Monster Crap: December 2023

Monster Crap Inductee: Gigantis, The Fire Monster
It’s Godzilla…..But They’ll Pretend It’s Not

1955/1959

It is a great time to be a fan of Godzilla. Next year, the next film in the Monsterverse is coming out with Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire with the trailer just being released, we are several episodes into the Monsterverse Apple TV series, Monarch: Legacy Of The Monsters, and Japan released their newest Godzilla film in Godzilla: Minus One uncut in American theaters.

Which I Saw At A Fan Event Screening And It Was Freaking Awesome

But that last one was not always the case. In fact, it started out being the exact opposite. Let me explain.

In 1954, director Ishiro Honda released a monster movie that was based off his experiences at Hiroshima after the atomic bomb dropping by the United States during World War 2. In this monster movie, he would show people the destruction that a creature awakened and mutated by the atomic bomb testings in Bikini Atoll that the Americans were still doing at that point (they stopped in 1958) could cause on Japan named Gojira. I think it is an understatement to say in Japan that it was a massive hit and would create a franchise for Toho Studios.

But the film as it was would not hit the American markets. Immediately after the film’s success, it’s American distribution rights were sold to Joseph Levine and they felt that to appeal to the American audience, they would need to re-edit it and have it add scenes with an actor known in the USA to play newsman Steve Martin.

Comedian Steve Martin Was Only 10-11 When This Film Came Out

And what big name would they get for this movie.

Canadian Actor Raymond Burr, Who Played The Antagonist In 1954’s Rear Window

And so Godzilla King Of The Monsters was released in 1956 and it was a huge freaking hit and probably the main reason why Godzilla is not just a Japanese icon, but a world icon. Raymond Burr would end up being a bigger actor as well with hit shows like Perry Mason and Ironside. And for most audiences, we would not even see the actual version until 2006 when Classic Media would release it. And while in my opinion, Gojira (the Japanese version) is the better version. Godzilla: King of the Monsters is the reason why Godzilla is the massive franchise it is so it is definitely worth existing in the annals of history.

At the same time as the American version was released, Japan would actually release a sequel to Gojira in Gojira no Gyakushi (Godzilla’s Counterattack) and while not as big of a hit as Gojira, it did decently enough for them to continue with the series. But that version is not what we are here to talk about.

The American rights to this film were sold to Harry Rybnick, Richard Kay, Edward Barison, Paul Schreibman, and Edmund Goldman. However, instead of just dubbing it and simply just putting one English speaking actor in it, they instead wanted to make a whole new movie with a new American cast super imposed with the monster footage and call the movie The Volcano Monsters (because the monster Anguirus debuts in this movie as well). Also, they were going to make them just dinosaurs and get rid of the atomic breath. Because the Americans made the right move in Godzilla: King Of The Monsters, Toho was actually loving this idea and actually gave them the monster suits for promotion.

But that didn’t happen either (and thank fucking god that didn’t happen) because the company they were going to do this under closed up shop and they couldn’t do all of this themselves. So instead, they decided they would just dub the film instead. But because for some reason, these people wanted this not to be a Godzilla movie still so the film would now be called Gigantis, The Fire Monster. Oh, you know this going to be a bad idea so let’s get to Gigantis The Fire Monster.

We begin with a hydrogen bomb blowing up.

And A Narrator Will Tell Us This.

And then we get stock footage and this narrator telling us that this was the dawn of a new era where more dangerous bombs were introduced.

But Thankfully None Were The Solaramite

Then the narrator talks about the ideas of space travel for the future, but asks are there not dangers on Earth that we do not know about. The narrator says this is the story of the consequences of progress to a little nation of people.

You Might Be Wondering Why This Says “Godzilla Raids Again” Or You May Already Know. But In Case You Don’t, I Might Have To Spoil This Aftermath For You That “Gigantis, The Fire Monster” Did Not Take With The American Audience Who Probably Knew This Was Freaking Godzilla. When This Movie Was Released On Home Video Decades Later, People Decided To Stop Bullshiting Us With Gigantis And Call It “Godzilla Raids Again”. However, What They Didn’t Do Is Bother Changing Anything Else About This Film. So Despite The Title Saying This Is Godzilla, The Rest Of The Bullshit Will Continue With Gigantis Because The Producers Were Too Fucking Lazy.

Now we have a new narrator who will be the narrator for the rest of this movie. It is of course our main character Shoichi Tsukioka who is a scouting pilot in Kaiyo, Japan. He in fact works for the Kaiyo Cannery and scouts for schools of fish.

He spots a big school of tuna and reports it to the operator and she has her partner Hidemi Inouye send Morse Code message afterwards to a nearby shipping vessel.

This Is Hidemi Yamaji, Who Is Also Dating Shoichi And Is The Daughter Of Koehi Yamaji, Manager Of The Plane Service

They talk about their plans for tonight, which include dancing. We then meet another pilot for the same company also scouting the ocean and his name is Koji Kobayashi.

Unfortunately, Koji runs into some issues with his engine so he is going to have to make an emergency landing on Iwato Island. He reports all of this to his radio operator who is Yasuko.

Hidemi tells Shoichi of the issue and Shoichi says he will go and find Koji. Hidemi then goes and tells her father about Koji’s plane having to go down.

No Idea Who The Guy Next To Him Is.

Shoichi narrates that he is looking for the plane, but is having a hard time finding it because of some clouds. He then finds Koji, who ditched his plane in shallow water.

He eventually lands his plane and meets with his good friend. He also reports to the people on the other side of the radio that he found him as well, which gives everyone a huge sigh of relief. Koji apparently injured his wrist and Shoichi tells him that when he gets back, he might want to get the girls a present since it was they who radioed to Shoichi to save his friend’s ass. They make jokes about how hard it is to shop for women and suddenly they hear a roar. It is then that they see Gigantis.

In A Sorry Attempt To Say This Isn’t Godzilla, Both Godzilla Here And The Other Monster Make The Same Noise.

They hide and eventually see Gigantis and another monster (which is Anguirus) fighting.

You Might Be Wondering How They Are Going To Explain How They Make The Same Noise. Well, Just You Wait Because This Explanation Is A Doozy, But The Explanation Doesn’t Happen Yet.

Both monsters eventually fall into the sea.

Dammit….Now You See What Happens When You Two Monsters Decide To Roughhouse Each Other

They both run and decide to fly back on Shoichi’s plane. They then headed to Osaka to report the news of two monsters. A meeting was hurriedly called afterwards and one of the people there is Kyohei Yamane

They then explain that Gigantis and Anguirus are part of the same species called Fire Monsters. Yes, that is why they make the same noise in their roars.

I Don’t Think There Is A More Perfect Time To Use The Godzilla Facepalm Then Here. I Don’t Know How You Can Fail Science This Badly, But These Two Monsters Cannot Possibly Of The Same Species.

Also, apparently these monsters destroyed everything in their wake and just suddenly disappeared. They ask Dr. Yamane how to destroy these monsters and he doesn’t freaking know of any way to destroy them. He then shows of how they believed these creatures were formed.

Mama?

Basically everything at some point was wiped out because of radiation from the sun. They show even more cheesy dinosaur footage and then revealed the first Anguirus.

This Is Godzilla From The First Freaking Movie!!!!! Why The Hell Are You Calling It Anguirus Or Gigantis???!!!! Do You Not Know Anything????!!!!

They explained that they eventually were able to defeat the first Anguirus with the help of Dr. Serizawa and the oxygen destroyer, but Serizawa burned all his research and kills himself while killing the first Anguirus so no one could ever use it again. Anyway, Dr. Yamane thinks they can get the monsters away from the public with lights so they is the plan.

Later, we see Shoichi and Hidemi talking about the worry that the monsters may attack. Shoichi says they won’t attack because if they did attack, Osaka would be a city of ruin by now. They wonder if there is anything anyone can do about this now. Hidemi calls Shoichi brave and Shoichi says this line.

Shoichi: Ah, banana oil!!!!

You might be wondering why the hell that was said because banana oil in the way it was used makes no sense in the sentence makes no sense unless you use 1920s slang like applesauce or horse feathers, meaning nonsense. Well, this was the idea of the dub director because he wanted the word to match the lips of the mouth and in the Japanese version, he said bakayaro, which means “You idiot” as in “you just said something stupid”. It’s one of most known lines in this movie with how stupid it is.

Anyway, Shoichi says that it is banana oil for him to be called brave and Hidemi says that sometimes he is. They then see some fighter planes fly overhead which means the monsters may be near. Another radio announcer warns the military that they need to head to base and report anything they see. In the war room, it is said that news has spread and everyone has joined in the hunt to find the monsters. They then get news that that pilot has just sighted Gigantis and he is heading to Osaka.

We then get newspaper headlines.

The submarines are even being pressed into service. Some people even prayed that the monsters would not attack.

Guys, There Are Giant Monsters. They Are Eventually Going To Attack.

The people at the cannery are listening on the radio and we find out that it is feared that Gigantis will land on tomorrow morning yet they need to remain calm and just obey all orders. Shoichi wants a crack at this monster, but Koehi says what he is saying is insane. They make a joke about Koji being a scaredy cat and we get another headline.

Osaka Hopes So

Of course because of this, people went out into the city to celebrate by dancing and going to shows. Shoichi and Hidemi went to their favorite night club.

An alarm suddenly blares out and news is just reported that Gigantis is coming to Osaka and the attack is imminent.

This Is Why You Make Damn Sure That Monster Has Passed Before Going Out

Oh and the radio announcers asks people who just went out on the news’ assumption that Gigantis would pass Osaka to remain calm.

Not Freaking Happening

So to prevent Gigantis from attacking the city, the authorities of Osaka institute a city wide blackout. Planes were flying overhead and our narrator (Shoichi) says that it is no different from war. All the tanks and missile launchers get in position as Gigantis pops his head out of the water.

Marco???

The flares fly in the air as Gigantis just gives us a dumb look.

Duh…..Where Da Rabbits?

Shoichi and Hidemi are among those that are evacuated although they have a car.

Lucky Bastards

It seems that the flares may be working as Godzilla starts heading away from the city. Meanwhile Hidemi goes to her father’s house while Shoichi goes with Koji to see Hidemi’s dad. Meanwhile, some convicts decide that this blackout is the perfect opportunity for them to try to escape during a prison transfer.

Tonight…There’s Gonna Be A Jailbreak

Some of them get captured, but three of them steal a truck that carries gasoline. The cops get in the back of Koji and Shoichi’s truck (talk about the convenience of them being there) and give chase. Another police car shows up and in their panic, the criminals crash the truck. The truck (being one with gas) explodes.

Because of this fire that is created, Gigantis starts coming back.

Oooh…..Fire

Now the military has to attack.

Gigantis even uses his atomic breath.

But shit gets even worse because Anguirus has decided to make an appearance.

I Smelled A Fire

So with both Gigantis and Anguirus in the same place, it is time for the first ever Kaiju battle.

The humans can only watch as their best efforts to avoid a catastrophe are all for not. The monsters continue the fight

More Like Watching A Man Playing With His Dog

Three more criminals get killed in the subway when the water overtakes them.

Everyone hides in the shelter as the monsters continue the fight. But Anguirus finally gets killed by Gigantis.

And The Dumbass American Producers Tried To Say In Japan, This Film Was Called “Anguirus” And Not A Freaking Godzilla Movie

The city is completely in fire as Gigantis finally decides to leave. We then see damage.

Even the cannery was not lucky to survive the destruction. But the boss of the Hokkaido branch Shingo and Hidemi’s dad both agree that they don’t plan to close down the cannery and will rebuild.

Koji then gets news that he is getting the job in the Hokkaido branch and right now, they are going to transfer everything to that branch. Also Shoichi will be going to that branch, but only temporarily. Hidemi however, will be staying in place as she will be needed here with the recovery.

We then go to Hokkaido and see that it is a winter wonderland up there.

Koji is sent on his first scouting mission for the Hokkaido branch and the boat gets word that Koji spotted a big school of fish. They even wave when Koji passes them.

Koji then gets word that he need to head home and Hidemi and Shoichi have arrived in Hokkaido as well. Koji says he has someone for Shoichi and Hidemi to meet, but it is a secret. At a restaurant, they meet an old friend in Tajima, who just so happens to be a member of the Osaka Defense Corps.

Oh and they get to meet Shoichi’s former commanding officer, Captain Teresawa.

At this small party, we find out that Koji is going to be married as well. Koji confirms it, but refuses to show a photo of who is soon-to-be bride. Shingo shows up and reveals that the ship they had out fishing was sunk an hour ago by Gigantis so pilots of the Defense Corps. are sent out to find Gigantis and the newspaper headlines return.

We even find out that even the United Nations wants to help.

This Is Probably Only For The English Version Of This Film

We even get told that Gigantis may strike the US.

Definitely Only For The American Version Because America Aint Helping Shit With The Giant Monster Unless It Is To Nuke It

Shoichi is in the air and sees nothing yet. Hidemi wants him to return because a storm is upcoming, but Shoichi refuses and doesn’t want to be a coward. Meanwhile, Koji comes in the room with Hidemi and sees that Hidemi is not happy. He then asks what sort of present can a boy give to a girl and that makes her a little happy as she says hand bags and gold rings. Hidemi now wants to know the girl that Koji plans on marrying and he says that it is a secret.

Shoichi is still in the air and he ends up finding Gigantis.

He’s Lucky Gigantis Is Swimming And Has No Time To Get Rid Of Witnesses

Shoichi reports his finding that Gigantis just arrived on Kamito Island (it’s actually Kamiko Island) and Koji decides that he will be joining him in the air. He actually ends up leaving his secret diary.

Hidemi looks at the diary and there is a photo of the girl he plans on marrying.

No Offense, But I Think The Girl In That Photo Can Do Better Than Koji. Just My Opinion…

The Defense Corps also find out where Gigantis is and they prepare a plan to attack. Back in the air, Koji arrives to where Shoichi is. He leaves Koji so he can get his plane back as Koji will stay to keep an eye on Gigantis. Back with the Defense Corps, they plan to trap Gigantis in a gorge. They go to execute the plan as Gigantis is going after Koji as Koji flies around the beast to keep him in place. The Defense Corps planes arrive and start shooting at the monster.

Unfortunately, none of the bombs dropped are working. Koji then decides to fly around Gigantis one last time, but sadly, Gigantis kills him.

Shoichi (who was on Tajima’s plane) is saddened to see his best friend die, but he also notices something from this.

An Avalanche Could Bury Gigantis.

So the Defense Corps planes decide instead to attack the mountain sides and not the monster himself.

Back at the Hokkaido offices, Hidemi has to reveal the terrible news that Koji has died. Hidemi cries as she is saying this news.

She goes back to the radio and sets up the photos as she knows she will eventually have to reveal the news to Koji’s fiancée that the marriage won’t be happening now.

On The Bright Side, She’ll Find Someone Better

I Know, Ricky Gervais…..I Know.

The Defense Corps goes back to get more bombs and missiles so they can continue burying Gigantis and Shoichi also joins as he wants to avenge his best friend. You may be wondering why Gigantis isn’t getting out of the island while this is happening. Well….

Gigantis Is Kind Of Stuck

A landing craft arrives and the leader is having people bring out gasoline cans to blow up.

I’m Spotlighting This SOB For Reasons That Will Come Later.

Gigantis is still stuck while this is going on, but when he gets unstuck, that landing crew does the smart thing and….

RUN AWAY!!!!!

And in a bit of an error, we hear the actual Godzilla roar instead of the Anguirus one. They then go back to the Anguirus so….

They then use their guns to blow up the oil cans.

COME ON, MAN!!!!! YOU STILL CAN HEAR MY GODZILLA ROAR AFTER THE ANGUIRUS ROAR!!!!

Well, that fire definitely makes sure Gigantis stays around as he likes fire. The planes arrive and they resume the attempted avalanche to cover the monster.

NOT AGAIN!!!!

Gigantis tries his best to fire breath the planes and gets a few, but one does a kamikaze into the mountain to continue the avalanche.

GOT HIM!!!!

DAMN IT!!!!!

The attack continues and Gigantis is really getting stuck.

Shoichi gets the final shot and Gigantis is now under a lot of ice.

Mr. Freeze Is Very Pleased

Everyone celebrates as Shoichi is still sad that his best friend had to die. Shoichi talks about how Gigantis will be buried forever.

While Gigantis Is Buried Forever, Godzilla Is Not As He Escapes In The Very Next Film In King Kong Vs. Godzilla

More stock footage as Japan celebrates and we see Shoichi and Hidemi back on the rooftop.

And as they look at the sun. This movie mercifully ends.

So time for the aftermath and while I did spoil that this film didn’t go well, I didn’t say how badly it went. This film didn’t even get released on its own as it ended up being the second billed film in a double feature. The movie that was first on that double feature???

A Film That Ended Up In Public Domain And Was Riffed On MST3K

So after that whole embarrassment, the producers decided to not even bother licensing this film onto TV and this film went into complete obscurity until the 1980s when a different producer who got the rights remembered this is a freaking Godzilla movie so they released it onto home video and retitled the movie to Godzilla Raids Again, even though the Gigantis dub is still the version used. It wouldn’t be until 2007 when we would get to see the Japanese original cut and….while that film isn’t too much better, it is more liked than this mess.

So a pretty big aftermath with the dub cast as this film happily says this movie stars George Takei.

Yep….Hikaru Sulu Himself Was In This Dub

But that is a bit of a lie as while, he was in this dub. He was not dubbing either Shoichi or Koji. In fact, Shoichi (the actual main character and narrator) was dubbed by Keye Luke.

The Grandfather Sam Wing From The Gremlins Film

It’s more than likely that Koji was dubbed by a guy who did many voices in the dub in Paul Frees.

Boris Badenov Himself (Frees Did A Bunch Of Other Work As Well)

So you might be wondering who George Takei actually dubbed in this film. You remember, that guy I said I will come back to later who led the men to bring out those oil drums? Yeah, George Takei dubbed that guy so he really doesn’t star in this dub whatsoever and is just a late-in-the-movie side character.

As far as the main cast and not the dub cast, a bunch of them would be in other Toho kaiju movies and some Akira Kurasawa films. Hiroshi Koizumi (who played Shoichi) would be in Mothra, Matango, Atragon, Mothra vs. Godzilla (or Godzilla vs. The Thing for the American audience), Dogora, Ghidorah The Three Headed Monster, Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla, The Return Of Godzilla (or Godzilla 1985), and Godzilla: Tokyo SOS. Minoru Chiaki (who played Koji) would not be in other kaiju films, but would actually be in several films by Akira Kurasawa like Throne Of Blood, Seven Samurai (he did that one before this film), The Hidden Fortress, and Rashomon. Takashi Shimura (who played Kyohei) would be in Frankenstein vs. Barugon (or Frankenstein Conquers The World), The Mysterians, Mothra, Ghidorah The Three Headed Monster, and Akira Kurasawa films “Throne Of Blood”, “Yojimbo”, “Red Beard”, and “Kagemusha”. Seijiro Onda (who played Capt. Terasawa) was in Throne Of Blood. Sonosuke Sawamura (who played Shingo) would be in several Zatoichi films. Yoshiro Tsuchiya (who played Tajima) was in The Mysterians, Varan, Matango, Frankenstein vs. Barugon, Invasion Of The Astro Monster (or Godzilla vs. Monster Zero), Destroy All Monsters, Space Amoeba, Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah, and Kirasawa films “Throne Of Blood”, “Yojimbo”, “Red Beard”,

He Was Also Kurakawa In Son Of Godzilla

Minosuke Yamada (who played the Chief of Civil Defense) would be in Rodan, The Mysterians, and Varan. Senkichi Omura (who played one of the criminals) would be in The Mysterians, King Kong vs. Godzilla, Mothra vs. Godzilla, Ghidorah The Three Headed Monster, Frankenstein vs. Barugon, and Kurasawa films “Seven Samurai”, “Throne Of Blood”, “The Hidden Fortress”, “Yojimbo” and “Kagemusha”. Ren Yamamoto (who was the Commander of the Landing Craft) would be in Rodan, Mothra, King Kong vs. Godzilla, Mothra vs. Godzilla, Frankenstein vs. Barugon, The War Of The Gargantuans, and Kurasawa film “Seven Samurai”. Shin Otomo (who played the Criminal Leader) would be in The Mysterians, King Kong vs. Godzilla, Atragon, Mothra vs. Godzilla, Ghidorah The Three Headed Monster, Frankenstein vs. Barugon, and Kurasawa films “Seven Samurai, “Throne Of Blood”, “The Hidden Fortress”, and “Yojimbo”. Shiro Tsuchiya (who played Captain Of The Fishing Boat) would be in King Kong vs. Godzilla, Atragon, Mothra vs. Godzilla, and Kurasawa film “Throne Of Blood”. Takeo Oikawa (who played Osaka Municipal Police Commissioner) would be in The Mysterians, and Kurasawa films “Throne Of Blood”, and “The Hidden Fortress”. Sokichi Maki (who also played one of the criminals) would be in Kurasawa film “Seven Samurai”. Shoichi Hirose (who played one of the criminals) would be Rodan, The Mysterians, Varan, Mothra, King Kong vs. Godzilla, Atragon, Dogora, Ghidorah The Three Headed Monster, Frankenstein vs. Barugon, Invasion Of The Astro Monster, The War Of The Gargantuans, King Kong Escapes, Terror Of MechaGodzilla, Kurasawa films “Seven Samurai”, “The Hidden Fortress” “Yojimbo”, “Red Beard”; and the awesome Japanese horror film House.

He Was Also One Of The Two Slaves Who Tried To Escape, But Got Killed By Ebirah In Godzilla Vs. The Sea Monster

Junpei Natsuki (who played one of the criminals who was in the blown up truck) would be in Mothra and Kurosawa film “Seven Samurai”. Teruko Mita (who played one of the restaurant waitresses) would be in Mothra. Katsumi Tezuka (who was in the Anguirus suit) would actually get in the Godzilla suit for King Kong vs. Godzilla, would be in the Mothra suit for Mothra (where he was just the neck of the Mothra larva), Mothra vs. Godzilla, and Ghidorah The Three Headed Monster; and would have random roles in Matango and Atragon. Harou Nakajima (who was in the Godzilla suit and called Gigantis) would be in the Godzilla suit in King Kong vs. Godzilla, Mothra vs. Godzilla, Ghidorah The Three Headed Monster, Invasion Of The Astro Monster, Destroy All Monsters, and Godzilla vs. Hedorah (or Godzilla vs. The Smog Monster); he was in the Rodan suit for Rodan, was in the Moguera suit for The Mysterians, was in the Varan suit for Varan, the head of the Mothra larva in Mothra, was in the Matango suit for Matango, was a random person in Atragon and Dogora; was in the Barugon suit for Frankenstein vs. Barugon and Destroy All Monsters; was in the Gaira suit in The War Of The Gargantuas, was in the King Kong suit for King Kong Escapes, was in the Gezora and Kameba suits for Space Amoeba, and was in a Kurasawa films “The Hidden Fortress”, “Yojimbo”

He Was Also In The Godzilla Suit For Monster Crap Inductees Godzilla’s Revenge, Godzilla Vs. The Sea Monster, Son Of Godzilla, And Godzilla vs. Gigan (Godzilla Vs. Gigan Would Actually Be His Last Time In The Godzilla Suit).

Toku Ihara (who played a policeman) was in Mothra, Matango, Ghidorah The Three Headed Monster, and Kurasawa film “Seven Samurai”. Takuzo Kumagi (who was captain of a fishing boat) was in Rodan, The Mysterians, Varan, King Kong vs. Godzilla, Matango, Atragon, Mothra vs. Godzilla, Ghidorah The Three Headed Monster, Invasion Of The Astro Monster, Terror Of MechaGodzilla, and Kurasawa films “Seven Samurai” and “The Hidden Fortress”. Tadao Nakamaru (who played a policeman) was in The Mysterians, Terror Of MechaGodzilla, and Kurasawa film “The Hidden Fortress”. Keiji Sakakida (who played two roles as a Military Officer and a Policeman) would be in Rodan and Mothra. Akira Sera (who was a Fishing Company Employee) would be in Mothra (although uncredited). Hideo Shibuya (who was a visitor at the cabaret) would be in Varan, Mothra, King Kong vs. Godzilla, Matango, Atragon, Mothra vs. Godzilla, Dogora, Ghidorah The Three Headed Monster, Frankenstein vs. Barugon, The War Of The Gargantuas, Destroy All Monsters, and Kurasawa film “Seven Samurai”.

He Was Also A Maritime Officer In Godzilla Vs. The Sea Monster

Shigemi Sunagawa (who was another visitor of the cabaret) would be in Rodan, Mothra, Mothra vs. Godzilla and Kurasawa films “Seven Samurai” and “The Hidden Fortress”. Misaaki Tachibana would be in Rodan, Mothra, King Kong vs. Godzilla, Invasion Of The Astro Monster, Destroy All Monsters, and Kurasawa film “Seven Samurai”. Koji Uno would be in Rodan, Mothra, Atragon, Mothra vs. Godzilla, Ghidorah The Three Headed Monster, Invasion Of The Astro Monster, and Kurasawa film “Seven Samurai”. Junnosuke Suda (who played an extra) was in Rodan, Mothra, King Kong vs. Godzilla, Mothra vs. Godzilla, Ghidorah The Three Headed Monster, and Invasion Of The Astro Monster.

That was long and unfortunately, it is time to talk about who has passed away since this movie and sadly we don’t know if plenty of people passed away so I can only give you what we know. Well, let’s get to it.

Minosuke Yamura (who played Chief of the Civil Defense) left this mortal coil in 1968 at the age of 75. Masao Shimizu (who played Dr. Tadakuro) left this mortal coil in 1975 at the age of 67. Sonosuke Sawamura (who played Capt. Terasawa) died in 1978 at the age of 60. Takeo Oikawa (who played a captain of a fishing boat) left this mortal coil in 1978. Takashi Shimura (who played Kyohei) passed away at the in 1982 at the age of 76 from emphysema. Satsuko Wakayama (who played Hidemi) took her own life in 1985 at the age of 55 after being diagnosed with an unknown illness that her sister suffered from too. Max Miller (who was the opening narrator (not the one who was Shoichi)) died in 1985 at the age of 71 from a heart attack. Paul Frees (who did various dub voices and might have been the dub voice of Koji) passed away in 1986 at the age of 66 from heart failure. Shoichi Hirose (who played a criminal) died in 1990. Keye Luke (who did the dub voice of Shoichi) died in 1991 at the age of 86 after suffering a stroke. Senkichi Omura (who played a criminal) died in 1991. Minoru Chiaki (who played Koji) died in 1999 at the age of 82 from acute respiratory and coronary failure. Ren Yamamoto (who played the Commander of the Landing Craft) passed away in 2003 at the age of 73 from cerebral apoplexy. Koji Uno (who played Shubeki’s assistant) died in 2003 at the age of 79. Tadao Nakamaru (who played a policeman) passed away in 2009 at the age of 76 due to a ruptured aortic aneurysm. Junpei Natsuki (who played one of the criminals who was in the crashed truck) passed away in 2010 at the age of 91. Hiroshi Koizumi (who played Shoichi) left this mortal coil in 2015 at the age of 88 from pneumonia. Yoshio Tsuchiya (who played Tajima) passed away in 2017 at the age of 90. Harou Nakajima (who was in the Godzilla/Gigantis suit) left this mortal coil in 2017 at the age of 88 from complications from pneumonia.

Now for my opinion on the movie and you can see why I have been wanting to do this induction for years now. Without the whole Gigantis BS, this probably would have just been serviceable. But with the whole Gigantis BS as well as many mistakes, this film is very infuriating to watch. The people who decided that this isn’t a Godzilla film are some of the biggest dumbasses in cinema history. There was terrible dub dialogue and mistakes like the whole Godzilla roar debacle. Ultimately rights have been made for the most part, but I do wonder if this film could get a new dub that would actually fix a lot of the mistakes and call it a Godzilla movie. If you ever see this movie, watch the Japanese version because it doesn’t mistake this movie by calling the monster Gigantis.

And another year has come and gone here on Monster Crap so I wish you all the merriest of Christmases, the happiest of Holidays, and also the happiest of New Years.

You Filthy Animals

Saturday, December 16, 2023

RIP Kenpachiro Satsuma

Monster Crap Inductee: Gigantis, The Fire Monster (1955/1959)

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