October 29th saw the release of many wonderful things. Warner Bros. put out the complete Batman Beyond series on Blu-ray. And thanks to Shout Factory, the 1988 Blob remake will finally got a proper re-release that isn't limited to only 5,000 copies. Of course, as a Godzilla fan, nothing has me more ecstatic than the Criterion Collection's release of the complete Godzilla Showa series.
This is truly a wonderful time, for years we've had plenty of box sets containing the original Godzilla movies but no one outside of Japan had access to a complete collection. The American releasing rights for these films have been divided between many companies including Video Treasures, GoodTimes, Simitar, Paramount, StarMaker Entertainment, Anchor Bay, Columbia/Tristar, Classic Media, Kraken Releasing, Media Blasters...the list goes on.
Then in late 2017, Janus Films, the distribution company behind the Criterion Collection, announced they had acquired the rights to a good number of the original Godzilla movies that had yet to be released on Blu-ray. Fans were hopeful, but nothing could prepare us for the news that would follow just a few years later.
To celebrate this momentous occasion, I thought it would be a good idea to look at the original Godzilla Showa series and give my thoughts on the films, at least the ones I haven't already looked at yet.
For the first two movies I'll be talking about are so radically different from each other and might seem like a weird pairing, but to me it makes perfect sense. After I saw my first Godzilla movie, I needed more. I went to my local Blockbuster Video to try and get my hands on as many Godzilla movies as I could. And these two movies were among my first offerings of Godzilla.
Boy was I confused. One movie was in black and white and the other looked like it had been made decades before the first movie I watched. It's quite common for most Godzilla fans getting into the series that the order in which the movies were watched were not in their original release order. A lot of this has to do with availability of the movies themselves weather it be at a video store or on television, there's bound to be some confusion.
The whiplash I felt will hopefully become less common as this new collection becomes available to American audiences.
Then in late 2017, Janus Films, the distribution company behind the Criterion Collection, announced they had acquired the rights to a good number of the original Godzilla movies that had yet to be released on Blu-ray. Fans were hopeful, but nothing could prepare us for the news that would follow just a few years later.
To celebrate this momentous occasion, I thought it would be a good idea to look at the original Godzilla Showa series and give my thoughts on the films, at least the ones I haven't already looked at yet.
For the first two movies I'll be talking about are so radically different from each other and might seem like a weird pairing, but to me it makes perfect sense. After I saw my first Godzilla movie, I needed more. I went to my local Blockbuster Video to try and get my hands on as many Godzilla movies as I could. And these two movies were among my first offerings of Godzilla.
Boy was I confused. One movie was in black and white and the other looked like it had been made decades before the first movie I watched. It's quite common for most Godzilla fans getting into the series that the order in which the movies were watched were not in their original release order. A lot of this has to do with availability of the movies themselves weather it be at a video store or on television, there's bound to be some confusion.
The whiplash I felt will hopefully become less common as this new collection becomes available to American audiences.
GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN
(Original Title: "Gojira No Gyakushu" -Godzilla's Counterattack-)April 24, 1955
While Godzilla Raids Again was one of the earliest Godzilla movies I remember renting from Blockbuster. To be honest, I don't exactly remember my initial thoughts on it. I watched it, took it back and I never saw it again after that. It's not that I didn't want to watch it, but the Blockbuster I rented it from had removed it from their selection. Even with the release of the Roland Emmerich film when Blockbusters had an entire section dedicated to Godzilla with dozens of films available to rent, Godzilla Raids Again was nowhere to be seen.
For years it seemed like it was doomed to be a lost Godzilla film, never to see a release on DVD in the United States.
Then in the summer of 2007 I stopped by a Virgin Megastore (back when they were still in the United States) and nothing could prepare me for the surprise I would find. While scouring through the movie isles I see a DVD that says "Godzilla Raids Again." I thought I had to have been dreaming. There was no way this was real, but there it was in my hand. I immediately bought it and could not wait to take it home and finally rewatch it after so many years. And after I was done, I realized that maybe there was a reason I didn't remember much about it besides the ending.
For years it seemed like it was doomed to be a lost Godzilla film, never to see a release on DVD in the United States.
Then in the summer of 2007 I stopped by a Virgin Megastore (back when they were still in the United States) and nothing could prepare me for the surprise I would find. While scouring through the movie isles I see a DVD that says "Godzilla Raids Again." I thought I had to have been dreaming. There was no way this was real, but there it was in my hand. I immediately bought it and could not wait to take it home and finally rewatch it after so many years. And after I was done, I realized that maybe there was a reason I didn't remember much about it besides the ending.
The story revolves around the appearance of another Godzilla who does battle with a second giant monster named Anguirus while 2 pilots are caught up in the effort to stop them.
The original Godzilla was a huge hit, especially in Japan so Toho wasted no time getting a sequel into production, with most of the crew returning under the direction of Motoyoshi Oda. This one was released a little over 5 months later, meaning production took less time than the production time between King Kong and Son of Kong, and it shows.
The most notable thing about the film is that this is the first time we get to see Godzilla fight another monster, a staple that would go on to define the rest of the series. Haruo Nakajima once again stepped in the Godzilla suit which was slimmed down considerably this time while Anguirus was played by Katsumi Tezuka. Tezuka was also set to play Godzilla in the original film but found it hard to perform in the early suits, it is not known how much if any of his work in the Godzilla suit is featured in the final film.
Tezuka and Nakajima's fight in Godzilla Raids Again is certainly something to behold, especially given the way it was shot. While filming the fight scenes, the camera was accidentally set at a slower filming speed which resulted in the monster fights showing up as much faster than usual. Although the results were bizarre, Eiji Tsuburaya must have liked them enough that he decided not to reshoot the scenes. Honestly, I like how fast the fighting looks in the movie. The way both monsters wail on each other looks downright animalistic, with lots of clawing and biting.
Masaru Sato provides the music for this film. He delivers a fantastic opening title while most of the score consists of slower somber pieces. The score itself is not as great as some of the other films, but it is quite still quite good. However, this would not be the last time Sato did the score for a Godzilla movie.
Unfortunately, those are the only remarkable things about this film. The characters are certainly not as great or memorable as the cast of the first film. Hiroshi Koizumi and Minoru Chiaki as our leads Tsukioka and Kobayashi don't carry the film remarkably well. Not even the brief return of Takashi Shimura as Dr. Yamane leaves much of a lasting impression.
Tsuburaya's effects are about as top notch as they can be despite a rushed production schedule. The Godzilla suit still looks good, however the hand puppet used for close up shots is distractedly derpy with it's eyes and awfully portruding teeth.
As average a film as Godzilla Raids Again is though, the journey that this movie took to be shown in America cannot be described without using the word cluster.
In 1957, Toho sold the distribution rights to a company who wanted to completely rewrite the movie into a story about a Tyrannosaurus and an Ankylosaurus who wake up from their slumber inside a volcano and make their way to San Francisco to do battle. This project was titled "The Volcano Monsters" and apparently Toho was on board with this and even sent over the costumes for Godzilla and Anguirus so that new scenes can be shot. But before production could begin as fate would have it, the company went under and the project was cancelled. Even worse, the costumes went missing.
A year later, the film fell into the hands of a producer named Paul Schreibman, who actually helped bring the original Godzilla overseas. The film was re-titled "Gigantis, The Fire Monster" in an attempt to fool people into thinking this was in no way a Godzilla movie.
(It didn't work...at all.)
Even more perplexing is the fact that the dub often mistakenly refers to Godzilla ("Gigantis") as Anguirus it gets even more confusing with the fact that Anguirus' roar is used in place of Godzilla's roar.
The dub overall is just not very good, some of the dumbest lines imaginable can be found in this version. George Takei, who worked on Gigantis recalls the story about how they had to find a word that matched the lip movements of "bakayaro" ('Stupid' in Japanese) and the best that they could come up with was: Banana Oil!
You.Read.That.Right.
As was the case with later American releases of Godzilla music, Masaru Sato's score would be replaced with stock library music used in other Warner Bros. movies. Because god forbid the movie has a single quiet moment, right?
The only way I can possibly recommend the American recut (renamed 'Godzilla Raids Again' when it finally got released on DVD) is if you can gather a bunch of friends together, get some food, and sit down and watch it MST3K style.
I still feel the original version is not as horrible as some other entries in the series. It's not a great movie but I don't hate it enough to consider skipping it during marathons.
While Godzilla Raids Again did well financially, it was not favorably received by audiences. Toho would ultimately put Godzilla on hiatus and focus on other projects including Rodan and Mothra. But as history has shown again and again, Godzilla never stays gone forever...
The original Godzilla was a huge hit, especially in Japan so Toho wasted no time getting a sequel into production, with most of the crew returning under the direction of Motoyoshi Oda. This one was released a little over 5 months later, meaning production took less time than the production time between King Kong and Son of Kong, and it shows.
The most notable thing about the film is that this is the first time we get to see Godzilla fight another monster, a staple that would go on to define the rest of the series. Haruo Nakajima once again stepped in the Godzilla suit which was slimmed down considerably this time while Anguirus was played by Katsumi Tezuka. Tezuka was also set to play Godzilla in the original film but found it hard to perform in the early suits, it is not known how much if any of his work in the Godzilla suit is featured in the final film.
Masaru Sato provides the music for this film. He delivers a fantastic opening title while most of the score consists of slower somber pieces. The score itself is not as great as some of the other films, but it is quite still quite good. However, this would not be the last time Sato did the score for a Godzilla movie.
Tsuburaya's effects are about as top notch as they can be despite a rushed production schedule. The Godzilla suit still looks good, however the hand puppet used for close up shots is distractedly derpy with it's eyes and awfully portruding teeth.
As average a film as Godzilla Raids Again is though, the journey that this movie took to be shown in America cannot be described without using the word cluster.
In 1957, Toho sold the distribution rights to a company who wanted to completely rewrite the movie into a story about a Tyrannosaurus and an Ankylosaurus who wake up from their slumber inside a volcano and make their way to San Francisco to do battle. This project was titled "The Volcano Monsters" and apparently Toho was on board with this and even sent over the costumes for Godzilla and Anguirus so that new scenes can be shot. But before production could begin as fate would have it, the company went under and the project was cancelled. Even worse, the costumes went missing.
(It didn't work...at all.)
Even more perplexing is the fact that the dub often mistakenly refers to Godzilla ("Gigantis") as Anguirus it gets even more confusing with the fact that Anguirus' roar is used in place of Godzilla's roar.
The dub overall is just not very good, some of the dumbest lines imaginable can be found in this version. George Takei, who worked on Gigantis recalls the story about how they had to find a word that matched the lip movements of "bakayaro" ('Stupid' in Japanese) and the best that they could come up with was: Banana Oil!
You.Read.That.Right.
As was the case with later American releases of Godzilla music, Masaru Sato's score would be replaced with stock library music used in other Warner Bros. movies. Because god forbid the movie has a single quiet moment, right?
The only way I can possibly recommend the American recut (renamed 'Godzilla Raids Again' when it finally got released on DVD) is if you can gather a bunch of friends together, get some food, and sit down and watch it MST3K style.
I still feel the original version is not as horrible as some other entries in the series. It's not a great movie but I don't hate it enough to consider skipping it during marathons.
While Godzilla Raids Again did well financially, it was not favorably received by audiences. Toho would ultimately put Godzilla on hiatus and focus on other projects including Rodan and Mothra. But as history has shown again and again, Godzilla never stays gone forever...
KING KONG VS. GODZILLA
MOTHRA VS. GODZILLA
GHIDORAH, THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER
(Original Title: "Kaiju Daisenso" -Great Monster War-)
AKA: Godzilla vs. Monster Zero
AKA: Monster Zero
December 19, 1964
While Godzilla Raids Again essentially became a lost movie, Godzilla vs. Monster Zero was much more widely available on home video and television. That didn't help to ease my confusion as to why Godzilla looked different, who these other monsters were and why this movie looked like it was made decades before the first movie I saw.
During a mission to the newly discovered 'Planet X', the inhabitants of this world known as Xiliens ask to borrow both Godzilla and Rodan from Earth to help rid their world of the vile terror named 'Monster Zero'. In return, the humans are promised a miracle drug, but it soon becomes apparent that the true purpose of these Xiliens is much more sinister.
Now anyone with eyes can tell that Monster Zero is none other than King Ghidorah. This movie was made after 'Ghidorah: The Three-Headed Monster' and sort of acts as a sequel though no references are made to it other than a mention that Godzilla and Rodan managed to fight off Ghidorah. Mothra is never mentioned anywhere. Maybe she demanded a night salary?
The monster action once we do get it, is pretty decent stuff. One thing I noticed on one of my recent viewings is that this movie more than others seems to treat the monsters as plot devices, this is very much a human plot driven movie.
Invasion of Astro-Monster was a co-production between Toho Studios and the american studio UPA (United Productions of America) headed by Henry G. Saperstein. This was actually the second film to be made by both studios, the first being Frankenstein Conquers the World (released in August of the same year). The partnership allowed american actors to appear in the films to increase their international appeal. For both films, Nick Adams was given a leading role.
Adams plays an Astronaut named Glenn who along with Akira Takarada who plays Astronaut Fuji have great chemistry together, they really do feel like they're best friends with each other.
The special effects falter a bit, especially with some shots of Rodan just sort of awkwardly hovering in midair.
I prefer the first encounter between the three monsters. Not only is the monster action entertaining but it take place in a unique environment. We don't often see Godzilla and friends interacting in outer space, let alone on a different planet. Also, Godzilla's victory dance.
Nuff' said.
The second major monster scene where the monsters attack the city and finally continue their fight against each other is still fun to watch in it's own right, the special effects are still top notch and look great. But this is where the series would fall into one of it's worst habits. Most viewers will recognize scenes during the city rampage are lifted from other films including 'Rodan', 'Mothra' and the previous film 'Ghidorah: The Three-Headed Monster' a cost cutting strategy that proves to be too obvious.
This movie came out around the time that Toho decided to turn Godzilla into more of a hero to mankind to appeal to younger audiences so don't go expecting something like the original Gojira.
While the plot is nothing too deep, its still very entertaining. If you like watching old sci-fi serials or even the original Star Trek episodes, chances are you'll love this movie.
Invasion of Astro Monster or Monster Zero continues to be one of the most loved Godzilla films from fans, myself included.
I hope you have enjoyed reading this and if you would like to see more from The Gryphon's Lair, be sure to give my Facebook page a 'LIKE' to see updates and other related stuff.
Thanks for reading!
https://www.facebook.com/TheGryphonsLair/
During a mission to the newly discovered 'Planet X', the inhabitants of this world known as Xiliens ask to borrow both Godzilla and Rodan from Earth to help rid their world of the vile terror named 'Monster Zero'. In return, the humans are promised a miracle drug, but it soon becomes apparent that the true purpose of these Xiliens is much more sinister.
The monster action once we do get it, is pretty decent stuff. One thing I noticed on one of my recent viewings is that this movie more than others seems to treat the monsters as plot devices, this is very much a human plot driven movie.
Adams plays an Astronaut named Glenn who along with Akira Takarada who plays Astronaut Fuji have great chemistry together, they really do feel like they're best friends with each other.
The special effects falter a bit, especially with some shots of Rodan just sort of awkwardly hovering in midair.
I prefer the first encounter between the three monsters. Not only is the monster action entertaining but it take place in a unique environment. We don't often see Godzilla and friends interacting in outer space, let alone on a different planet. Also, Godzilla's victory dance.
Nuff' said.
The second major monster scene where the monsters attack the city and finally continue their fight against each other is still fun to watch in it's own right, the special effects are still top notch and look great. But this is where the series would fall into one of it's worst habits. Most viewers will recognize scenes during the city rampage are lifted from other films including 'Rodan', 'Mothra' and the previous film 'Ghidorah: The Three-Headed Monster' a cost cutting strategy that proves to be too obvious.
This movie came out around the time that Toho decided to turn Godzilla into more of a hero to mankind to appeal to younger audiences so don't go expecting something like the original Gojira.
While the plot is nothing too deep, its still very entertaining. If you like watching old sci-fi serials or even the original Star Trek episodes, chances are you'll love this movie.
Invasion of Astro Monster or Monster Zero continues to be one of the most loved Godzilla films from fans, myself included.
Till next time, I have been your host Gryphon
and thank you for joining me here in my lair.
So long...
I hope you have enjoyed reading this and if you would like to see more from The Gryphon's Lair, be sure to give my Facebook page a 'LIKE' to see updates and other related stuff.
Thanks for reading!
https://www.facebook.com/TheGryphonsLair/
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