Jun Fukuda

Jun Fukuda (福田純, Fukuda Jun, February 17, 1923 - December 3, 2000) is a Japanese film director, writer and producer. Fukuda was probably the second most prominent director of Toho sci-fi behind Ishiro Honda. He grew up in Manchuria during the Japanese occupation, and was a poor student, preferring leisure activities to studying. He was picked up by Toho during a recruitment drive and became an assistant director, working under Hiroshi Inagaki and Ishiro Honda. The Secret of the Telegian (1960) was his second film as director, and his first sci-fi effort.
Fukuda’s films had significantly more movement and energy when compared to Honda’s films from the same period. For this reason he preferred to work with composer Masaru Sato, since Sato’s jazzy style complimented his directorial sensibilities more than that of genre regular Akira Ifukube, which was more somber. Fukuda had a more hands on approach with special effects, often treading into what had traditionally been the exclusive jurisdiction of the special effects staff.His last film was The War in Space (1977).
== Career ==
Jun Fukuda would spend his childhood in Manchuria before attending Nihon University College of Art. His interests would lead him to filmmaking and in 1946 he joined Toho as an assistant director. In his tenure as an assistant director, he would work under filmmakers such as Hiroshi Inagaki and Ishirô Honda, leading to his first work in special effects filmmaking with Rodan (1956). His career as a full-fledged director would take off in 1959. His early work leaned more towards mystery but he began to expand into more action and comedic centric works by the mid-1960s. Around this time, Toho gave Fukuda the opportunity to direct a Godzilla film. Beginning with Ebirah, Horror of the Deep (1966), Fukuda would become Toho's go to director for special effects films after Ishiro Honda. 
Fukuda's films would develop a unique identity beginning with his his choice to replace series composer Akira Ifukube with Masaru Satô. His films would be full of colorful characters and vibrant action demonstrating his filmmaking craftsmanship. During his career he would direct five Godzilla films, along with espionage films and comedies. He would also write the un-produced screenplays of The Invisible Man and Invisible Man vs. the Human Torch. While Fukuda was known to harbor a disdain for his work, he would seem to develop an understanding of what his work met to people as fans would send him letters and messages during his final years. Fukuda would passed away from lung cancer on December 3, 2000, at the age of 77.
== Filmography ==
* All films on IMDB