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

3 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

The enormous popularity of Toho's giant monster films led Daiei to issue publicity stills showing the Pairans as gigantic creatures that towered over buildings. In the film, the Pairans are human sized.

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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

References The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)

User Reviews

Warning from space.

Originally released in Japan as UNKNOWN SATELLITE OVER TOKYO. Astronomers in Japan discovers an extraterrestrial satellite orbiting in space. Aliens visit Earth to warn of impending doom. The visitors arrive by flying saucers first believed to be meteorites. The aliens that look like giant one-eyed starfish have the ability to assume human form. The visitors bring a desperate message concerning a runaway planet on a collision course with Earth that would by all means destroy our world. The aliens do have a plan. Tidal waves engulf cities like Tokyo and London causing chaos in the streets. Human scientists combine their technology with the exceptional alien brainpower to save this planet Earth. The special effects are somewhat comical...especially the baggy starfish costumes. Starring in this Japanese Sci-Fi are: Keizo Kawasaki, Toyomi Karita, Isao Yamagata and Bontaro Miyake.