Girls, Look What Is Showing Tomorrow Night--Albeit Truncated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                              For those of us who grew up with TV showings of the film, there is no need to explain.

                              But for those who did not, some explanation is necessary.  This is the film that made Godzilla (the Americanized renaming of the more apt "Gojira.") a star.  Both the credit and the blame belong to Joseph E. Levine.  Made in 1954, and released there in Japan, the film was not shown here till 1956.  And I did not see the original "Gojira" until 2004, at the Film Forum--forty-one years after having seen this version!  It is also where I found Baby Gojira, and brought him home, never knowing the impact he would have on my life, and still does.  He is my Nicholas.

                              What Levine did was to truncate Ishiro Honda's 1954 artistic masterpiece, removing the anti-war content, preserving the monster scenes, and adding Raymond Burr--then best known for his role as "Perry Mason--" to the footage, as sort of a way to keep the story moving.  What would become ironic, twenty years later, is the name of the character Burr is allegedly playing--a journalist named--are you ready? --Steve Martin!  Today, it is a joke; when I first saw this film, at eight, I thought "What is Perry Mason doing in a monster movie?"

                                  The movie opens in the middle of the original.    Footage is placed differently, giving it a different pace and feel.  The end does remain intact, though it could have done without Burr's moralistic voiceover.

                                    I can tell you that while Gojira (whom I will call him from now on) does get to show his star quality, and upstages everyone, this is not the film that should have been shown.

                                                                         

                             Now, this is the film "Svengoolie" should show--Ishiro  Honda's 1954 artistic masterpiece.  Once seen, you will never go back to the 1956 desecration.

                               I want you to know that both Gojira and Baby G have strong reservations about this being shown.  So, join us with caution, at 8PM, knowing what you are in for.  And afterward, track down a DVD of the above, and see the true masterpiece.

                                Ironically, I own this, and on the other side it has the 1956 redo, which I refuse to watch.

                               I will watch tomorrow to honor Gojira and Baby G!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                    As for "Sventoonie," he is deconstructing the 1961 "Circus Of Fear," with a really renowned cast--Christopher Lee, Klaus Kinski, and Suzy Kendall, who was in 1967's "To Sir, With Love."  The poster indicates bosom potential, and I have always enjoyed horror films set in circuses or amusement parks.  They make such excellent settings.

                                      This film is no masterpiece, so at least it won't be truncated!

                                      But Gojira and Baby G send their love, and hope you join us tomorrow at 8PM!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                       And remember, Gojira is only acting.  He is doing a job, getting paid.

                                     Because, when he comes, it is only in peace, and he wants to help us!