Abe Seiji went
on to help co-produce most of the Kamen Rider movies including
“Go Go Kamen Rider” (1971), “Kamen Rider
Tai Shocker” (1971), “Kamen Rider Tai Jigoku Taishi”
(1972), “Kamen Rider V3” (1973), “Kamen
Rider V3 Tai Destron” (1973), “Kamen Rider X”
(1974), “Go-Nin Kamen Rider Tai King Dark” (1974),
“Kamen Rider Amazon” (1975), “Kamen Rider
Stronger” (1975). He also helped co-produce “The
Kage Star” (1976) and “Kagaku Sentai Dynaman”
(1983). He acted as producer for “Kamen Rider –
Hachi Nin Rider Tai Ginga Oh” (1980) and “Kamen
Rider Super One” (1981).
Takemoto Hirokazu directed episodes for “Captain Ultra”
(1967), and later went on to direct episodes of “Uchu
Tetsujin Kyodain” (1976), “Spider-Man” (1978)
and “Denji Sentai Denjiman” (1980).
Ikami Masaru went on to write on such projects as “Go
Go Kamen Rider” (1971), “Kamen Rider Tai Shocker”
(1971), “Kamen Rider Tai Jigoku Taishi” (1972),
“Henshin Ninja Arashi” (1972), “Kyojin Barom
One” (1972), “Kamen Rider V3” (1973), “Kamen
Rider V3 Tai Destron” (1973), “Kamen Rider X”
(1974), “Go-Nin Kamen Rider Tai King Dark” (1974),
“Kamen Rider Stronger” (1975), “Dai Tetsujin
One Seven”.
Jazz Musician/Composer Yamashita Takeo has done music scores
for a number of projects including “Giant Robo”
, “Shichi Nin No Keiji” and “Okawa Echizen”.
Next to “Playgirl” the series that he is most
often identified with is “Lupin The Third” to
which he composed the catchy jazzy theme.
During its run, a whopping twenty two (22) actresses were
part of the "PLAYGIRL(s)" at one time or another.
Most of the actresses were regular bit players of Nikkatsu
and Toei Films. Some were also models, pinups and/or singers.
Usually each episode featured no more than five of the girls
at one time. Each episode would try to rotate the cast around
but inevitably some of the actresses were featured more often
than others, due to their popularity among audience members.
With its unique brand of risqué humor, sexy action
and touch of T & A, the show commanded at one time almost
an unprecedented 17.8% rating.
Amazingly, “Playgirl” pre-dates “Charlie’s
Angels” by a good 6 years! Yet the similarities are
almost too shocking (Could Aaron Spelling have gone to Japan
at one time and catch an episode?)
Very similar in style to "The Avengers" and "Honey
West".
While the “Playgirl” TV Series is technically
unrelated to the Adult Magazine “Playboy” &
“Playgirl”, the look and feel of the show did
hint at and play on the adult magazine's popularity, even
going so far as to spoof the style of their logo font.
Multi-talented Togawa Masako was a Scriptwriter, author and
chanson singer. She was born in 1933 in Tokyo, Japan. Lost
her father and brother in WWII. Rose to fame as a chanson
singer after the war. Became infatuated with Mystery Novels
and began work as a writer. In 1962 won the “Edogawa
Ranpo Award” for her novel “Okinaru Genei”
(The Growing Illusion). A year later so wrote the novel “Kari
Nin Nikki” (Story of A Hunter) which won her more attention
with its bold sexual content. Has written steadily since then.
“Playgirl” is based her original screenplay.
Sawa Tamaki was born Yamamoto Masako in 1937 in Kanegawa
Prefecture. She won first prize on the Radio Contest “Daigaku
Kachinuki Utagatsen” (The Collegiate Elimination Singing
Contest). Made her singing debut in 1956 with the song “Bedo
De Tabacco O Suwanaide” (Don’t Smoke In Bed).
After “Playgirl” she went on to star on the hit
variety program “Koizumi No Quiz Derby” (Koizumi’s
Quiz Derby). In 1996, she ran for public office as part of
the “Sokagattkai” group of the “Tomei”
Party. In 1998, she won a seat as a member of the House of
Councilors and became a Committee Member on the Japanese Welfare
Ministry’s Labor Relations Board. Sawa reprised her
role as former “Playgirl” leader Sawamura Tamaki
in the 2003 theatrical remake of “Playgirl”. Shortly
after, Sawa passed away in August of 2003 due to a heart ailment.
Midori Mako also starred in the cult movie favorite “Moju”
(AKA Blind Beast).
Multi-talented Oh Ranfan has appeared in a number of films
and TV series under a variety of names including Kondo Shigeko,
Mise Shigeko, In Ranfan and Oh Chu Ki. Born in 1938 in London,
England to Chinese Parents who were naturalized Japanese Citizens,
Oh Ranfan soon returned to Japan after the War and eventually
entered a career in acting. She is probably most familiar
to audiences as the beautiful “Moru” (Silvar)
in the Tokusatsu series “Magma Taishi” (Ambassador
Magma AKA Space Giants; Fuji TV, 1966). A real life “thrill
seeker”, Oh Ranfan is an accomplished scuba diver and
skydiver even in her 60’s.
Yashiro Machiko also co-starred with Oh Ranfan in the series
“Magma Taishi”, where she portrayed Mamoru’s
(AKA Mikko) always supportive mother Murakami Tomoko.
Exotic model/actress Han Bunjaku first wowed audiences as
“June Sanders” in the immensely popular Woman’s
Volleyball drama “Sign Wa V” (The Sign is V(ictory);
TBS, 1969). Born in Tokyo, Japan in 1948 to Chinese Parents
who were naturalized Japanese citizens, she first started
out as a magazine and fashion model. Graduated from Sophia
University majoring in International Studies. Also starred
in another wildly popular Japanese Detective series, “G-Men
‘75” (TBS, 1975) where she portrayed the gutsy
Inspector Yoshikawa. Passed away due to heart failure in November
2002 at the young age of 54. Used the odd stage name of “Han
The Maja” (Han The Enigma) when she starred in Playgirl.
Tall and leggy Oshida Reiko starred in a couple of Toei “Sukeban”
sexploitation movies including “Zubeko Bancho: Yume
O Yoru Hiraku” (Dreams Open The Night; Toei, 1970) and
“Zubeko Bancho: Tokyo Nagare Mono” (Tokyo Wanderers;
Toei, 1970). The Kyoto native also released a couple of song
singles as an artist under the Sony Music label.
Sweet faced Katayama Yumiko first made her mark as Agent
U5 in "GIANT ROBO" (AKA Johnny Sakko & His Flying
Robot; NET, 1967). Shedding her “nice girl” image,
Katayama soon reappeared as a sexy brown-haired “bad
girl” in a number of Toei’s “Sukeban”
Movies such as “Zenkan Onna: Koroshi Bushi” (Woman
Criminal: Killer's Song; Toei, 1973), “Jyoshu 701 Go:
Sasori” (Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion; Toei, 1972),
and “Bankoku Roku” (Juvenile Rock; Toei, 1972).
Fuda Mimi, who played the youngest member of the “Playgirl(s)”
also portrayed Yurika (BattleHawk Queen) in the Tokusatsu
Show “Battle Hawk” (Tokyo TV/Dynamic Pro, 1976).
Watanabe Yayoi is also another veteran of the Toei’s
“Sukeban” and exploitation movies and has had
supporting roles in such films as “Jyoshu 701 Go: Sasori”
(Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion; Toei, 1972), “Jyoshu
Sasori – Kemono No Beya” (Female Prisoner Scorpion
– Beast’s Lair”; Toei, 1973), “Jyoshu
Sasori – Urami Bushi” (Female Prisoner Scorpion
– Grudge Song”; Toei, 1973), “Wolf Guy –
Moerou Okami Otoko” (Wolf Guy – Burn; Toei, 1975),
“Bosou Panic – Dai Gekitotsu” (Wild Panic
– Big Clash; Toei, 1976), “Onna Bancho Blues –
Mesu Bachi No Gyakushu” (Female Juvenile Boss –
Revenge of The Queen Bee; Toei, 1971), and “Seijyu Gakuen”
(AKA School of the Holy Beast; Toei, 1974).
Yanami Eiko has appeared in “Gamera Tai Shingai Kaijyu
Zigra” (AKA Gamera vs. Zigra; Daiei, 1971) as Lady X
(Research Officer Sugahara Chikako of the Japanese World Moon
Base).
Tokusatsu Idol Hishimi Yuriko made many a kid swoon as the
darling Officer Yuri Anne in the seminal Ultraman series “Ultra
Seven” (Tsuburaya/TBS, 1968). Shedding her “nice
girl” image, Hishimi Yuriko displayed her more “adult”
side as Hishida Yuriko in “Playgirl”. Hishimi
continued to take on more “bad girl” roles in
bit parts for such Toei “exploitation” films as
“Furyo Bancho – Ichimodaijin” (Juvenile
Delinquents – The Big Roundup; Toei, 1971), “Furyo
Bancho – Honemade Shabure” (Juvenile Delinquents
– Grind To The Bone; Toei, 1972), “Shin Jinginaki
Tatakei – Kumicho No Kubi” (New – Fight
Without Honor or Humanity – The Boss’ Neck; Toei,
1975). She also can be seen briefly in the movie “Chikyu
Kogeki Meirei: Gojira Tai Gaigan” (AKA Godzilla vs.
Gigan/Godzilla On Monster Island; Toho, 1972). She has appeared
in a variety of Men’s Magazines including nude portfolios
and coffee table books. Recently a number of oversized books
have been released featuring many of Hishimi’s pinup
photos and nude layouts. She briefly returned to the “Ultra”
series in “Ultraman Zearth 2” (Tsuburaya/Shochiku;
1997).
Obari Sanae can also be seen in such movies as “Onna
Hissatsu Ken” (AKA Sister Streetfighter; Toei, 1974),
“Onna Bancho – Tamatsuki Asobi” (Female
Juvenile Boss – Billiards; Toei, 1974) and “Seijyu
Gakuen” (AKA School of the Holy Beast; Toei, 1974). |
