Arguably, the single most influential film of the 50's was GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS. Most obviously, it kicked off a series (genre, really) that is still being done to this very day -although it's becoming more sporadic as the attempts to update the franchise become more varied. More generally, the big blue dinosaur is probably Japan's most visible contribution to world pop culture. Not bad for a nation still a couple years away from really finding it's feet, economically. One could easily credit Toho's films being as vital to the reconstruction as were Big Mac and the industrious resolve of the Japanese peoples (at the risk of going overboard). The plot was indicative of the era, with atomic testing reviving a prehistoric monster which proves invulnerable to modern weapons, and can only be stopped by a tormented scientist's dangerous secret. The film was a massive success State-side, too, when the film was re-edited to include Raymond Burr as American newsman Steve Martin getting swept into the events. The editing is truly skillful, and while critics like to carp about the supposed watering down of the original story, an argument can be made that the US cut is actually stronger in some respects. It was certainly an impressive task assembling a Japanese film into an American blockbuster, one provided a full A picture release by infamous producer Joseph E. Levine. The Japanese liked our version so much, they released it in Japan the next year! Much has been said about GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS in the decades since it's release. Not really sure what I can add to that, as it's place in world popular culture is very firmly established. It created a profitable new direction for one of Japan's most illustrious studios, and opened the doors for said fare to become staples of American entertainment as well. The title was even re-used when an American remake series was tried a couple years ago.
