Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters

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Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters
Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters
Author(s) August Ragone
Publisher Chronicle Books LLC
Publish date November 1, 2007 (Hardcover),
May 6, 2014 (Paperback)
Genre Autobiographical, Cinematography, Special Effects, History,
Japanese Cinema
ISBN Hardcover
ISBN-10: 0811860787
ISBN-13: 978-0811860789
Paperback
ISBN-10: 1452135398
ISBN-13: 978-1-4521-3539-7
Defending the Earth with ULTRAMAN, GODZILLA, and FRIENDS in the GOLDEN AGE OF JAPANESE SCIENCE FICTION FILM

Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters is a 2007 American nonfiction book written by August Ragone and published by Chronicle Books. It documents the life and film career of Eiji Tsuburaya and some of the history of his company Tsuburaya Productions up to the production of Ultraman Max. Details of Tsuburaya include his technical wizardry, such as the invention of the modern camera crane and the giant pool used for water battles, his dreams of flying, and the history of Godzilla films and Ultra Series television shows during his lifetime.

Description

"Eiji Tsuburaya was a very reserved man on the set. Most of the direction he gave me for the performance was, 'I trust you to do it. Do what you feel is best, I'll leave it up to you.' And that's the way he was for most of the films we worked on together after Godzilla.

After the wires broke on the Rodan suit, causing me to fall several meters onto the miniature set, he chided, 'It's good that you didn't die; because I need you to finish the film.' And I replied, 'That's easy for you to say, I'm the one inside the costume.' But, these things would sometimes happen.
It's been forty-three years since Tsuburaya has left us, but what a happy feeling to have a book published about him after all this time. And that it came not from Japan, but from the U.S.! I'm sure the Old Man would be as happy as I am. August did a wonderful job. Thanks to all for not forgetting him."

HARUO NAKAJIMA
original Godzilla suit actor (1954-1972) and the Man of a Thousand Monsters

"When I moved to America to start filming Godzilla, this was one of the few books I brought with me. Eiji is a true inspiration, and a one of a kind innovator of special effects, the likes of which we'll probably never see again in cinema."

GARETH EDWARDS
director of Monsters and Godzilla (2014)

Contents

  • Contents (p. 13)
  • Introduction (p. 14)
  • Chapter 1: Head in the Clouds (p. 16)
  • Chapter 2: Innovations, War, and Occupation (p. 24)
  • Chapter 3: The Roar Heard Around the World (p. 32)
  • Chapter 4: Master of Monsters (p. 48)
    • (p. 72) Collaborating with the Master by Ed Godziszewski
  • Chapter 5: The House that Eiji Built (p. 74)
  • Chapter 6: Hero from the Stars (p. 113)
    • (p. 132) The Ultra Zone: From the Inner Mind to the Outer Limits by August Ragone
  • Chapter 7: The Monsters' Last Hurrah (p. 134)
  • Chapter 8: The Ultra Aftermath (p. 150)
    • (p. 158) Working at the Family Store by Akira Tsuburaya
  • Chapter 9: Farewell to the Master (p. 161)
    • (p. 176) Life with the Tsuburayas by Brad Warner
  • Chapter 10: The Legacy (p. 178)
    • (p. 182) Eiji's Creations: 50 Years On by Norman England
    • (p. 184) Collecting Eiji Tsuburaya by Mark Nagata
  • Selected Filmography: Key Japanese Films and International Releases (p. 192)
  • Acknowledgements & Dedications (p. 200)
  • Index (p. 201)

External links

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