The Toho Kaiju films are a joy on so many levels and I'm
thrilled that we are starting a new series covering a set of them for 2016. The
focus this year will be on the various movies that feature that golden skinned
villain Ghidorah and we begin with his (her?) first appearance in 1964's
GHIDORAH, THE THREE HEADED MONSTER. Released in the U.S. in 1965 it became a favorite
of monster kids and it's screenings on domestic television pushed this fifth
Godzilla film to new heights of popularity. This is much more a Godzilla
or Mothra film than a Ghidorah tale points to it being a direct sequel to
the monster film released earlier that same year MOTHRA VS GODZILLA. Throw in
the second appearance by Rodan and this becomes a sequel to his solo movie from
1956! That's right - this is a four monster film making it a Toho Monster
Rally! Pop the corn, lay in a supply of dried squid and get ready to watch the
fireworks!
As always with these giant monster movies Troy is the fanatic with years of reading and
watching informing his thoughts and I am the neophyte trying to line these
movies up in my horror loving head. We talk a bit about the differences between
the Japanese version and the shorter English language cut while admitting
freely that we simply cannot settle on a set pronunciation of the title monster's
name. We both were impressed by the excellent commentary track on this film's
Classic Media DVD by author David Kalat and we speak to some of his opinions as
we go along. I have to say that he makes some good points even if I disagree
with his take on some specific ideas. Troy
gives me some backup when I question the film's U.N. meeting of giant monsters
and the credulity stretching table tennis sequence, but has some love for the
concept of a kiaju group hug. Also, neither of us can understand why one of
this film's alternate titles isn't GODZILLA VS something something.....
anything! The Big G is the star here, title aside.
Thanks for downloading and listening. Any questions or comments
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that you can send MP3's or WAV files of your comments as well and we'll blend
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