in numerous samurai efforts in the 50's and 60's, he started off his monster career playing Kong in King Kong vs Godzilla which offered him plenty of chances to show off his legendary strength as he would flip Godzilla around on several occasions with Nakajima inside the costume. Regardless of his non ape-like performance of Kong, the ferocity of his battle against Godzilla adds an extra dimension to the film that came about through the closeness Hirose and Nakajima got during filming which carried over into his next role as King Ghidora in the space creatures' first two appearances. Essentially being asked to make it appear the creature had a weight and mass to it as there were so many wires used to bring it to life that he wasn't really required to perform like he had with Kong and was a place-filler instead. Following this, a particularly nasty falling out with Tsuburaya resulted in his retirement from the scene for better or worse.

Hiroshi Sekida (Left) and Haruo Nakajima relaxing in their costumes while a break in filming 'War of the Gargantuas'

Another major name in the 1960's was Hiroshi Sekida, sometimes credited as Yû Sekita on various other roles. An accomplished stuntman in various samurai films before joining the suitmation scene, his first role was as Sanda the kind brown Gargantua in the classic War of the Gargantuas opposite Nakajima as Gaira. Due to the rapport the two men developed over filming, Sekida would later play Ebirah in Ebirah, Horror from the Deep/Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster that same year. He also got a dual role playing both Gorosaurus and Mechanikong in King Kong Escapes, took over for originally-hired Seiji Ohnaka in the Godzilla suit for Son of Godzilla and netted Anguirus in his return engagement in Destroy All Monsters. He finished up both his suitmation as well as acting career in general playing Gabara in the new footage shot for All Monsters Attack/Godzilla's Revenge before retiring overall.

Masaki Shinohara (Far Right) stands alongside Shoichi Hirose (Far Left) and Haruo Nakajima (Center) with their respective monsters from 'Invasion of Astro-Monster'

Before taking a look at brief one-shot monster appearances, several recurring actors deserve mentions. First was Masaki Shinohara, who is most fondly remembered as being Rodan in both Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster and follow-up Invasion of Astro-Monster/Godzilla vs. Monster Zero, giving the creature a somewhat goofy and silly demeanor. However, he also appeared alongside Nakajima as one of the titular beings in the standout Matango/Attack of the Mushroom People as well as several war and samurai epics before going for the suitmation route. Also prominent throughout the 60's was little person Marchan the Dwarf, who played Minilla in his three appearances Son of Godzilla, Destroy All Monsters and All Monsters Attack. Initially brought onboard for his ability to perform athletic rolls and flips inside the thick rubber suit, the smaller size of Minilla against the larger Godzilla created a physical contrast as well. He was later brought back in 1985 to play the baby creature in the North Korean monster effort Pulgasari alongside another name that we'll bring up at a later time.

Teruo Aragaki inside the Bemlar costume from episode 1 of 'Ultraman'

Another prominent name in the 60s is the undervalued Teruo Aragaki, who played Gamera in Daiei's series about the giant turtle. He initially played the massive chelonian in the first four entries, Gamera: The Giant Monster, Gamera vs. Barugon, Gamera vs. Gyaos and Gamera vs. Viras. However, he was also a featured monster actor on the original Ultraman show, playing a host of monsters including but not limited to Bemlar, Gesura, Red King, Gyango, Gamakujira and Geronimon, among others throughout the first run of that show. Following this, he graduated to Toho in order to play Rodan in Destroy All Monsters and finally one of the giant rats in Latitude Zero alongside Nakajima as the leader which brought his monster-suit-acting career to an end. However, his is a name that is most worthy of being mentioned as one of the more overlooked names in the format.

Although he didn't play the monster in the show, Haruyoshi Nakamura being fitted for the Antlar costume to be eventually worn by Teruo Aragaki in episode 5 of 'Ultraman'

Finally, a few other individuals deserve a shoutout as well for playing one-shot roles in these films. As mentioned, Seiji Ohnaka was selected to portray Godzilla in Son of Godzilla, being a taller actor than Nakajima which made him ideal for creating more of a visual contrast with Minilla. A protegee of Nakajima through his acting troupe, he unfortunately suffered an accident part-way through filming that resulted in his being replaced by Hiroshi Sekida for the rest of the film. In one of only two credited roles in his career would be Susumu Utsumi as King Ghidora in the final battle for Destroy All Monsters, leading the fray against the swarm of actors in the other monster costumes in the big brawl in that film. Lastly, Haruyoshi Nakamura would be utilized for the film Space Amoeba/Yog, Monster from Space as the turtle Ganime, with Nakajima playing the squid Gezora and Kamebas the giant crab in that one. Another former Ultraman monster-actor, he had previously played M1, Kanegon and Pagos in Ultra Q as well as Greenmons and Aboras in Ultraman episodes. Despite being only involved in one film each (and for Ohnaka one that he wasn't able to finish to completion) these men deserve some recognition and shoutouts for their contributions.

Now, we'll leave it here for the time-being as that brings us to the end of the 1960's and Eiji Tsuburaya's passing which seems like a fitting epitaph to close out this first effort. We'll look at more in due time on these pages as celebrating the work of these individuals should and will be done in the future.