Shōichi Hirose

Shōichi Hirose was a Japanese actor. Sometimes credited as Solomon Hirose, he is probably best known for playing Godzilla's archenemy King Ghidorah and for being the actor inside the King Kong suit in King Kong vs. Godzilla, along with several tough guy roles.

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House (1977)

MindlessClassicWeird

Hoping to find a sense of connection to her late mother, Gorgeous takes a trip to the countryside to visit her aunt at their ancestral house. She invites her six friends, Prof, Melody, Mac, Fantasy, Kung Fu, and Sweet, to join her. The girls soon discover that ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Nobuhiko Obayashi
CAST:  Kimiko Ikegami  •  Yôko Minamida  •  Haruko Wanibuchi  •  Ai Matsubara

Hoping to find a sense of connection to her late mother, Gorgeous takes a trip to the countryside to visit her aunt at their ancestral house. She invites her six friends, Prof, Melody, Mac, Fantasy, Kung Fu, and Sweet, to join her. The girls soon discover that ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Nobuhiko Obayashi
CAST:  Kimiko Ikegami  •  Yôko Minamida  •  Haruko Wanibuchi  •  Ai Matsubara

Atragon (1963)

The legendary empire of the lost continent of Mu reappears to threaten the world with domination. While countries unite to resist, an isolated World War II Captain has created the greatest warship ever seen, and possibly the surface world's only defense.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ishirō Honda
CAST:  Tadao Takashima  •  Yōko Fujiyama  •  Yū Fujiki  •  Ken Uehara

The legendary empire of the lost continent of Mu reappears to threaten the world with domination. While countries unite to resist, an isolated World War II Captain has created the greatest warship ever seen, and possibly the surface world's only defense.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ishirō Honda
CAST:  Tadao Takashima  •  Yōko Fujiyama  •  Yū Fujiki  •  Ken Uehara

Frankenstein Conquers the World (1965)

During WWII, Germans obtain the immortal heart of Frankenstein's monster and transport it to Japan to prevent it being seized by the Allies. Kept in a Hiroshima laboratory, it is seeming lost when the United States destroys the city with the atomic bomb. Years ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ishirō Honda
CAST:  Tadao Takashima  •  Nick Adams  •  Kumi Mizuno  •  Yoshio Tsuchiya

During WWII, Germans obtain the immortal heart of Frankenstein's monster and transport it to Japan to prevent it being seized by the Allies. Kept in a Hiroshima laboratory, it is seeming lost when the United States destroys the city with the atomic bomb. Years ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ishirō Honda
CAST:  Tadao Takashima  •  Nick Adams  •  Kumi Mizuno  •  Yoshio Tsuchiya

Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964)

A meteor lands in Kurobe Valley as detective Shindo is assigned to protect Princess Salno from assassination. She emerges under the guise of a Venusian prophetess and catches the attention of journalist Naoko and Mothra's fairies by predicting a powerful space ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ishirō Honda
CAST:  Akiko Wakabayashi  •  Yuriko Hoshi  •  Hiroshi Koizumi  •  Emi Ito

A meteor lands in Kurobe Valley as detective Shindo is assigned to protect Princess Salno from assassination. She emerges under the guise of a Venusian prophetess and catches the attention of journalist Naoko and Mothra's fairies by predicting a powerful space ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ishirō Honda
CAST:  Akiko Wakabayashi  •  Yuriko Hoshi  •  Hiroshi Koizumi  •  Emi Ito

Godzilla Raids Again (1955)

Two fishing scout pilots make a horrifying discovery when they encounter a second Godzilla alongside a new monster named Anguirus. Without the weapon that killed the original, authorities attempt to lure Godzilla away from the mainland. But Anguirus soon arrives ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Motoyoshi Oda
CAST:  Hiroshi Koizumi  •  Setsuko Wakayama  •  Minoru Chiaki  •  Takashi Shimura

Two fishing scout pilots make a horrifying discovery when they encounter a second Godzilla alongside a new monster named Anguirus. Without the weapon that killed the original, authorities attempt to lure Godzilla away from the mainland. But Anguirus soon arrives ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Motoyoshi Oda
CAST:  Hiroshi Koizumi  •  Setsuko Wakayama  •  Minoru Chiaki  •  Takashi Shimura

Ebirah, Horror of the Deep (1966)

Searching for his brother, Ryota stows away on a boat belonging to a criminal alongside two other teenagers. The group shipwrecks on Letchi island and discover the Infant Island natives have been enslaved by a terrorist organization controlling a crustacean monster ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jun Fukuda
CAST:  Akira Takarada  •  Kumi Mizuno  •  Chōtarō Tōgin  •  Hideo Sunazuka

Searching for his brother, Ryota stows away on a boat belonging to a criminal alongside two other teenagers. The group shipwrecks on Letchi island and discover the Infant Island natives have been enslaved by a terrorist organization controlling a crustacean monster ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jun Fukuda
CAST:  Akira Takarada  •  Kumi Mizuno  •  Chōtarō Tōgin  •  Hideo Sunazuka

Half Human: The Story of the Abominable Snowman (1958)

An American scientist tells two colleagues about the finding of an abominable snowman living in the Japanese alps, where it is worshipped by a remote tribe as a god, and how it was discovered by modern man after it raided a ski-ers' shelter following an avalanche, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ishirō Honda  •  Kenneth G. Crane
CAST:  John Carradine  •  Momoko Kôchi  •  Akira Takarada  •  Akemi Negishi

An American scientist tells two colleagues about the finding of an abominable snowman living in the Japanese alps, where it is worshipped by a remote tribe as a god, and how it was discovered by modern man after it raided a ski-ers' shelter following an avalanche, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ishirō Honda  •  Kenneth G. Crane
CAST:  John Carradine  •  Momoko Kôchi  •  Akira Takarada  •  Akemi Negishi

Ikiru (1952)

Kanji Watanabe is a middle-aged man who has worked in the same monotonous bureaucratic position for decades. Learning he has cancer, he starts to look for the meaning of his life.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Akira Kurosawa
CAST:  Takashi Shimura  •  Haruo Tanaka  •  Nobuo Kaneko  •  Bokuzen Hidari

Kanji Watanabe is a middle-aged man who has worked in the same monotonous bureaucratic position for decades. Learning he has cancer, he starts to look for the meaning of his life.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Akira Kurosawa
CAST:  Takashi Shimura  •  Haruo Tanaka  •  Nobuo Kaneko  •  Bokuzen Hidari

Invasion of Astro-Monster (1965)

Astronauts Glenn and Fuji investigate Planet X and encounter mysterious aliens known as the Xiliens, who ask Earth's people to help save their world from "Monster Zero". In exchange for borrowing Godzilla and Rodan, the Xiliens offer a cure for cancer. As Glenn ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ishirō Honda
CAST:  Nick Adams  •  Akira Takarada  •  Jun Tazaki  •  Akira Kubo

Astronauts Glenn and Fuji investigate Planet X and encounter mysterious aliens known as the Xiliens, who ask Earth's people to help save their world from "Monster Zero". In exchange for borrowing Godzilla and Rodan, the Xiliens offer a cure for cancer. As Glenn ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ishirō Honda
CAST:  Nick Adams  •  Akira Takarada  •  Jun Tazaki  •  Akira Kubo

King Kong Escapes (1967)

An adaptation of the Rankin/Bass cartoon, "The King Kong Show". King Kong is brought in by the evil Dr. Who to dig for Element X in a mine when the robot Mechani-Kong is unable to do the task. This leads to the machine and the real Kong engaging in a tremendous ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ishirō Honda
CAST:  Rhodes Reason  •  Mie Hama  •  Linda Miller  •  Akira Takarada

An adaptation of the Rankin/Bass cartoon, "The King Kong Show". King Kong is brought in by the evil Dr. Who to dig for Element X in a mine when the robot Mechani-Kong is unable to do the task. This leads to the machine and the real Kong engaging in a tremendous ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ishirō Honda
CAST:  Rhodes Reason  •  Mie Hama  •  Linda Miller  •  Akira Takarada

King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962)

The advertising director of Pacific Pharmaceuticals, frustrated with the low ratings of their sponsored TV program, seeks a more sensationalist approach. He orders his staff to Faro Island to capture King Kong for exploitation. As Godzilla re-emerges, a media ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ishirō Honda
CAST:  Tadao Takashima  •  Kenji Sahara  •  Yū Fujiki  •  Ichirō Arishima

The advertising director of Pacific Pharmaceuticals, frustrated with the low ratings of their sponsored TV program, seeks a more sensationalist approach. He orders his staff to Faro Island to capture King Kong for exploitation. As Godzilla re-emerges, a media ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ishirō Honda
CAST:  Tadao Takashima  •  Kenji Sahara  •  Yū Fujiki  •  Ichirō Arishima

Mothra (1961)

Shipwreck survivors found on the presumably uninhabited Infant Island leads to a scientific expedition that discovers a surviving native population along with the Shobijin, tiny twin fairy priestesses of the island's mythical deity called Mothra. After the fairies ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ishirō Honda
CAST:  Frankie Sakai  •  Hiroshi Koizumi  •  Kyōko Kagawa  •  Ken Uehara

Shipwreck survivors found on the presumably uninhabited Infant Island leads to a scientific expedition that discovers a surviving native population along with the Shobijin, tiny twin fairy priestesses of the island's mythical deity called Mothra. After the fairies ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ishirō Honda
CAST:  Frankie Sakai  •  Hiroshi Koizumi  •  Kyōko Kagawa  •  Ken Uehara

Red Beard (1965)

Aspiring to an easy job as personal physician to a wealthy family, Noboru Yasumoto is disappointed when his first post after medical school takes him to a small country clinic under the gruff doctor Red Beard. Yasumoto rebels in numerous ways, but Red Beard proves ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Akira Kurosawa
CAST:  Toshirō Mifune  •  Yūzō Kayama  •  Takashi Shimura  •  Kyōko Kagawa

Aspiring to an easy job as personal physician to a wealthy family, Noboru Yasumoto is disappointed when his first post after medical school takes him to a small country clinic under the gruff doctor Red Beard. Yasumoto rebels in numerous ways, but Red Beard proves ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Akira Kurosawa
CAST:  Toshirō Mifune  •  Yūzō Kayama  •  Takashi Shimura  •  Kyōko Kagawa

Rodan (1956)

Mining engineer Shigeru investigates the disappearance and death of his fellow coworkers when prehistoric nymphs are discovered emerging from the mines. After an attack on the local village, Shigeru heads deeper into the mines only to make a more horrifying ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ishirō Honda
CAST:  Kenji Sahara  •  Yumi Shirakawa  •  Akihiko Hirata  •  Akio Kobori

Mining engineer Shigeru investigates the disappearance and death of his fellow coworkers when prehistoric nymphs are discovered emerging from the mines. After an attack on the local village, Shigeru heads deeper into the mines only to make a more horrifying ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ishirō Honda
CAST:  Kenji Sahara  •  Yumi Shirakawa  •  Akihiko Hirata  •  Akio Kobori

Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island (1956)

A humble and simple Takezo abandons his life as a knight errant. He's sought as a teacher and vassal by Shogun, Japan's most powerful clan leader. He's also challenged to fight by the supremely confident and skillful Sasaki Kojiro. Takezo agrees to fight Kojiro in ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Hiroshi Inagaki
CAST:  Toshirō Mifune  •  Koji Tsuruta  •  Kaoru Yachigusa  •  Mariko Okada

A humble and simple Takezo abandons his life as a knight errant. He's sought as a teacher and vassal by Shogun, Japan's most powerful clan leader. He's also challenged to fight by the supremely confident and skillful Sasaki Kojiro. Takezo agrees to fight Kojiro in ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Hiroshi Inagaki
CAST:  Toshirō Mifune  •  Koji Tsuruta  •  Kaoru Yachigusa  •  Mariko Okada

Sanjuro (1962)

Toshiro Mifune swaggers and snarls to brilliant comic effect in Kurosawa's tightly paced, beautifully composed "Sanjuro." In this companion piece and sequel to "Yojimbo," jaded samurai Sanjuro helps an idealistic group of young warriors weed out their clan's evil ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Akira Kurosawa
CAST:  Toshirō Mifune  •  Tatsuya Nakadai  •  Keiju Kobayashi  •  Yūzō Kayama

Toshiro Mifune swaggers and snarls to brilliant comic effect in Kurosawa's tightly paced, beautifully composed "Sanjuro." In this companion piece and sequel to "Yojimbo," jaded samurai Sanjuro helps an idealistic group of young warriors weed out their clan's evil ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Akira Kurosawa
CAST:  Toshirō Mifune  •  Tatsuya Nakadai  •  Keiju Kobayashi  •  Yūzō Kayama

The Secret of the Telegian (1960)

Fast paced

Men are being murdered by a psycho called "The Telegian," who uses a matter-transmitting device to locate his victims.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jun Fukuda
CAST:  Koji Tsuruta  •  Akihiko Hirata  •  Yoshio Tsuchiya  •  Tadao Nakamaru

Men are being murdered by a psycho called "The Telegian," who uses a matter-transmitting device to locate his victims.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jun Fukuda
CAST:  Koji Tsuruta  •  Akihiko Hirata  •  Yoshio Tsuchiya  •  Tadao Nakamaru

The H-Man (1958)

Nuclear tests create a radioactive man who can turn people into slime.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ishirō Honda
CAST:  Yumi Shirakawa  •  Kenji Sahara  •  Akihiko Hirata  •  Koreya Senda

Nuclear tests create a radioactive man who can turn people into slime.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ishirō Honda
CAST:  Yumi Shirakawa  •  Kenji Sahara  •  Akihiko Hirata  •  Koreya Senda

The Hidden Fortress (1958)

In feudal Japan, during a bloody war between clans, two cowardly and greedy peasants, soldiers of a defeated army, stumble upon a mysterious man who guides them to a fortress hidden in the mountains.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Akira Kurosawa
CAST:  Toshirō Mifune  •  Takashi Shimura  •  Minoru Chiaki  •  Misa Uehara

In feudal Japan, during a bloody war between clans, two cowardly and greedy peasants, soldiers of a defeated army, stumble upon a mysterious man who guides them to a fortress hidden in the mountains.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Akira Kurosawa
CAST:  Toshirō Mifune  •  Takashi Shimura  •  Minoru Chiaki  •  Misa Uehara

The Human Vapor (1960)

A librarian is subject to a scientific experiment which goes wrong and transforms him into 'The Human Vapour'. He uses his new ability to rob banks to fund the career of his girlfriend, a beautiful dancer. The Human Vapour is ruthless in his quest for money and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ishirō Honda
CAST:  Tatsuya Mihashi  •  Kaoru Yachigusa  •  Yoshio Tsuchiya  •  Keiko Sata

A librarian is subject to a scientific experiment which goes wrong and transforms him into 'The Human Vapour'. He uses his new ability to rob banks to fund the career of his girlfriend, a beautiful dancer. The Human Vapour is ruthless in his quest for money and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ishirō Honda
CAST:  Tatsuya Mihashi  •  Kaoru Yachigusa  •  Yoshio Tsuchiya  •  Keiko Sata
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