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The History of Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973)
The History of Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973)
#godzilla #megalon #jetjaguar
@BigActionBill
Sources
- Brian Solomon's "Godzilla FAQ"
- David Kalat's, "A Critical History and Filmography of Toho's Godzilla Series".
- Steve Ryfle's "Japan's Favorite Mon-Star: The Unauthorized Biography of "The Big G".
-Writing Japanese Monsters: From the Files of the Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies by John LeMay
- wikizilla.org
- www.tohokingdo...
- vantagepointin...
- sidelongglance...
Picture books used:
- Godzilla: The Official Guide To the King of Monsters (2022) by Graham Skipper
- Godzilla: History of Formative Arts 1954-2016
You can purchase or rent "Godzilla vs. Megalon" at www.amazon.com.
Пікірлер: 565
Merry Christmas! I hope you all enjoy the video and the holidays/new year with your loved ones. God bless!
@repomanzilla
Жыл бұрын
Thank you and merry Christmas. I know I've asked a thousand times lol....will you ever do a shin godzilla episode?
@cesarhernandez6861
Жыл бұрын
Marry Oppai and Happy Kaiju!
@emciol6413
Жыл бұрын
godźlla
@marlonclark1896
Жыл бұрын
same to you man!
@christiandenault7606
Жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas! 🎄
I always thought it was neat that the original spider-man movie’s Green Goblin costume was basically just a repainted Jet Jaguar
Jet Jaguar and his theme is one of the greatest gifts mankind has received from Toho
@DasNordlicht91
Жыл бұрын
Hard to imagine Jet Jaguar’s theme song without thinking of Mystery Science Theatre 3000 and their take on it with the funny fake subtitles.
@ncapone87
Жыл бұрын
Punch punch punch!
@Lampfinder1619
Жыл бұрын
Gojira and jaguar they PUNCH! PUNCH! PUNCH! I unironically like Jet jaguar fr We need him in the Monsterverse and hear that new version of JJ's theme song
@Bawookles
Жыл бұрын
Correction: Jet Jaguar and his theme is one of the greatest gifts ever given to mankind. Period.
@PREPFORIT
Жыл бұрын
Correct
Fun Fact: In Spainish talking lands this movie was called "Gorgo and Superman have a date in Tokyo"
@badulakhemagico7029
3 ай бұрын
No me esperaba verte aquí! AcTuAlLy, lo de que se citan en Tokio es más bien que se encuentran en Tokio, por lo que sería "Gorgo and superman meet at Tokyo"
@m.l.jhanson6718
2 ай бұрын
Lmao lol no way! If so that is hilarious and somewhat accurate.
@just-dashin
Ай бұрын
what.
@badulakhemagico7029
Ай бұрын
@@just-dashin the best part is that jet jaguar is called superman through all the film
Thank you for these deep dives into the Godzilla films. The added perspective makes watching these movies all the richer and with a greater appreciation for the effort, ingenuity and skill of the film makers.
@kevinr.3542
Жыл бұрын
I second that. These videos have been a constant companion piece to he godzilla films ever since I discovered the series and started diving into to each one. The fact that there are CURRENT informative videos on the subject makes watching these 50+ year old movies feel fresh and relatable, and almost contemporary.
My dad took me and my brother to see it when it came out here in 76. I was eight, so all it’s flaws went right by me. And all the other kids in the theater agreed with me, judging by all the cheering and laughing going on. Especially the scene when Godzilla is shown swimming to the rescue. It was the only Godzilla movie I saw in the theater as a kid. I’ll always love it, but I freely admit my love for it is clouded by nostalgia.
@PerspectiveEngineer
Жыл бұрын
Thanks, nice memory
@Ryan-wq7dg
Жыл бұрын
Well I'm 44 and just saw it last year and I loved it. So fun and well paced with killer monsters!!
This was one of the most accessible Godzilla movies because it was included in nearly every syndicated movie bundle for TV stations.
Godzilla vs Megalon is a good fun movie. The fighting is so silly at times but you can't help but appreciate the sincereity on what they were going for. I especially love how they have a stand off and start doing stances and how Gigan was threatening to chop off Jet Jaguar's head. It's just good fun.
I received the "Godzilla For President" button from the theater showing the film. Always wondered why Godzilla had a cross sticking out of his mouth on the button. Thanks for the toothpick info , it answered an age old mystery for me.
The definitive Godzilla Historian channel. Thank you for your service to the fandom.
I love this movie. I still have my old VHS tape with Godzilla and Megalon on the Twin Towers. Megalon remains one of the coolest and most unique of all Godzilla's enemies and teaming him with Gigan was just the icing on the cake.
@captaintitusultramarine
Жыл бұрын
I always loved Megalon, wish he'd make more appearances.
@nwobw
Жыл бұрын
@@captaintitusultramarine Yep. Gigan and Megalon are up there for me too. Megalon was a really cool mix of features.
I recently learned that they're making a sequel to Godzilla v. Kong (2021) so I started considering what monsters were left that they could adapt. And then it hit me. Kong is already living inside a Hollow Earth, and what other civilization/monster lives underground??? Godzilla and Kong v. Megalon and Gigan in the modern day would be absolutely incredible to see! Some of the Godzilla v. Megalon localizations even referred to Jet Jaguar as Kong, put him in a JJ suit for the new movie!
@thetohoapologist4240
Жыл бұрын
That would be sick! Never heard that before so great idea! Megalon and Gigan need to be back(and jet jaguar)
@thejongshow8821
8 ай бұрын
Unfortunately we just get another Kong :/
@joshburns4863
7 ай бұрын
They don't want to keep paying to use different monsters so I think they're leaning more into original creations now
Bro that whole kimura story was not something I expected to hear in the megalomaniac video, that was depressing but a very interesting part of the history
This is truly the best Christmas and Birthday gift! Watching it now!
@BigActionBill
Жыл бұрын
Happy Birthday!
@SteamedIguana
Жыл бұрын
Thank you, Merry Christmas! Keep up the awesome work man, absolutely love all that you put into these videos. Always interesting to see how they made the movies from my childhood
I always love your videos Bill..I thought I was a big Godzilla fan and knew a lot about the franchise, but it has been a pleasant experience learning all the production drama and challenges when making these films. Thank you for your hard work a dedication.
@bardbloom
Жыл бұрын
i have severe amnesia, due to a chunk of my brain being remov ed [yay glioblastoma]
To me this is a top 10 definitive Godzilla movie. One of my favorite G designs. I love this end of the spectrum and find this more enjoyable than some others that might be revered more highly. I personally liked the music alot and apparently I wasn't alone. Mf Doom actually sampled music from one of the chase scenes.
@thegodzillafandomsrookie5514
Жыл бұрын
I agree with both of your statements man The godzilla design may be silly, but I think the subtle ring designs in his eyes there the inspiration for sp gpdzillas rings in his eyes, like the looney tunes rings
Thank you big action bill. Your videos help me with my anxiety and depression.
This was the first Godzilla movie I saw, as I had a cheap VHS tape of the dubbed version as a kid. Because of that, while I do recognize its flaws, it still holds a special spot in my heart.
Seeing this in my feed was probably the highlight of my Christmas. I can’t wait to watch it later, I’ve been so excited for this one! Merry Christmas!!
I actually had the opportunity to watch this movie (along with Mothra vs. Godzilla 1964) in a special theater screening last year for it's 50th anniversary. It was a cathartic experience tbh. It was great to hear the audience cheering for all the monsters and laughing and having a blast.
Merry Christmas. As an Australian all I can say is: bloody ripper...bloody unreal. Thanks for the channel
Another fantastic examination of Godzilla. Honestly you had me in tears when covering "The Art of Being Japanese." I had to pause and rewatch it just because the most basic descriptions were hilarious. I wouldn't mind seeing a video about that all on its own. And if you don't know what to do with it I would gladly take it off your hands. Maybe you could do an "Unauthorized" reading in a series of videos and accompany it with some of those ridiculous images.
@vermis8344
Жыл бұрын
I agree, but somehow I see youtube demonetising that so fast, it'd make your head spin!
Don't feel bad. I first saw this movie when it was released in the states, in Connecticut. My uncle took my siblings and I to the Drive-Inn to watch it. And yes, I'm now 60 years old, and that damnable Dolphin Boat is also what comes to mind with this movie. Thanks.
This is the second best Godzilla related thing from 1973. Right after Zone fighter. Also, speaking of Zone fighter, I find it funny how back when I first discovered Godzilla, the only Zone fighter episodes that I could find online, were the ones featuring Godzilla. Truly speaks to how much that obscure show was carried by the king of the monsters being in 5 episodes.
@GoGojiraGo
Жыл бұрын
Along with King Ghidorah in two episodes (and being the only Terror Beast to survive his bouts with Zone Fighter) and Gigan in one episode taking on both Godzilla and Zone Fighter.
@christiandenault7606
Жыл бұрын
@@GoGojiraGoI think the only reason King Ghidorah survived his battles with Zone Fighter was so that it wouldn't contradict his death at the end of Destroy All Monsters, which was set in the 1990s.
@GoGojiraGo
Жыл бұрын
@@christiandenault7606 Exactly. Had to survive to die.
This is the only Godzilla movie I ever owned or watched as a kid. My grandparents bought the VHS at a flea market in Florida back in the 1980s.
FINALLY..... My favorite showa era movie. I've never had more fun watching a movie and honestly I dont think I'll ever watch a movie funnier than this one. A wonderful and delightful experience 10/10 will watch again.
I watched a VHS of this movie countless time as kid in the 90's - and have a huge nostalgic love of it.
the robert e lee reference is pure gold
This movie may not have the highest budget or the greatest of writing, but it will forever remain one of my favorites, this was what got me into Gkdzilla in the first place, making me watch the other movies and shows (ironically I went with GMK and Shin Godzilla next, absolute tonal whiplashes from this movie) and learn about this franchise's crazy history, I'm currently deeply obsessed with it and I've been waiting this video for a long while now, Megalon, Gigan and Jet Jaguar still remain in my top 10 after consuming a lot more content from different eras and things from this franchise.
I'm a new subscriber and I live in Clinton Maryland. My mother and Father used to me to see Godzilla movies. My favorite movies are Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla, and Godzilla vs Megalon. I've shown Godzilla movies to my son AND HE LOVES THEM. Thank you Big Action Bill your doing a great job
I saw the John-Belushi-hosted airing of Godzilla vs Megalon. I was 7 years old. God, how I wish that footage of Belushi still existed. Also, whatever else may be said about this movie, this is my favorite Godzilla suit.
I'm watching this on my new 70 inch TV!!!! Thank you for your awesome work
@cl-vision5029
Жыл бұрын
Sweet!
@GabrielAlcala956
Жыл бұрын
That’s nothing bro! 100 inches here.
Literally spent Christmas Eve going back through all your Showa videos so this is a definite present for me! Merry Christmas and thank you for the entertainment and hard work you put into making these!
Jet Jaguar? Jet Jaguar! He mother never really love him!! I've really only ever seen the MST3K version, but between the silly subtitles of JJ's theme song and the "Rex Dart - Eskimo Spy" skit, it will always have a fond memory in my heart. Thanks for another great review - keep up the great work!
On a side note, I love this movie so much that I managed to track down the original DVD release with that was recalled by Toho due to unapproved features including the commentary you mentioned. That DVD was not cheap 😂
I remember my dad taking me to see this when I was around 8. It's still one of my favorite old school Godzilla movies
I was lucky to see this in the theater in 1976 and it was my first Godzilla movie. I've been hooked every since and love your thorough dissection of it, much of which I'd forgotten or simply didn't see in the U.S. version!
Oddly enough this was always one of my favorite Godzilla movies as a kid. I still have a soft spot for it as an adult.
When it was released in 76 my mother took me to see it& it was the greatest day of my nine year old life! Rip Mom ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Loved this one as a kid. Got it again when I got older and my god it did not age well
I remember seeing this movie listed in the TV guide in 1976. I was 9. I they mentioned a monster named Gigan. I remember being in panic mode that day because we went shopping and I thought I was gonna miss it! Thanks for the good work and the memories! Can't wait to see the next video! MG!!!
First Godzilla movie I saw as a kid. It was in a VHS 2 pack along with the Snow Creature. Absolutely loved how strangely zany it was. Very fun movie, even today.
A new video released on Christmas?!? It’s a perfect surprise gift!
This is one of my favorite Godzilla movies. It was my first Godzilla movies I owned on vhf. When I had my stroke in 1993 and I woke up out of my coma. I was brought out of my bed. I watched this movie my brother came to see me. He talked about the movie when he saw me. 😃
Some of the best fights in the Showa era, despite it being…lackluster overall. One of my favorites as a kid
I have such a soft spot in my heart for all the Showa Era Godzilla films, watching every one that I could find on VHS growing up in the 80s. Godzilla vs. Megalon, to me, is the quintessential Godzilla movie from that era. It represents everything I love so dearly about that crazy, awesome franchise!
Merry Christmas Bill! I've been marathoning your Godzilla history for this past two years and keep on revisiting the 1954 history ocassionally because of how packed it is. I've been waiting for this one and am pleasantly surprised that you dropped this on Christmas. Happy holidays to you and your family. I'll be waiting for more Godzilla history videos in the future. God bless you too from Indonesia!
The scene with the kid on the lake and the "Ultraman" looking Jet Jaguar are what I remember from this film. I want to say it was on television, and I got my dad to take me to the movie theater subsequently. I still have fond memories of it, and the 70's in general.
I saw this at a drive in when it finally opened 3 years late in the US, on a somewhat bizarre double bill with a blaxploitation horror film called J.D.'s Revenge and some Pink Panther cartoons. I was incredibly excited because up to that I'd only seen Godzilla on TV and this was the big screen. I loved it unconditionally.
I love this movie so much. I had it on VHS with the cover showing Godzilla and Megalon on the top of two skyscrapers and was sad that scene wasn't in the film. Owning the VHS seemed redundant because it was on TV quite a bit in the 80s. It is a cheesy Godzilla film but the charm is IN the cheese. Along with Godzilla vs Hedora these two were the Godzilla movies I watched the most over and over because they had a comedy element (some intentional, some not) that made them more fun. I also love the Dam destruction scenes and also thought, even as a kid that the damn sequence was quite exceptional among all the Godzilla films. I liked Megalon's weapons as well. Quite creative in retrospect. Thanks for the deep dive. I had always wondered what particular sequence of events led to the creation of this film because it has its own merits but also is quite visibly a mish mash of previous footage.. which.. even I could recognize as a kid. Subscribed.
I've seen all the Godzilla movies many times. This one is still probably my favorite. When I saw it in the 70's as a kid, it was just perfect entertainment, and I still love it.
I first saw this at the movies with my older brother back in 76. This wasn't my first exposure to Godzilla having seen the other movies on tv. I enjoyed it since it's strictly geared towards kids. It's one of those guilty pleasures you don't mention to serious Kaiju fans.
I saw this movie in 1973 when I was 10 - I liked and kept the tin buttons for decades - I also liked Kikaida, Ultraman and related genre Japanese TV shows as I lived in Hawaii then where they were shown.
Best Christmas present by far. TY. Merry Christmas Big Action Bill.
Thanks so much for this video! Godzilla vs Megalon was a major part of my childhood
Fantastic deep dive as always bro! This was the second Goji film I ever saw. I know it's not that great but it still holds a special place in my heart because of nostalgia haha. Merry Christmas and happy new year to you and your family!
First in theater Godzilla viewing. 2nd Godzilla movie ever seen. Still a favorite and the MST3K version is a classic!
I like pretty much all the Godzilla movies, even this one. They are charming. There is something about people trying to put their vision of a monster story out there for others to watch, despite the bad production quality it's a fun time and something about the human characters being so serious about such an obviously imaginary, impossible situation adds to the fun. It's the dedication and effort and seriousness they put into these films that makes them so good to watch.
New HoG? NOW it feels like Christmas!
Been watching through the showa criterion collection and watching all your videos after each one. Your series has been such a great watch, thanks for all the work you put into these.
Best Christmas ever! Your videos on Godzilla are great and a delight to all. Keep up the great work, man.
This is a Christmas miracle for you to make a HoG on Christmas. Merry Christmas.
This was the first Godzilla movie I ever seen as a kid.
Great video man! Can't wait for the Mechagodzilla duology. Merry Christmas.
I had seen this movie riffed, reviewed, and torn apart many times (And with good reason, it is quiet goofy. But that's its charm and why I like it) but this is the most indepth I had ever seen anyone go into about this film. Thank you, and now I will probably be watching more of your stuff.
For Jet Jaguar to be able to program himself to change size, he would need a lot of onboard RAM. At least 256 kilobytes.
@jarekstorm6331
Жыл бұрын
256k in 1974 would cost about $98,000 US. Truly impressive amount of RAM and probably just the right amount of memory for your average, homemade, monster fighting Robot at the time 😄
@dtester
Жыл бұрын
@@jarekstorm6331 😆👍
"Drunk grandpa at a Las Vegas casino..." I luvv this stuff. "That kid is out there somewhere, waiting for revenge..." I don't hate any Godzilla film, but man, wow, this one, brutal...
Yooo I watch all your Godzilla videos. I genuinely appreciate your ability to deep dive into the history, symbolism, and cultures of Japan and filmmaking while keeping a fast pace and entertaining consistency in your documentary style format and editing. I’m a huge fan and appreciate you for explaining the things I geek out about
This videos are just so entertaining,I love them, they're great. After you're done covering the movies,make videos about the Godzilla movies that didn't get made as a type of sequel or season 2 to this series
That was excellent. This is one of my favorite Godzilla movies. I actually first saw it in the theater, begging my Mom to take me in the 70s. This was the first Godzilla film I saw in the theater. Also I was the top fighter for Jet Jaguar in Atari's Godzilla save the earth video game.
Believe it or not Jet Jaguar is my Second Favourite Kaiju ever, Godzilla being my most He's just so fun and cool, Also fun fact: One of the producers of the Godzilla PS3 & PS4 game (Shunsuke Fujita) included him in the roster through sheer charm "I didn't even ask for jet jaguar I just saw him on screen and I couldn't say no" He's just that awesome, I feel bad for the kid who did Red Alone. I used to do art all the time and prided myself on the very few original things I did I couldn't imagine what he felt 🤖
This was such an awesome Christmas present to get! Thank you very much for going to the trouble of doing these reviews. Best Godzilla videos on KZread, hands down!
I loved that movie. I was a little kid when it came out and this was my first Godzilla movie. It'll always have a special place for me.
my all time favorite godzilla movie, they even gave out a small comicbook with it
Wake up babe big action bill dropped a video this Christmas
Favorite of the Godzilla movies. First one I ever watched as a kid at a local drive-in with my folks. Monster WWE.
I remember watching this at a Drive In. It was part of a Double Feature....the Original Star Wars was the first Movie with Godzilla vs Megalon being the second movie.
Awesome, dude! Been waiting for this one. That Dropkick is just....great, lol.
i love how this in depth history of the series shows how much hard work even the worst movies took and how they can still mean a lot to people on set and in the audience 🖤
My grandpa took my dad to go see this movie when it came out in America in the 70s, he was about 14.
I loved the team-up of Godzilla & Jet Jaguar. This was my favorite Godzilla film. It was more like a comic book superhero story. Too bad Jet Jaguar couldn't join forces with the "King of the Monsters" in another movie.
Bill. You always doing gods work
Great video as always. Let us know when you do the last 2 in the Showa series. Love to see the history of the 2 Mecha-Godzilla movies of the 70s.
Love these in-depth vids on classic kaiju eiga! Thanks, BAB! Ok, a genX perspective on a small point: having grown up in NJ NYC metro zone I'd have to say that more people from the area and time-frame ('70s into '80s) remember Ichiro over Rokuro b/c "G's Revenge" was on tv frequently whilst "GvM" came out summer '76 and wasn't on tv except for that hideous NBC edit with John Belushi. But then in the '80s-90s of course it was easily available on vhs. Also I personally don't recall seeing "G vs the Smog Monster" until '75 when I was 7 and that one as well was not on tv frequently. I do remember it being on WWOR 9. Beyond that I was thrilled to see "G vs M" in the theater summer '76. It was obvious even then that quality had plummeted and stock footage was used and G... looked like a dog but Hey! Gigan was totally cool! I loved it as a kid about to turn 8 and it has special place in my heart. 'Nuff said. Thanks for another frear vid!
I’ve always loved this one, purely for the hilarious quality it has. Everything is so absurd you can’t help but love it. Throw in that genuinely kickass tag team final battle and you have a super fun watch, and a much better viewing experience than the tone whiplash of movies like Hedorah or Gigan which naively try to play themselves straight.
This was my favorite Godzilla movie when I was little. I don't remember which Godzilla movie I first saw, it could have been this one, but this is the one I remember seeing in its entirety (and remembering it, at least). Every time GvsM was on, I would watch it. I don't remember the last time I watched it, but I would imagine it was a very, very long time ago (probably back in the 1980s)... something is telling me it's best not to watch it ever again for sake of preserving my nostalgic memories...
That explains why this movie took years to make it to home video/dvd. Great historical information about how Toho film productions had to cut costs in order to save time/money. I didn't know that Jet Jaguar's design came up between Tsuburaya and Toho who held a joint publicity contest with Seiyu dept. store chain and called it Seiyu's Children Monster University where kids were told to come up with design ideas for the next monster/Godzilla movie. Strange combinations of Megalon between a numerous insects and a rhinoceros insect to make this monster. I laughed at Godzilla's flying drop kick.
I absolutely love this movie. Funny because my friend and I were just talking about this yesterday. It’s extremely unfortunate this film wasn’t given more time and a better budget.
Merry Christmas! Best present I've got so far today!! 💚
Awesome video, as usual! I've been hosting Godzilla double feature nights with my friends every couple months, making slide deck presentations based on my research, and you have been a huge and valuable source of information when I'm prepping these. Thanks for all of your hard work! I wanted to point out at 25:42 you say that the Megalon suit was one of the heaviest suits they made since the original Godzilla suit from 1954, but in your video for Godzilla vs. Hedorah, you mention that the Hedorah suit was about 300 lbs. Wouldn't that have been the heaviest suit up to this point, and only a couple years prior?
These videos are fantastic.
This is definitely in the "for kids" genre. It's difficult not to think this one killed Godzilla for a decade, but maybe that was for the best. Merry Christmas Bill!
This is just what I needed, my Christmas has just been in the toilet. Thank you for this
yes, that damn dolphin boat. just seeing it now reminded me how much it stuck in my head as a kid!!
@Denis-fp7ku
Жыл бұрын
As a kid I didn't know it was a boat. I was confused.
Yeah baby been waiting for another Godzilla history video from you! Thanks for the Christmas present!
Hello Big Action Bill! Merry Christmas to You! As usual, here is the information about the film in Germany. The German rental title is "King Kong - Dämonen aus dem Weltall", which means in Englisch "King Kong - Demons from Outer Space". This time, King Kong is the name of Jet Jaguar. The premiere in Germany took place on December 14, 1973.
@FirithPanda
Жыл бұрын
Wild info! Imagine King Kong just putting on armor that shrinks and grows..
It's very rare that I watch a Godzilla video and learn something I didn't already know but this had a few bits (like that hideous "Godzilla suit" worn at the DNC). Good job!
This is one of the first Godzilla movies I watched. I never liked Jet Jaguar but I love the tag team of Megalon and Gigan.
Thanks so much for these videos
It's my favorite Godzilla movie!❤