Toho Nichigeki Theater

by Armand Vaquer

Above, the original Toho Nichigeki Theater circa 1961. Note the movie marquee on the right and what movie is playing there. (Kudos to John "Dutch" DeSentis for finding this shot!) The Yurakucho Mullion Building (featured in "Return of Godzilla" (1984)) now occupies this site.

In 1954, Godzilla rampaged through Tokyo, including the exclusive shopping district of Ginza.

Oooh, it tickles!

There is a scene in the movie where Godzilla steps on some train tracks. The electrical current courses through his body, causing his tail to wildly whip about until it hits a birthday cake-shaped building. This building was Toho's Nichigeki Theater.

Above, Godzilla approaches the Nichigeki Theater (left).

Above, as Godzilla steps on the train tracks, his tail whips about as the electricity from the tracks course through his body. The Nichigeki Theater is in the background.

Above, the Nichigeki Theater is smashed by Godzilla's tail.

The scene was intended as an "inside joke" for the patrons screening Godzilla (1954) in the very theater that gets smashed in the movie.

The Site Today

Today, the Nichigeki Theater has been replaced by the Yurakucho Mullion Building. There is a Toho Nichigeki Theater inside the the complex, but the current Nichigeki Theater is a multi-screen theater similar to what is found in shopping malls in the U.S. I saw Space Battleship Yamato at the Nichigeki last December.

Also within the complex, is the Picadilly Theaters where Gamera The Brave (2006) was premiered.

Above, the Yurakucho Mullion Building today. The Toho Cinemas Nichigeki multi-plex is housed within.

For more on the Yurakucho Mullion Building and how to get there to see it, see page 28 of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

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Keiju Kobayashi, R.I.P.

The man who played the intense prime minister who stopped the United States and the Soviet Union from going to war after Godzilla attacked a Soviet nuclear submarine has passed away.


Left, Keiju Kobayashi.









Kyodo News is reporting:

Keiju Kobayashi, whose earnest performances endeared him to viewers throughout his nearly seven-decade long career, died of heart failure at a Tokyo hospital Thursday, his agency said Saturday. He was 86.

Kobayashi played Prime Minister Mitamura in Return of Godzilla (1984) (a.k.a. Godzilla 1985) in a very memorable performance. In that movie, the United States and the Soviet Union were about to go to war after a Soviet submarine was sunk by Godzilla. As the prime minister, he disclosed the real culprit for the sinking to both governments, thus averting war. He also resisted the U.S. and U.S.S.R. ambassadors' demands to use nuclear weapons against Godzilla.

His career spanned seven decades with his most recent role in Koisuru kanojo, nishi e. (2008).

Kobayashi appeared in roles ranging from prime ministers to police detectives in over 260 movies and television dramas.

He was also the recipient of medals of honor from the Japanese government for his achievements and cultural contributions.

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