2013 IS 1973: "GODZILLA VS. MEGALON" Toho Champion Festival, March 17, 1973

ゴジラとジャガーでパンチ！パンチ！パンチ！


Media Blasters' jacket for the first legit North American DVD release.

The 13th entry in the Godzilla film series is probably the most maligned and lambasted, even more than the infamous GODZILLA VS. HEDORAH (1971), and is also the most misunderstood of them all. Directed by Jun Fukuda, GODZILLA VS. MEGALON was looked upon by film critics in the US as a joke, "Is this what the Japanese are passing off as science fiction these days?" (Cinefantastique), and not realizing that the film was intended, from its inception, as a Kiddie Matinee presentation — part of Toho's Champion Festival programs, packaged with several short subjects: Isao Takahata's animated featurette, PANDA! GO, PANDA! THE RAINY DAY CIRCUS, Masahiro Takase's GO ON, YOUTH!, and a television episode of the Fujio Fujiko animated series KUROBEI OF THE JUNGLE.

Additionally, MEGALON was also cashing in on the Henshin Boom taking television by storm, by throwing a superheroic android into the mix: Jet Jaguar. Meanwhile, Toho launched a spin-off production of its own, ZONE FIGHTER, which premiered on Nippon Television a mere sixteen days later. So, the proceedings in MEGALON aped the wild and bombastic flavor of the pop culture currents — including a song by Guinness World Record recording artist, Masato Shimon. While MEGALON sold the least tickets of the previous entries, it also saw a limited release, but was a hit in the US three years later. For all of its childish histrionics, which are generally mortifying to grownups, MEGALON indeed strikes a cord in youngsters — the film's intended audience — and who's going to argue with that?

OWN IT TODAY: Last August, the Media Blasters label finally issued GODZILLA VS. MEGALON on R1 DVD with both the original Japanese audio (w/English Subtitles) and the English Dubbing, which can be obtained through retailers and online services such as Amazon.com.

MORE ON THE MEGALON DVD DEBACLE And Thus Spoke Media Blasters...

The following was taken from the official Media Blasters Facebook page on April 5, 2011 at 11:56 AM, PST:



Curiouser and curiouser...

(Please note that the poster of the initial inquiry to Media Blasters, makes an erroneous statement which asserts that MEGALON is slated for release "this year", and attributes that statement to me — and I never posted such a thing! To paraphrase Art Linkletter, "People say the darndest things!")

UPDATE: We've heard back from Media Blasters — now that the channels are open — and I'm asking for an official statement from them to clear the air once and for all. Stay tuned...

ROBERT DUNHAM'S DAUGHTER SPEAKS OUT! The MEGALON DVD Debacle Thickens...

Emmy and her father, Robert Dunham. Property of Emiko Jade Frost

The MEGALON DVD plot thickens... In their story refuting my initial report, a separate inquiry to Emiko Jade Frost (the daughter of the late actor Robert Dunham, who was featured in GODZILLA VS. MEGALON) was used to contradict my "inside information" on a planned DVD release of MEGALON. Disgusted by the situation, and how it was being spun to make me look like the April's Fool, she has come out and identified herself as my source.

So, here she is in her own words — posted on my Facebook page this morning — those who still care, can draw their own conclusions (if this hasn't put you all to sleep, that is):

I am Robert Dunham's daughter and I am going to clear up the rumors, once and for all. About a month ago, I was told by someone that they were working on getting "Godzilla vs. Megalon" released on DVD. I had been asked if I wanted to include one of my father's un-released movies as a bonus feature. (I am not going to say who told me this.) Later, I received an email from Keith Aiken, stating that he had read on various forums, that "Godzilla vs Megalon" was going to be released. He asked me if I knew anything about it and if I was going to be adding anything to the movie. At the time, I told him that I didn't know anything about it. I wasn't sure what the nature of his relationship was, with the person who told me - so I kept my mouth shut.

Ever since I created my father's FB fan page, I have noticed a lot of "tension" between certain groups of "fandom" people. For some reason, one side has felt the need to tell me who to like and not like, due to some "differences" they have had in the past. I really don't give a shit, because I will "like" whomever I choose. But it seems all one sided, to me. The other group, the one who are always getting talked down about to me - have had nothing bad to say about this other group. I don't like to get in the middle of these things but it's the group that is doing the complaining, who have consistently shown to me, how childish they are.

Some of you saw what happened between me and [name omitted]. I personally think he's an asshole but hey, that's just me. He is one of the many, who sit there and talk about their OWN friends behind their backs to me and to other people ~ yet they go on trips to Japan with them. It doesn't make any fucking sense. I am sick of hearing about it and it's really fucking immature. What August has been saying, is true. Now, it's just a matter of what was told to me and IF that was true. It doesn't make any sense, why I would be asked to add a bonus feature to a movie, that isn't going to be released. (I was never told to keep this a secret, so when I heard the news, I told a few people.)

What kind of pisses me off, is that I was asked to add the bonus feature but then told, that I wouldn't receive any money for it. Now, why would I just give Media Blasters, one of my Dad's movies to add as a bonus feature for FREE? They'd be making a killing on the movie and I would get nothing? Fuck that! Later, I was told that I would get a little something, but not much. WHY?? So, I have decided NOT to give them the movie and release it myself. At least then, I would know I'd be getting the proceeds and not someone else. I hope I have cleared that up for everyone. Thank you!

"GODZILLA VS. MEGALON" DVD A HOAX? Pie In My Eye? Or Much To Do About Nothing?

This is a story that truly stretches the Borders of Reality! @ Toho

Apparently, there is a contradictory report posted by another website about the previously entry concerning an upcoming GODZILLA VS. MEGALON DVD, alleging that was never happening in the first place. This is curious, because my source claims there were active inquiries asking for their participating in providing materials for a proposed set of special features, and that an audio commentary was mentioned. While I was asked to keep the identity of my source secret, I do have several e-mails which are contrary to these dismissals. I could have attempted to save face by saying, "I know I said that this wasn't an April's Fool joke, but it was — gotcha!", but that's not me.

Sure, I could have contacted Media Blasters or Toho for some kind of confirmation, but as is usually the case with private business dealings — before official announcements are made — if you're not involved on either the Licensor's or the Licensee's side, they will either blow you off or tell you to mind your own business. Or deny it altogether. So, was my source mistaken? Did those who were seeking my source's participation, lie? Was this an "elaborate hoax"? Or was this done to make me look silly? Or to "discredit" me? (Can you feel my eyes rolling into the back of my head?)

I certainly don't feel silly, nor angry, embarrassed, or remotely upset. Rather, I find this pretty insidiously funny, actually. "Sh*t happens", as they say. Now, whatever the case may be, I'm sure that it will "all come out in the wash". Surprisingly, this turgid soap opera actually has become far more interesting that the original subject of the story. Or is it? Again, I do have those e-mails from my source, which would open about a dozen can of worms... But, would that really be worth it? I leave that to the individual to decide. As for me, it looks like I picked the wrong week to quit amphetamines!

"Holy shit, Jet Jaguar! What will we do!?"

"GODZILLA VS. MEGALON" COMING TO R1 DVD! First Official Home Video Release In The Works

GODZILLA VS. MEGALON ©1973 Toho Co,, Ltd.

Right off of the bat, I have to begin by stating that this is not some April Fool's post. Now, after more than three decades of questionable cropped and dupey public domain copies of Jun Fukuda's ultimate kids monster movie, GODZILLA VS. MEGALON (1973) is finally getting the deluxe, anamorphic release that it deserves, according to some sources. Sure, most serious Godzilla fans seem to revile its mere existence, because of its singular attempt at imitating the colorful, kinetic, and psychotronic Terebi Manga and Henshin Hero programs which had taken over the Japanese airwaves and seized the minds of tens of millions of viewers, at that time. Hence the faux Ultraman stand-in, Jet Jaguar. While it was a far cry from the original GODZILLA (1954), MEGALON was emblematic of trends in Japanese pop culture in the early-to-mid 1970s.

After the release of DESTROY ALL MONSTERS in 1968, Producer Tomoyuki Tanaka thought that if Godzilla were to continue, the films would be specifically made and marketed to children. Starting in 1969, with the release of Honda's GODZILLA'S REVENGE the subsequent films were issued as part of Toho's "Champion Festivals", a package of cartoons and re-edited kaiju eiga to keep kiddies occupied for hours, while their mothers shopped in peace. While it is far more polished than its predecessor, GODZILLA VS. GIGAN (1972), MEGALON is far more juvenile — like a kid's daydream — right in step with Tanaka's dictum. While the battlefields are sparse, and the city-destruction relegated to stock footage, there are some nice miniature effects (the destruction of the dam), with impressive photography by Yuzuru Aizawa (DESTROY ALL MONSTERS).

As for the proposed upcoming release, according to a relative of one of the people who worked on MEGALON, a licensed Special Edition is being prepped, and will be replete with special features — including an audio commentary — which are underway or being negotiated for this proposed anamorphic release for the US market. It is not known whether MEGALON will be issued on DVD and/or Blu-ray at this writing, but we have been told that the film has is being licensed by Media Blasters. The New Jersey-based label made a mark issuing a number of classic Toho Fantasy Films, including THE MYSTERIANS (1957), MATANGO (1963), and ATRAGON (1963). Previously, MEGALON was offered to Sony, when they picked up a number of Godzilla titles for release in 2004/05, but passed due to a glut of public domain releases.

In any case, will GODZILLA VS. MEGALON finally be released in all of its scrumtrulescent glory for American fans to rejoice? Toho is notorious for being difficult to work with and Media Blasters' recent stability has been in question, so let's hope that they both can come to a quick agreement and get the wheels on this running as soon as possible. Personally, I can't wait to see a visibly embarrassed Robert Dunham wearing a silky toga and silver tiara in glorious HD, and turn up the volume on legendary vocalist Masato Shimon singing "Godzilla & Jaguar, Punch! Punch! Punch!" — and let myself be transported back to 1976, when things were more simpler and sweeter for children, and Godzilla was our undefeatable King of the Monsters!

Note: Please read this important update!