Godzilla receives star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Asian Economic News, Dec 13, 2004

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 29 Kyodo

Hollywood commemorated the 50th anniversary of Godzilla on Monday by awarding the beloved movie monster with a star on the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Hundreds of fans displaying Godzilla memorabilia gathered for the ceremony on Hollywood Boulevard near the landmark Grauman's Chinese Theater.

Hours after the event, the theater hosted the world premiere of the new Toho Co. film, ''Godzilla Final Wars.''

''It's long overdue for Godzilla to get his star, about 50 years overdue,'' said Joe Kirchheimer, 18, a dedicated Godzilla fan since childhood. ''Godzilla should have had a star the day the first movie came out,'' he said.

Kirchheimer, who admires Godzilla's antinuclear symbolism, showed his loyalty to the monster by pinning pieces of his favorite childhood Godzilla T-shirt onto his clothing.

Television producer and Ceremonial Mayor of Hollywood Johnny Grant presided over the morning events.

''Today we honor a behemoth that has become an icon to the movie industry here in Hollywood and in Japan,'' Grant said.

Fans were delighted as a replica Godzilla stomped his way onto the red carpet. ''I love you Godzilla,'' ''Godzilla you're my hero,'' people shouted as the monster emitted fierce shrieks and streams of smoke from his mouth.

Shogo Tomiyama, producer of ''Godzilla Final Wars,'' was a special guest at the Walk of Fame ceremonies. Tomiyama thanked Godzilla fans in North America, and said that while ''Godzilla Final Wars'' is the monster's final film, ''he will be resurrected by filmmakers in the future.''

Some of Godzilla's younger fans seemed aware that Monday marked a rare opportunity to see the celebrated monster in person and on the big screen.

''This is the last movie, I'm not going to miss it,'' said 10-year old Eric Morales.

Eric and his twin brother Aaron, and 6-year-old sister Alicia are second-generation Godzilla fans. They enjoyed posing for photos with the day's unexpected visitor, Mega Godzilla.

''Godzilla destroys stuff, blows stuff up and fights monsters, you can't beat that,'' Eric said.

Godzilla premiered in Japanese theaters in the classic 1954 film ''Godzilla.''

Mako, Pat Morita and George Takai are all Japanese-American actors who have stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.