A Quick Look: MOTHRA (1962-color)

   MOTHRA was one of those uniquely Japanese concepts, a film more fairy tale of the Atomic Age than outright science fiction. In the film, some shipwreck survivors are rescued from an area heavily contaminated by radioactive fallout from recent tests conducted by the mythical superpower of Rolisica. The survivors show absolutely no signs of exposure to radioactivity, and even tell of natives on the officially uninhabited island where they washed ashore. This prompts an investigation, and sure enough the island is found to be populated by primitive natives and killer plants. Most extraordinary is the discovery of twin girls, standing less than a foot high! Corrupt Rolisican showman/gangster Nelson returns to the island and abducts the girls to appear as a theatrical attraction. Unknown to Nelson, during the nightly performances the girls sing a song of rescue to Mothra -the indestructible giant insect the natives worship! Soon enough, Mothra is headed toward Japan, and no weapon of warfare seems able to stop it! Entertaining stuff, provided you never try to put too much thought into it. Mothra would go on to be one of the major players of the Toho monster universe, returning a couple years later to take on the Big Blue Dinosaur in GODZILLA VS THE THING. Following that, Mothra became a series regular through the end of the decade. Mothra was revived again for the 90's cycle of Godzilla movies, and was then spun-off into a colorful-but-goofy trilogy of it's own. Mothra seemed to re-surface periodically after that, even making it into the new American Godzilla series.

A Quick Look: KING KONG VS GODZILLA (1963 - color)

   KING KONG's effects master Willis O'Brien had been trying to pitch a sequel, evidently since the 1930's. "King Kong vs Frankenstein" would've featured the giant ape confronting the latest monstrous creation of Dr. Frankenstein. It wasn't until the early 60's that he finally sold the idea to producer John Beck, who in turn sold the idea to Japan's Toho studio. Toho chose to replace the Frankenstein monster with their signature giant, and thus was born KING KONG VS GODZILLA. The film remains one of the most popular and successful of Toho's releases. It was the first Godzilla movie many monster kids saw, and it remains sheer enjoyment.

 

   In short, a Japanese pharmaceutical company is eager to capitalize on a legendary giant that feeds on some island berries the company has purchased. Whether it exists or not, some employees of the company are sent to the tropics to find the creature. They do, and soon Kong is headed toward Japan on a raft. Meanwhile, Godzilla has emerged from an iceberg and is heading straight for Japan... The result is one of the most enjoyable giant monster movies ever made. Just fun. At least for those who can take the movie on it's own merits... 

 

   O'Brien passed away before the film was released, and some have put forth that maybe it was best he never saw the final results since it departed so far from his initial idea. Obie's beloved stop-motion magic obviously couldn't be employed, and the man-in-suit Kong is light-years departed from anything as good as the master craftsman could've done. Honestly, it's a pretty shabby costume in general, far outclassed by iconic suits like those worn by George Barrows, etc. Conversely, Godzilla looks great, and the effects work really shines if you can just get around that crummy Kong suit. It's easy enough to do, though, and clearly the original audience didn't have any misgivings. It remains one of the top Godzilla movies of all time. This is the one really responsible for the continuing series of the 60's.

 

   The studio did hang onto the Frankenstein idea, though, and couple years later made FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD (only they would've turned the Frankenstein monster into an ever-growing giant who does battle with a fire-spitting dinosaur...). Toho made another, unrelated Kong movie in 1967, KING KONG ESCAPES, which itself was based on the Saturday morning cartoon series of 1966!

A Quick Look: MONSTER ZERO (1965/70 - color)

   MONSTER ZERO is remembered not only as a fine Godzilla movie, but a good picture in general terms. Co-produced by American Henry Saperstein, the film starred Nick Adams alongside Japan's heartthrob Akira Takarada and the exotic beauty Kumi Mizuno. In the film, astronauts explore the newly-discovered Planet X and find it to be inhabited by a race ruled by machines. They've been having some trouble lately with Ghidrah, the three-headed monster -whom they've named Monster Zero. "Everything is numbered here. The Monster is Zero." The Xians beg our help, to loan them Godzilla and Rodan to fight off the space dragon, in exchange for the formula of miracle cure. When the tape containing this formula is played, however, the Xians announce a double-cross, and send their collection of monsters marching against Earth cities! Meanwhile, Nick has been seeing a girl who turns out to be an Xian agent! 

 

   MONSTER ZERO is set in the 1990's, placing itself outside the timeline of the other films, giving the results a vague Gerry Anderson flavor which is quite welcome (presumably, then, DESTROY ALL MONSTERS could be considered a more or less direct sequel). A wonderful cast brings to life a strong assortment of characters in a breathlessly-paced adventure from an exceptionally strong script. Filmed in 1965, the film was the first in the series to rely on stock footage to help reduce costs. For some reason, it didn't come to American shores until 1970 on a double bill with THE WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS -itself held back since 1966. Adams and Mizuno had a great screen chemistry, also making FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD the same year. (They also made a spy epic called THE KILLING BOTTLE. Despite being prepared for American release about three times, however, the film never made it to the States.) 

 

   MONSTER ZERO is great stuff, one of those perfect 60's adventure movies. The film is sometimes called by it's British title, INVASION OF ASTRO-MONSTER -the title on the very nice DVD release from Classic Media (but the print itself has the MONSTER ZERO title, so don't worry). It's 80's video/TV title, meanwhile, was "Godzilla vs Monster Zero."

A Quick Look: ATRAGON (1965-color)

   Here's another import from Japan, and in my experience one of the rarer such films. ATRAGON tells of an attack on the surface world by the undersea kingdom of the Mu Empire. Mu, for all it's primitiveness, possesses futuristic technology, flying saucers, and the ability to control earthquakes. Mankind's only hope rests in an embittered former Imperial Japanese Navy Officer and his fantastic futuristic submarine, Atragon. Atragon was built at the end of the War to turn the tide of battle back in Japan's favor, but the Land of the Rising Sun surrendered before the ship could be sent into battle. Though the times have passed up her Captain, he must put aside his baggage and march into action against the Mu forces. Complex character study supports engaging adventure story, complete with Toho's customary giant monster -in this case a huge serpent worshiped by the Mu. Elements of the plot would be re-hashed several times over the next several decades. GODZILLA VS MEGALON was a more kiddie matinee version of the same story, while THE WAR IN SPACE re-purposed the plot for use in a space opera. Manda, the giant serpent, would wash back into the Godzilla series when the beast was selected to be one of the returning giants featured in DESTROY ALL MONSTERS (the US posters for the film even named Manda among the major players). Though only as quick stock shots from that film, Manda would be seen throughout the remaining films of the original Godzilla cycle. Atragon itself was only one of numerous flying submarines with drilling cones in the nose section to be highlighted in Japanese pop culture! The film is finally available in a nice scope transfer on American DVD, but unfortunately the superior AIP release dub remains missing. Reportedly, the American DVD distributor wanted to include the better dub, but they were prevented from doing so by Toho itself!

A Quick Look: GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS (1956)

   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.

A Quick Look: GODZILLA VS BIOLLANTE (1989 - color)

   1989's GODZILLA VS BIOLLANTE marks a dividing line between eras. It was the last Godzilla movie to have a decent dub track (which is sad, because it was done by the same crew responsible for the lame international dubs in earlier decades -solid gold compared to those that followed, however). It was also the last entry in a very long time to have a strong script and almost uniformly good performances. Really, every time I revisit the picture I find it even better than I remembered. The film picks up in the aftermath of GODZILLA 1985, as spies from various countries are sorting through the rubble to find cell samples. Some years later, when Godzilla shows signs of stirring within his volcano prison, a genetic scientist is asked to work with the cells in finding a counter-weapon should Godzilla fully awake. He's initially opposed to the project, but figures he can use the Godzilla cells to help him with another little project which results in the plant monster Biollante. Meanwhile, terrorists are hot to get their hands on the new bio-weapon made from Godzilla's cells and hold Japan hostage by threatening to release Godzilla from his volcano... The second Godzilla film of the 80's hits a lot of good marks, and was prepared for US theatrical release. At the last minute, though -possibly due to recent terrorist activity, the film was instead released to home video and occasional airings on the HBO channel. Unexpectedly, the video, released in the early 90's, was letterboxed! GODZILLA VS BIOLLANTE was thus one of the earliest films to be seen scope in electronic home viewing. The tapes still float around and are quite desirable. The film recently got a DVD release, but the print there lacks the translated titles found on the VHS version. Back in Japan, the film triggered a whole new series of films. Though that cycle has it's moments, none of them came within shouting distance of GODZILLA VS BIOLLANTE.

A Quick Look: SON OF GODZILLA (1967 - color)

   During the classic era, only two Godzilla movies were released directly to television States-side. One was GODZILLA VERSUS THE SEA MONSTER, the other was SON OF GODZILLA. SON OF GODZILLA tells of a top-secret weather control experiment being conducted on a small island in the Pacific. Strange waves of unknown origin are messing with the equipment, resulting in an accident which bathes the island in severe radioactive heat. When it again becomes safe to leave the protection of the scientists' compound, it is discovered the storm has caused the island's man-sized mantises to balloon into dinosaur-scale monstrosities! The insects converge on a single point and begin digging, unearthing a massive prehistoric egg. From this hatches "a baby Godzilla" just as the big blue dinosaur himself hits the scene in answer to the baby's brainwaves which have been causing all the trouble with the scientists' electronics. Delightful, entertaining entry is one of the most casual and fun, mixing science fiction, giant monsters, and jungle themes. The film features a jungle girl, the first human being to befriend a giant monster when she meets Godzilla's son. Also on hand is an enormous spider that wants to eat the junior monster! Godzilla takes on the role of protector for this new creature of his species, and Godzilla's son would figure into the next few films rather prominently -much to the ire of fans who remain hostile to the annoying little squirt! The recent DVD release has been a mixed blessing. On the one hand, we can finally see the film scope. On the other, it uses one of those awful international dubs instead of the superior Titra dub heard on television for decades. One of my very favorite entries, right behind GODZILLA VS THE THING and KING KONG VS GODZILLA.

A Quick Look: GODZILLA 1985 (1985 - color)

   With it's mix of new and familiar, GODZILLA 1985 was a video rental staple for a good decade. I imagine any number of mom and pop outlets supported themselves almost exclusively with the rental fees from this one picture, each store stocking a minimum of three copies where most videos were stocked in single Units. The film was a high mark of the series, a good back-to-basics story concerning Godzilla's sudden re-appearance after 30 years. Raymond Burr returns, making reporter Steve Martin one of three classic characters Burr reprised in that decade (the other two being the titular characters of TV staples Ironside and Perry Mason). Sadly, it now stands as the most obscure of the series! The videos themselves are now sought after collector's items. Fortunately, since they were pressed for the rental market, most of them still play like brand new if in moderately good condition.

A Quick Look: GODZILLA VS THE THING (1964 - color)

   Big Blue Dinosaur has been described as Japan's chief cultural export. This one an almost universal favorite, GODZILLA VS THE THING. In the film, a hurricane has demolished much of Japan's coastline, and also washed up on the beach a gigantic egg. The egg is put on display in a massive incubator, which seems a bad idea when your egg is the size of a football stadium... Anyway, it turns out the egg belongs to Morthra, giant insect monarch of a tiny island. The natives are desperate to get the egg back before it hatches and unleashes havoc. In the meantime, it's discovered that Godzilla has also been tossed about by the hurricane and ended up buried under an industrial complex. When Godzilla suddenly emerges, he sets his sights on Mothra's egg... It's hard to find a Godzilla movie with better production value and overall polish. If you need an introduction to the franchise, you could do a lot worse than start here. The American version even features a sequence with Godzilla that wasn't used in the Japanese prints! Made the rounds on video and television some decades ago under the title "Godzilla vs Mothra" and the title has frustratingly enough stuck with it.

Godzilla commission drawing

 

A Quick Look: KING KONG ESCAPES (1968-color)

   After KING KONG VS GODZILLA, Toho tried to get another Kong movie going. Copyright issues delayed this, however. One King Kong adventure was almost put into production when those pesky copyright issues forced a substitution resulting in GODZILLA VERSUS THE SEA MONSTER. Finally, though, KING KONG ESCAPES came along. Based on the Saturday morning King Kong cartoon, this wild, wacky, and downright wonderful adventure confronted the monster monarch with a robot double under the control of Oriental super-villain Dr. Who. Linda Miller, Kong's latest crush, was a perky model living in Japan. Though she didn't have aspirations to be an actress, she was convinced to try it. This was the only film in which she headlined, but she captured a lot of hearts! Star Rhodes Reason, brother of Rex, was the American star. He was joined by Japan's top leading man, Akira Takarada. The aesthetic of this one is heavily influenced by the espionage thrillers all the rage at the time, and the plot goes for international intrigue as much as it does giant monster antics. Just a super fun movie. Delightful every step of the way (though it's human violence has caused some more recent TV airings to remove footage -which amuses me because I remember seeing the uncut version on The Family Channel a decade earlier than the snipped print turned up).

A Quick Look: RODAN (1957-color)

   RODAN THE FLYING MONSTER (or just RODAN, as the title block reads) was Japan's first color giant monster movie. It was also one of the very last to be filmed in academy ratio. In the film, miners are having trouble with a very deep tunnel following the opening of an underground chamber. Bodies begin to turn up, horribly mutilated. Eventually, the culprit is revealed to be a species of giant, prehistoric insect. And, terrifying as that is, it's only the beginning. Turns out the monster bugs are only the food source of a much larger predator, which has also stirred to life... RODAN was a big hit on both sides of the Pacific, and the film became something of a television, and later video, staple. Rodan, the giant pterodactyl of the film, was so popular that the character was resurrected and brought into the Godzilla franchise beginning with GHIDRAH, THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER. Rodan was even more up front in the direct sequel, MONSTER ZERO. Rodan was also one of the major players in the all-out monster rally DESTROY ALL MONSTERS. Rodan has since been closely associated with Godzilla, and in fact is probably the second most popular Japanese giant, second only to Godzilla himself. Most every average Joe knows Rodan by name, and the monster was even a huge toy in the 70's (there was also a model kit from Aurora around the same time). I still have my old Vestron VHS release.

A Quick Look: GODZILLA VS MEGALON (1973/76 - color)

   Although it has never been held in the highest regard, GODZILLA VS MEGALON remains one of the biggest hits of the franchise, and one of the most visible entries. Spies from an underground kingdom launch an assault on the surface world via their living instrument of revenge, the giant insect Megalon. To guide the creature in it's invasion, they steal a robot from a Japanese toy inventor. The good guys manage to regain control of the robot and send him off to collect Godzilla. Meanwhile, the meanies from beneath the earth contract with spacemen to bring Gigan into the fray. US audiences first saw Gigan here, only to be re-introduced to the character when GODZILLA ON MONSTER ISLAND finally came over the next year! Heavily influenced by the explosion of popular costumed superheroes on Japanese TV, the film focuses mainly on the humanoid robot Jet Jaguar. Godzilla basically functions as a guest star in his own movie! Cinema Shares imported the film in 1976, when it went head to head against the remake of KING KONG (one reason the US poster art features the recently-finished twin towers). The film, released in a couple of different cuts, was a smash hit and became a staple at kiddie matinees. When the film came to television, it was a ratings bonanza (in one event hosted by John Belushi wearing a Godzilla costume). Later, the film was a huge hit on home video. By that time, the dubbed version had fallen into public domain, so just about every video label had a release of the picture. Due to this status, the film became an experiment on Mystery Science Theater 3000. The episode was issued on disk, but by that time the rights had been restored and the disks were pulled. As result, they command a high price when you run across 'em. Recently, the film finally saw a widescreen release hit DVD, although for some idiotic reason, the titles remain in Japanese! The widescreen print featuring the English titles had already been floating around the Sci-Fi Channel for a few years!

A Quick Look: DESTROY ALL MONSTERS (1968 - color)

   DESTROY ALL MONSTERS was the giant monster equivalent of those Rat Pack movies of the 60's. Originally figured as a last hurrah for the Godzilla franchise, the Toho studio threw together just about every giant monster they had in their stable. The plot concerned a future invasion by space women who used mind control devices to subvert scientists into assisting them in world conquest. To facilitate this, they unleash the world's giant monsters and set them to destroying our major cities. The film did so well that Godzilla would continue his activities well into the next decade and eventually far beyond. Due to unspecified legal trouble, the film was missing in action for decades, becoming legend among fans who longed to see the film (outside of Japan, anyway). Finally, around the turn of the century, the film surfaced on the Sci-Fi Channel, presented in a lovely scope transfer. The only real drawback was that this print was the International version. Fortunately, the AIP dub has finally been restored to the film on recent DVD releases. It was a long time in coming, but the ultimate Godzilla movie is finally on our shelves where it belongs!

A Quick Look: GHIDRAH, THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER (1965 - color)

   GHIDRAH THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER was a real milestone in the genre, bringing together the major monster stars from earlier films to take on a new menace that was to become a fixture of future films. When a fiery meteor crashes to earth, it coincides with the arrival of a prophetess who bears a striking resemblance a recently-assassinated Princess. Enemy agents come after her and a cop tries to protect her, although his job isn't made any easier by his reporter sister! Meanwhile, the prophecies predict the return of Godzilla and Rodan to Japan, as well as new terror Ghidrah. Mothra is brought in to organize the earth monsters against this new menace from space! Ghidrah would return for the next film, MONSTER ZERO, and again as the main heavy in DESTROY ALL MONSTERS. GODZILLA ON MONSTER ISLAND would be his last showy bit in the original run. The monster team-up idea, likely patterned after the old Universal Frankenstein films of the 40's, became something of a staple of the Godzilla series afterward. Ultimately, it became sort of like watching sporting events and seeing which old pro was going to be brought onto the field.

A Quick Look: GODZILLA VS THE SMOG MONSTER (1972 - color)

   GODZILLA VS THE SMOG MONSTER was the last Godzilla film to get the full AIP treatment. Fans remain split as to whether the film is a classic or a turkey. When a mass of sludge rises from the sea to feed on pollutants and smog, it creates an atmosphere of poison that threatens to destroy all human life in Japan. For the first time officially cast as the hero, Godzilla gives battle to the monstrous Hedrah. As any Carol Burnett fan knows, pollution was a hot topic in the early 70's, and particularly so in Japan. Ecological horror movies became a pretty big subgenre for a few years, with films like FROGS, KINGDOM OF THE SPIDERS, and today's subject. Pollution was one of a dozen things that assured mankind was not to survive the 20th Century, in addition to nuclear weapons, killer bees, and the new Ice Age. Movies, of course, capitalize on the fears of the moment, and this was a successful release for AIP. One wishes AIP had been a bit more willing to edit this one down, though, as it features a true low point* in Godzilla's career: the moment he aims his breath at the ground and flies off like a weird sort of rocket! Notwithstanding, the film is uniquely gloomy. Very dark, and slowly paced, and featuring a somber musical score that keeps things from ever getting very exciting. Another thing AIP should've cut, the film occasionally breaks for some incredibly strange psychedelic cartoon sequences. And then there's a scene in a nightclub where a patron begins hallucinating that the dancers around him are all wearing fish masks -for no reason whatsoever! On the other hand, the film has some incredible effects work, maybe some of the most realistic miniature effects ever put on film (such as an early scene in which Hedrah attacks a crippled oil tanker). As noted, a mix of good and bad keep the film's status in debate. The AIP version was released on VHS in the 80's. It later surfaced scope on the Sci-Fi Channel as the international print, "Godzilla vs Hedrah." That version, sadly, it the only cut currently officially available.

[*On the other hand, there was a moment earlier where Hedrah knocked Godzilla into a pit and then oozed a bunch of sludge over him. I'm not sure what exactly he's supposed to be doing, but he very easily could be doing what it sounds like he's doing... When finished, Hedrah audibly laughs over his foe! Wow.]

A Quick Look: GODZILLA'S REVENGE (1970 - color)

   Without doubt the weirdest Godzilla movie was GODZILLA'S REVENGE. This peculiar outing follows a small boy living in poverty, so hard off that both his parents must work. He also gets bullied by his peers, and ends up being kidnapped by bank robbers! To escape his lonely world, he retreats into a fantasy in which he gets to wander around Monster Island and befriend Godzilla's son, Minya. The son of Godzilla here has the ability to change his size and speak to our youthful star. The pair watch Godzilla fight off a bunch of stock footage monsters before confronting the horrible Gabera, Minya's own bully. Back in the real world, our hero uses the lessons he learned on Monster Island to fight back against the robbers and escape. Weirdly, this all ends with the boy misbehaving and vandalizing -which apparently represents a healthy change in his nature! The film was picked up for US distribution by UPA, where advertising it must've presented a challenge. Ads and previews focused entirely on the monsters, giving no hint of the film's true nature. The urban nightmare must've taken a number of kiddies by surprise! Possibly, all this is why the film had very little television play, and video releases were late in coming. A nice scope transfer hit tape and later disk not long ago. Bizarre flick, to say the least!

A Quick Look: THE WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS (1966/70-color)

   This picture was a quasi-sequel to FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD. The connections are sparse, and practically erased in the American script for THE WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS. When a flesh-eating giant suddenly appears, research scientists suspect the connection to a baby "gargantua" they had in custody -where it came from is a complete mystery, but it's gentle nature is opposite the cruel manner of this new monster. Soon, it becomes evident that there are two hairy giants on the loose, and more new creatures can be grown from any loose cells the creatures might shed in battle. The titular war breaks out when the kind giant must go to blows against the killer beast. One of Toho's finest 60's monster flicks, but despite being an American co-production for 1966, it wasn't to see US screens until 1970 (when it was paired with the similarly late-in-getting-here co-production MONSTER ZERO -itself shot in '65). The lovely Kumi Mizuno is back, this time paired with former child actor and musical star Russ Tamblyn. Russ was on his way to being one of the major Hollywood stars of his era, but unfortunately came along at a time when musicals were dying off. His being forced to star in a Japanese-made monster movie was quite a come down. He may not've resented the assignment, but his boredom with the project is evident (oh, he's too good an actor to give a lousy performance or anything, but nor does he invest anything more than professionalism to the part). In recent years, Russ was asked about his sleepy approach. He was visibly sorry for his performance, having seen the film since and realizing just how good it was. (No doubt the years following THE WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS helped shape that opinion, as he was very shortly working in Al Adamson movies....)

A Quick Look: GIGANTIS THE FIRE MONSTER (1959)

   GIGANTIS THE FIRE MONSTER was the first Godzilla sequel. In a lot of ways, it's become the forgotten Godzilla movie, although a pretty great one. Although the Japanese version was churned out in '55, the American version wouldn't materialize until 1959. In between those years, there was an attempt to import the film as "The Volcano Monsters" with new footage written by Ib Melchior. Toho even provided a couple of monster suits for the project, but for whatever reason it failed to reach maturity. (Interesting trivia note: Bob Burns and Paul Blaisdell found themselves taking cover behind the crate containing the new Godzilla suit when an overzealous technician added too much gunpowder to an explosive miniature effect for INVASION OF THE SAUCER MEN.) In the late 80's, a new video title, "Godzilla Raids Again" was tacked onto the film. Frustratingly, this title is now the only one under which the film is sold. Those with a good VCR can track down the old Video Treasures VHS to see the original movie (which is unfortunate as Video Treasures cassettes were usually cheap tapes, though the company had some wonderful titles in it's catalog). The plot concerned the discovery of a new Godzilla at war with another giant dinosaur, and how this battle impacted Japan -in particular the country's fishing community. Neat stuff.

A Quick Look: GODZILLA VS THE COSMIC MONSTER (1974 - color)

   Godzilla's 20th Anniversary came with an event picture designed to restore a bit of the dignity Godzilla had lost over the last few films -which had been marketed specifically to children. GODZILLA VS THE COSMIC MONSTER was far more adult in tone, dealing with international spies and a plot to steal an ancient statue. Invaders from space unleash a robotic double of Godzilla, the Mechagodzilla, and nearly defeat the big blue dinosaur in the first act. An ancient prophecy, however, seems to imply the Martians are doomed to failure if the good guys can place the statue of Okinawan protector King Seeser (or Seesaw, or Ceaser, etc) in it's right place when the sun rises from the west. Pretty solid affair combines science fiction and the supernatural, espionage and giant monsters. Also known as GODZILLA VS MECHAGODZILLA, it was originally promoted by US distributor Cinema Shares as GODZILLA VS BIONIC MONSTER. They got sued by Universal, who felt this was a clear infringement on their Six Million Dollar Man franchise. Mechagodzilla proved extremely popular, and would return for the next film. In addition, the character would be periodically resurrected in the more recent decades.