Dogora (1964)

An amorphous cellular life-form descends from the atmosphere to consume carbon in the form of diamonds.

Director:

Ishirô Honda

Writers:

Jôjirô Okami (story "Space Mons"), Shin'ichi Sekizawa

Stars:

Yôsuke Natsuki, Yôko Fujiyama, Hiroshi Koizumi

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Yôsuke Natsuki	...	Inspector Kommei
Yôko Fujiyama	...	Masayo Kirino
Hiroshi Koizumi	...	Kirino
Nobuo Nakamura	...	Dr. Munakata
Robert Dunham	...	Mark Jackson (as Dan Yuma)
Akiko Wakabayashi	...	Hamako the Gangster Moll
Jun Tazaki	...	Chief Inspector
Susumu Fujita	...	General Iwasa
Seizaburô Kawazu	...	Gangster Boss
Hideyo Amamoto	...	Maki the Safecracker
Haruya Katô	...	Sabu the Small Fry
Yoshifumi Tajima	...	Gangster
Nadao Kirino	...	Gangster
Akira Wakamatsu	...	Gangster
Jun Funato	...	Inspector Nitta

Storyline

Several satellites have been destroyed without explanation. A few days later, a group of diamond thieves are thwarted when the gems they are after suddenly disappear. Strangely enough, the two incidents are connected when scientists discover that a giant jellyfish like creature, which was mutated due to a high amount of radiation hovering over Japan, is drawing up all carbon based matter, including coal and diamonds. Soon the creature is also attacking bridges and ships. Can anything be done to destroy the creature before he begins drawing up all mankind?

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Plot Keywords:

jellyfish | dead woman on a beach | kaiju | gangster's moll | space monster | 

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Taglines:

SOS From Earth. It Devours Buildings and People.

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Genres:

Crime | Horror | Sci-Fi

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Did You Know?

Trivia

"Dagora" is mentioned in a Season 2 episode of the sitcom "Sanford and Son." Redd Foxx's character, Fred Sanford, has a taste for monster movies. He refers to it as "Dagora, the Space Monster," for this was how the title appeared in TV Guide issues from the 1970s.

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Goofs

In the scenes featuring the smaller Dogoras, the strings holding them up are clearly seen.

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Crazy Credits

The U.S. English dubbed version, released by American International under the title "Dagora, The Space Monster," has all of the cast and credits removed. The picture and sound contain an awkward jump from the main title to the first scene. It is believed that American International, for unknown reasons, physically cut the cast and credits from their initial release prints.

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Connections

Referenced in Adjust Your Tracking (2013)

User Reviews

(Toho) Diamonds are Forever!

Watching this film is an enjoyable event. With a cast of hilarious and respected actors and actresses, this movie is one of the funniest and greatest Toho sci-fi movies I've seen. It starts off with an intriguing intro of how a scientist discovers disappearing satellites in space.

Then, it kicks off to these band of outrageous gangsters who wants sparkling diamonds for their loot. The suspense builds when some of the gangsters get lifted up into the air by an unknown phenomenon, later known as Dagora (or Dogara) the Space Monster, who has a thing for diamonds. Instead of buildings, vehicles, bridges, and structures crushing to the floor, they actually rise to the air as Dagora lifts away everything in its path. Dagora is seen in many shapes and sizes, including a giant jellyfish (with "animated" tentacles), shining "stars," and a floating piece of genetic-like substance. Screenplay writer Shinichi Sekizawa did an excellent job on the script.

The scientists trying to figure out a weapon in order to use to defend Japan from Dagora while the detectives try to nab the diamond lovers couldn't be more inspiring and intriguing in this movie. Composer Akira Ifukube gave a haunting and terrific music score and director Ishiro Honda directed one of his best. Some hilarious parts in the movie includes the part where the character Inspector Kommei tries to shoot a gun, only with confetti coming out; the part where Eiji the Safecracker eats a sugar crystal (which he later found out is a fake diamond) and then laughs like a hyena; the scenes of karate fights and the part where the Gangster Moll asks the train conductor to show her where to make a call when the phone is actually a few inches away from her! The only jewelry oriented monster sci-fi flick I've seen, this film is to be watched by all sci-fi fans. There are some plot-holes here and there, like why did the gangsters have to wait so long to steal the diamonds from Jackson, and why did the Gangster Moll have to call her crew to come meet her, since she wants the diamonds all to herself anyways? Could have used more action and suspense from the gangsters, but overall, a fun film. You'll never wear a diamond necklace or diamond ring the same way again.

Grade A-

Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

11 August 1964 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Dogora

Filming Locations:

Fukuoka, Japan

Company Credits

Production Co:

Toho Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

83 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1