Warning from Space (1956)

UFOs are seen around Tokyo. Because they look like giant starfish the aliens cannot approach us without creating panic. Hence one of them sacrifices itself and takes the form of a popular ... See full summary »

Director:

Kôji Shima

Writers:

Jay Cipes (English dialogue) (as Jay H. Cipes), Gentaro Nakajima (story)

Stars:

Keizô Kawasaki, Toyomi Karita, Bin Yagisawa

5 wins.

Cast

Credited cast:
Keizô Kawasaki	...	Dr. Toru Itsobe
Toyomi Karita	...	Hikari Aozora / Ginko
Bin Yagisawa	...	No. 2 Pairan
Shôzô Nanbu	...	The Elder Dr. Itsobe
Bontarô Miake	...	Dr. Kamura (as Bontaro Miake)
Mieko Nagai	...	Taeko Kamura
Kiyoko Hirai	...	Mrs. Matsuda
Isao Yamagata	...	Dr. Matsuda
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Gai Harada
Yûzô Hayakawa	...	Policeman
Kanji Kawahara	...	Dr. Takashima
Sachiko Meguro	...	Mrs. Tokuko Isobe
Toshiyuki Obara	...	News Repoter Hoshino (USA) / Hideno (Japan)
Fumiko Okamura	...	Japanese Bar' Ucyû-ken' Madam Ohana
Shikô Saitô	...	Mystery Man (as Shiko Saito)

Storyline

UFOs are seen around Tokyo. Because they look like giant starfish the aliens cannot approach us without creating panic. Hence one of them sacrifices itself and takes the form of a popular female singer. It/she warns mankind that a meteor will crash on Earth. While the approaching meteor causes hotter and hotter weather, mankind runs and builds a last-chance anti-meteor weapon.

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Plot Keywords:

ufo | outer space | monster disguised as human | space station | end of the world | 

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Genres:

Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

29 January 1956 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Warning from Space

Company Credits

Production Co:

Daiei Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min 88 min (dubbed)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Daieicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Warning From Space was released in Japan on 29 January 1956. Daiei also hoped to find a foreign market for Warning from Space, though the company found difficulty in selling it. Nevertheless, the film played at both King Cinema in Rangoon, Burma and Tai Khoon Theatre in Sandakan, Malaysia, in 1958. The film did help Daiei achieve some success in the genre. It was passed for release, anglicized as Warning from Space, by the BBFC in the United Kingdom in 1957, and later in the United States in 1963. The film was also released as The Mysterious Satellite in some areas. It was shown in the U.S. by American International Television later in the 1960s as Warning From Space. The film was released in Spain as Asalto a la Tierra, and in France as Le Satellite Mystérieux. Warning from Space has since fallen into the public domain, allowing companies to distribute the film for free on DVD.

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Alternate Versions

The U.S. English dubbed version titled "Warning From Space" (1956) is quite faithful to the original Japanese version. However, at the final fade-out an additional sequence is added showing Ginko (Toyomi Karita) transforming from the human form back to the Pairan form. They simply took the transformation sequence, showing Ginko transforming into the human form, from earlier in the film and printed it in reverse.

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Connections

Edited into Muchachada nui: Episode #1.3 (2007)

User Reviews

When you wish upon a star

Well, I just viewed this Japanese film for the first time on the ALPHA VIDEO DVD release and was able to sit through it without being completely bored.

So, all is good with this film. But keep in mind: It's nowhere near as good as "THE MYSTERIONS" (Toho's alien film from the late fifties). There are NO GIANT MONSTERS IN THIS FILM.

I understand it's Japan's FIRST COLOR SCI-FI MOVIE; so that's something to keep in mind. The budget was quite high for this movie.

And here's an open letter to ALPHA VIDEO: What's with the video transfer that looks like it was copied from a VHS tape? It's not as bad as numerous generation dubs of some schlock I've seen because the audio and video are a bit noisy yet passable, but could your company not find a better master copy?? Just curious...

Anyways, the star creatures from some UFOs try to warn Earth that a planet is going to collide with the Earth (or something like that), and they try to help the Earthlings with this by sharing the news. The problem is that most people find human-sized Starfish to be quite shocking and won't be inviting any over for sushi anytime soon. So, the Star creatures realize that "sex sells" and decide to transform one of their own as Japan's version of Celine Dion (or Charro, depending on your preference) and this "woman" tries to warn Earth of what's happening.

If you're into this sort of thing, by all means check it out for its historical film merit.