Daikaiju Enterprises

Issue #32

March/April, 1998

Reviewer:    C. L. Werner

Articles include:

• News - Fan pressure is reported to have forced TriSatr to restore Godzilla's ray to the creature in the upcoming film. G-Fest '98 is amassing an impressive lineup of guests. Sony attempts to take 80% of the box office for Godzilla, over the usual 70%, upsetting theater owners across the country. Centroplis denies that internet photos of a weird iguana are actual pictures of the creature in Godzilla. Marmit and Bandai both release new toys in Japan. New Godzilla books are on the horizon, with volumes by Steve Ryfle, Staurt Galbraith IV and Sean Linkenback on the way. 'Godzilla the Album' will be released on May 19th. Criterion is releasing some classic Godzilla films on laserdisc, including Godzilla King of the Monsters with subtitles. Hanna Barbera will release four VHS tapes of their Godzilla cartoon series titled 'Godzilla: Energy Beasts', 'Godzilla: Earth Creatures', 'Godzilla: Time Travelers', and 'Godzilla: Fire Monsters'. Retro Vision Magazine #3 has a special Godzilla section, including a look back at Godzilla vs Monster Zero and a preview of the upcoming film. TriStar has 'Godzilla' tie ins with Kirin Beer, Hershey Chocolate, KFC and Taco Bell. The last episode of Seinfeld will premier a new Godzilla commercial. South Park airs an episode with bizarre charicatures of Mechagodzilla, Mothra, Ultraman and Gamera. A remake of South Korea's giant monster Yongary is reported in the works. Rebirth of Mothra 2 performs poorly in Japan, leading to rumors that 'Mothra 3' may be scrapped and production of Gamera 3 stepped up. New kaiju films on the way to video: from Sony, Godzilla vs King Ghidora and Godzilla and Mothra: the Battle for Earth; from ADV Films Gamera Guardian of the Universe and Destroy All Monsters; from Neptune Media Gamera the Invincible, Gamera vs Barugon, Gamera vs Gyaos, Gamera vs Guiron and Gamera vs Zigra with special treatment going to the first Gamera film, such as the US made scenes with Brian Donlevy and Albert Decker.

• The M-11 Tapes - by Norman England - An interview with American actor in Japan Robert Scott Field, best known as the android M-11 in Godzilla vs King Ghidora.

• Godzilla's Serious Side - A look at the messages in Godzilla films, particularly the anti-nuclear stance of the original and particularly the ecological concerns of latter Godzilla films such as Godzilla vs the Smog Monster.

• Godzilla Talk - by Steve Ryfle - An excerpt from Steve Ryfle's upcoming book Japan's Favorite Mon-star dealing with the dubbing of Godzilla films into English.

• War of the Gargantuas - by Richard Pusateri - A look back at the pseudo-sequel to Frankenstein Conquers the World and some of the behind the scenes stories behind this classic kaiju film.

• Kaiju Tails - 'The Museum of Kaiju Memorabilia' by Skip Peel, in which Dr. Rex Summeral meets Mr. Tako and his strange museum. 'Legacy of Hedorah' by Patrick Green.

• Welcome to Ultraworld - A look at a new Ultraman-based theme exhibit in Japan.

• Miscellaneous G-goods - A look at new products coming out in Japan.

• Product Reviews - The Best of Godzilla 1954-1975 CD. Gamera: Guardian of the Universe VHS from ADV Films.

• Toho Tunes 6 - by Norman England - Translated for the misery of all, the Jet Jaguar song from Godzilla vs Megalon.