Cliff Harrington
Biography
Born in Seattle, Washington on June 18, 1932, military life eventually brought Harrington to Japan where he would end up teaching English for 35 years. Beyond that, he would become involved in the entertainment industry. He is perhaps best known for his brief appearance as Al in King Kong vs. Godzilla, and by happenstance ended up dubbing the voice of the helicopter pilot he sat next to (in the Japanese version). Harrington dubbed many films via William Ross and Frontier Enterprises, spending countless hours in recording studios working with Japanese technicians. He even worked as cinematographer on Robert Dunham's independent film Time Travelers. Harrington was close friends with Ross, and as such, he had more scope to negotiate his roles and work schedule. According to Richard Nieskens, Harrington eventually began to show up less and less around the late 80's and early 90's, having grown bored of the process after so many decades. The country afforded Harrington the chance to use his college journalism training as a writer and photographer to meet and interview movie stars and other celebrities who came to Tokyo from other countries, including the likes of Mel Gibson, Muhammad Ali, Charlton Heston, and Robert Mitchum. Harrington married his wife Tomoko in 1988 and moved to Kyushu in 2011 to be closer to his wife's aging parents. He fell ill sometime in early 2013 and never recovered. He passed away in Kyushu on August 9 at the age of 81.
Known For & Full Filmography6 Titles
Movie - 1962, 2h 15m • as Al (uncredited)
The advertising director of Pacific Pharmaceuticals, frustrated with the low ratings of their sponsored TV program, seeks a more sensationalist approach. He orders his staff to Faro Island to capture King Kong for exploitation. As Godzilla re-emerges, a media frenzy generates with Pacific looking to capitalize off of the ultimate battle.
Movie - 1963, 2h 15m • as Al (uncredited)
When an underhanded pharmaceutical company goes to a remote tropical island to steal King Kong for advertising purposes, they get more than they bargained for when the gigantic ape attacks an unsuspecting village and an enormous octopus.
Movie - 1964, 2h 15m • Main Cast Role
Featuring an all-star cast and on-location shooting in Japan, where the story is set, three US Air Force rescue pilots must overcome their personal problems and differences to embark upon a dangerous mission to save raft-bound Japanese survivors from a murderous storm-tossed sea. As they head for their location, the film flashes back to chronicle the pasts of each pilot to make clear their mixed feelings about their upcoming assignment.
Movie - 1979, 2h 15m • as Mark Gordon / Commander Robinson / Narrator / Additional Voices (voice)
"Their dark power is supreme. Their evil empire is vast. They are the Bozanians. And they have blasted their way across the galaxy for war on earth and to make the human race submit to their rule! But an elite band of five valiant children stand against them-the VOLTUS 5 team! For they can transform their 5 spaceships into a mighty, gigantic robot capable of withstanding any force. But can they defend the earth from the Bozanians' monstrous evil?!" - US VHS Back Cover . A compilation film of five episodes (1-3,9,18) that was dubbed by Frontier Enterprises . The film was commissioned to Toei by the Filipino film distributor "UNIPROM FILMS". Based on the Filipino English dub from 1978, with character names that reflect that version.
Movie - 1969, 2h 15m • as Nita / Red Bamboo scientist / policeman (voices)
While searching for his missing brother, Ryota finds the criminal Yoshimura hiding on a yacht. With a few friends, they decide to set course for Leichi Island which happens to be in the hands of gangsters who are holding the natives of Infant Island captive. Ryota and his friends discover that not only near the island lies the monster Ebirah, the monster Godzilla is also on the island. A battle ensues between the two monsters.
Movie - 1962, 2h 15m • Main Cast Role
Journalist Kuroki is investigating clandestine arms sales to Southeast Asia. He discovers that the point man in an arms trade was also involved in the cover-up of a murder on an American base during the Allied Occupation. The film rolls along as a suspenseful thriller while offering a critique of political corruption, hypocrisy, and journalistic cowardice in postwar Japan.