A Critical History and Filmography of Toho's Godzilla Series, 2d ed.

by David Kalat

Overview

This thoroughly updated and revised critical account of the Godzilla movie franchise explores the fascinating story behind Japan's most famous movie monster and its development from black-and-white arthouse allegory to international commercial juggernaut. Reviled by critics but boasting a dedicated cult following, the films of the Godzilla franchise provide a unique window into the national identities of both Japan and the United States. This work focuses on how differences in American and Japanese culture, as well as differences in their respective film industries, underlie the discrepancies between the American and Japanese versions of the films. It features detailed filmographic data for both the American and Japanese versions of each film, including plot synopses, cast, credits, and detailed production notes.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781476672946
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	07/12/2017
Edition description:	2nd ed.
Pages:	286
Sales rank:	138,107
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

David Kalat is a film historian and a forensic technologist. He has contributed audio commentaries to the home video editions of numerous classic movies, written extensively for Turner Classic Movies and other publications. He lives in La Grange Park, Illinois.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Preface to the New Edition     
Introduction     
A Note on the Text     

PART ONE: King Kong vs. Godzilla (1954–1963)     
1. G for Giant     
2. Gojira     
3. Godzilla Conquers America (and America Conquers Godzilla)     
4. Godzilla, King of the Monsters!     
5. Godzilla Raids Again     
6. Rodan     
7. Varan the Unbelievable     
8. Mothra     
9. King Kong vs. Godzilla     
10. Tsuburaya Enterprises     

PART TWO: Monsterland (1964–1969)     
11. Mothra vs. Godzilla     
12. Ghidrah, The Three- Headed Monster     
13. Invasion of Astro- Monster     
14. Monsters Inc.     
15. Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster     
16. Son of Godzilla     
17. Destroy All Monsters     
18. All Monsters Attack     

PART THREE: Something Funny’s Going On (1970–1975)     
19. Survival of the Silliest     
20. Godzilla vs. Hedorah     
21. Godzilla vs. Gigan     
22. Godzilla vs. Ultraman     
23. Godzilla vs. Megalon     
24. Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla     
25. Terror of Mechagodzilla     
26. The Crook, the Geek, the Reporter, and His Lover     

PART FOUR: The Return of Godzilla (1977–1995)     
27. Waiting for Godzilla     
28. The Return of Godzilla     
29. Godzilla 1985     
30. Godzilla vs. Biollante     
31. Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah     
32. Godzilla and Mothra: The Battle for Earth     
33. Godzilla vs. the Gryphon     
34. Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II     
35. Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla     
36. Godzilla vs. Destoroyah     

PART FIVE: The Godzilla Millennium (1998–2005)     
37. Godzilla vs. Godzilla     
38. Godzilla     
39. Godzilla 2000     
40. Godzilla x. Megaguirus     
41. Godzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All- Out Attack     
42. Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla     
43. Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.     
44. Godzilla Final Wars     

Epilogue     
Chapter Notes     
Bibliography     
Index     

Editorial Reviews

impressive production notes...scholarship is commendable in its harnessing of details from both sides of the Pacific...sure to please Godzilla fans”—Library Journal; “should become the definitive work on this important film series...highly recommended”—ARBA; “the ultimate word on the series...all-encompassing history of the building-stomping franchise will be required reading”—Film Review; “thorough evaluation...the creature’s origins are brilliantly documented”—Samhain; “no stone is left unturned in this deeply researched book...a treasure and a pleasure to read”—Toxic Graveyard; “excellent”—Big Reel; “fascinating”—Little Shoppe of Horrors; “detailed credits, lengthy synopsis and commentary”—Classic Images.

From the Publisher

Like Godzilla trashing Tokyo, U.S. critics have stomped all over Toho Studio's venerable series of monster films. Kalat's project is consequently a rehabilitation. A writer and independent filmmaker, Kalat questions cultural biases and supplies a welter of information in the form of complete synopses and credits for the 23 Godzilla features, impressive production notes, and analyses of sociopolitical subtexts. Although his analyses lack academic rigor, his scholarship is commendable in its harnessing of details from both sides of the Pacific. The author draws upon film industry publications, the mainstream press, and fanzines to rectify the mainstream's poor critical treatment of Godzilla. Among other things, he reveals that most of the films were scored by Akira Ifukube, Japan's distinguished classical composer, and that many of them share personnel associated with Akira Kurosawa. Sure to please Godzilla fans, Kalat's work will also interest scholars pursuing Japanese cultural studies.Neal Baker, Dickinson Coll. Lib., Carlisle, Pa.

Library Journal

the ultimate word on the series...all-encompassing history of the building-stomping franchise will be required reading

Film Review

should become the definitive work on this important film series...highly recommended

ARBA