40 Films in Robotech: Godzilla, King of the Monsters! (1956)

      

It's hard to believe we NEVER covered Godzilla’s film debut, but it’s never too late!

 ROBOTECH MENTION:  

In my all-time favorite Robotech episode Season’s Greetings (Episode number 35), our favorite three micronized Zendtraedi defectors Bron, Rico (pictured below), and Konda are desperately trying to earn a living by selling toys at Christmastime. In their portable sales booth, you’ll see other Japanese TV and film stars including Godzilla…

A still from Robotech episode 35 – Season’s Greetings.

 SYNOPSIS:  

From the A-Z Heroes and Villains section of Hugo Award Winner David Pringle’s The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Science Fiction: The Definitive Illustrated Guide (1996):

Godzilla…Enormous fire-breathing dinosaur, which threatens to destroy Tokyo, in the Japanese movie released in English as Godzilla, King of the Monsters. The creature is awakened from its sleep, deep in the primordial ooze, by an H-Bomb test.

 AWARDS & KUDOS:  

Turner Classic Movies writer Sloan De Forest listed both the 1954 Japanese original (entitled Gojira) and this 1956 English version as one of the Must-See Sci-Fi movies in her book TCM Must-See Sci-Fi: 50 Movies That Are Out Of This World (2018).

 OTHER COOL FACTS:  

At the same time, Japan’s Toho Company was producing Godzilla, it was also producing Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai (1954). 

Last July, I briefly touched upon the 1954 Godzilla film in a summer #classicfilmreading entry where I reviewed an excellent graphic novel for fans of this big green meanie.

 ROBOTECH REASON:  

Godzilla’s legacy endures both in Japan and worldwide. The monster is known for being oversized and trashing cities. If you’re telling a story involving 50-foot-tall Zendtraedi aliens doing the same thing – it’s almost required to nod to the big green guy.

To read my ⭐⭐⭐⭐(out of a possible 5 star) rating for Godzilla, King of the Monsters on Letterboxd, click here.