In the late 50s, Japan produced a series of nine featurettes (running well under an hour) featuring actor Ken Utsui as the hero known as "The Super Giant." In the mid 60s, a U.S. TV distributor re-edited and re-dubbed (by the famous Titra Studios) scenes from these short films into four feature-length movies sold straight to the boob tube. The character was re-named "Starman" and the films have been boggling the minds of baby boomers for years. In our versions, there's not much time for characterization, as a narrator tells us that our hero has a Globemeter (a wrist watch with a map design on it), which enables him to fly through space, detect radioactivity, and to speak and understand every language on the planet Earth.

Somewhat inspired by our own 50s "Superman" TV series with George Reeves, Starman is a being from another galaxy who wears tights, a hood, and sports cape wings under his arms, but he is able to transform into your average businessman at a given moment. He has the strength of a 100 mortals, can fly from one planet to the other, and can withstand the explosion of a nuclear bomb. Starman is a confident hero as it seems nothing can defeat him and he often laughs vigorously at his enemies before he afflicts pain on them, "Three Stooges"-style.

Setting a precedent for Japanese fantasy for years to come, children are heavily involved in the plots, and our hero is always trying to save them. There are also a number of outrageous monsters and aliens to combat, and despite the limitations of the times, there's lots of ambition shining through (the sets are very well done). Some of the special effects show Starman flying (courtesy of two piano wires--one hanging from his back and the other his rear end), and he even battles his enemies in mid air (the imperfect rear projection makes Starman's and his opponent's feet disappear in one shot).

Image Entertainment and Something Weird Video have presented all four films on DVD with these two separate double feature packages. Volume 1 contains ATTACK FROM SPACE and EVIL BRAIN FROM OUTER SPACE. EVIL BRAIN contains my personal favorite creature from all the Starman films: an acrobatic being with a bat head and a large eyeball painted on his stomach. He also breathes radioactive vapors and scrapes his enemies in the back with his deadly claws. Volume 2 contains INVADERS FROM SPACE and ATOMIC RULERS.

Although similar to the modern "Power Rangers" series, Starman's black and white presentation, archaic effects, and unintentional laughs (mostly through the courtesy of the U.S. dubbing) will appeal more to the now-adult monster kids who grew up watching these rather then their own offspring. All four features make for great Saturday afternoon entertainment, but watching them back-to-back, the plots kind of meld, so I suggest viewing Starman in small doses. At any rate, Image and SW have done a nice job presenting these four Americanized films to DVD. Running under 80 minutes each, the black and white, full frame transfers are very nice except for some print blemishes that are especially evident when camera effects are employed, as well as older stock footage.

For once, these SW packages are of a rather G-rated nature, including the extras. Supplements on Volume 1 include "super hero"-themed trailers for THE BLACK DEVIL, GOLIATH AND THE VAMPIRES, LIGHTNING BOLT, SERGEANT X OF THE FOREIGN LEGION, SUPERARGO VS. DIABOLICUS, SUPERARGO VS. THE FACELESS GIANTS, SUPER STOOGES VS. THE WONDER WOMEN and THE THREE FANTASTIC SUPERMEN. There's also an episode of the black and white Japanese cartoon "Prince Planet" (complete with AIP-TV logo) and a short film called "My Milkman, Joe," which has a friendly milkman teaching the benefits of dairy products with the help of a spaced out hand puppet. There is also an excellent, lengthy essay by August Ragone which tells everything you ever need to know about Starman and includes quotes from some of the original participants (this essay is included on the second volume as well).

Volume 2 contains another "Prince Planet" toon as well as a color American one (circa 60s) entitled "Talking of Tomorrow." "Mercury Amazing vs. Vampyrum" is a short shot on Super 8 by some kids and looks to be made in the early 80s. It features a vampire who travels in a toy spaceship (from the 70s/80s "Buck Rogers" TV show) with a clay blob that attempts to eat our Nation's capitol. Another (educational) short, "Exploring the Moon" attempts to do just that, years before we actually landed on it. (George R. Reis)

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