The H-Man, Oozing Gangster vs the Lounge Singer

Ishiro Honda was not through warning the world against A-bombs and H-bombs after his original "Godzilla."  In 1958 there were now two nuclear powers with more on the horizon.  Perhaps his message was now growing in importance.  What better way to deliver a once ignored plea for peace and harmony than to shelve the dinosaur creature in favor of ooze!  Ooze, some exotic dancers, and a sultry lounge singer in slinky gowns.  Today we look at 1958's "The H-Man," directed by Mr. Honda.

A Tokyo gangster is fleeing a heist.  Misaki (Hisaya Ito) is panicked by whatever he stole which he has contained in a black bag.  Now his buddies double-cross him and Misaki shoots whatever is in the bag.  In the pouring rain, Misaki melts and is washed down the sewer drain.  Inspector Tominaga (Akihiko Hirata) arrives at the scene and a big investigation begins.  They are looking for Misaki.  Meanwhile, the sultry Chikako (Yumi Shirakawa) seduces her audience after the exotic dancers warmed them up.  She is Misaki's honey.  The beauty is now under investigation by an aggressive Tominaga and wanted by Misaki's thug friends.  Uh oh...something else wants her.  One by one, Misaki's buddies are attacked by a watery slime which engulfs them and dissolves them.

Chikako is almost murdered by one of these thugs when the poor sap dissolved.  Enter dweeb scientist Dr. Masada (Kenji Sahara).  He has studied the effects of H-Bomb testing on humans.  Masada believes the radiation from these tests dissolves people into an ooze that is still very much alive.  The ooze continues eating thugs and even some nubile exotic dancers.  Masada falls in love with Chikako, as will you, and Chikako keeps donning shiny and tight gowns and performing with bikini clad exotic dancers.  Looks like Misaki, in his new form, wants Chikako back.  Now our beauty must survive Tokyo gangsters and a hopelessly in love ooze (a metaphor for all us guys?).  Never fear.  He may drool and stutter a lot, but Dr. Masada intends to save the sultry singer and rid Tokyo of their latest menace.

If Misaki does get Chikako back, what will passion look like between the two of them?  Trading in Godzilla for a watery ooze, can we assume Mr. Honda was facing the horrors that are present when funding for his projects dry up?  Will the bikini clad exotic dancers have anything to say or jiggle about when faced with a watery menace?  This is a good and atmospheric one, shot kind of like a film noir film.  For a semi-unusual, and alluring Japanese horror film that blows "Godzilla" away in the cheese factor, see "The H-Man."