I know I’m late posting this week. Again. But that’s what happens when someone lets Barugon out of the kaiju zone on Monster Island and MIBOD (the Board) tasks you with recovering him and installing a new fail-safe in the security system. Mechani-Kong Mk. 2 and I have been busy. Sadly, Jet Jaguar is going through a weird retro phase and was too busy modding himself in my garage to help. However, I’ve finally found some downtime to get this blog written and posted.
My notes/corrections/riffs for episode 34 on, conveniently (hmm…), Gamera vs. Barugon are:
- I’ve yet to test the shielding against the wrathful lightning of otakus. We have new shielding coming in next month, supplied by Solstice Technologies. I’ve been assured that it can withstand even Godzilla’s atomic breath.
- Executive produced by Gamera? While I know none of his own movies were produced by him, there are rumors he might be an uncredited producer on Godzilla vs. Kong, but that might only be so he can rub his new “king of the monsters” title in those two’s faces.
- I may or may not be on the “feed to Barugon list”? Ever seen the post-credits scene in Pacific Rim? I did that before Hannibal Chau. Long story.
- How to say, “I pity the fool!” in Japanese. (Mic drop).
- Beriberi is a thiamine (or vitamin B1) deficiency. It doesn’t sound pleasant.
- The psychiatric admission during the War in Space wasn’t as high as the New Guinea Campaign, but it was potent. Lovecraftian fear of the void is real. Trust me, I know. I may have met an elder god once in my travels in space.
- It’s Chris “Cook” not “cookie,” Joe. Also, “otaku” isn’t part of his name. However, I lay this goof on Nate because he gave you a poorly written note. I’m sure Chris loves cookies, though, and might even start a second podcast about cookies.
Now, for Nate’s leftover notes:
The Movie
- Awkward jump cut in early scene because a prop fell down.
- The color in this does look nice.
- Here’s a horrific death for the kids. Not really. But it’s the fastest five minutes ever. (This is why I don’t like time travel. –Jimmy)
- Grenades with fuses instead of pins? Okay. Never seen anything like that. (Actually, old grenades—as in Civil War era—did have fuses. –Jimmy)
- I just realized this guy has a farmer’s tan. Nice detail. (You’d notice because you have one, Nate. You need a little more time on the Monsterland beaches. –Jimmy)
- Barugon’s birth is actually pretty effective. It’s weird and creepy and even a bit gross. Yuasa said it was one of his favorite scenes.
- Barugon appears about 41 minutes in.
- The random narrator didn’t need to explain what was happening on screen.
- “We have to strike the monster out of range of its tongue attack.” (Horrible paraphrase).
- Gamera finally returns almost 53 minutes in!
- I think Gamera is getting high on Barugon’s breath. (The scientists on the Island tested that theory. Barugon’s breath isn’t a narcotic, thankfully. –Jimmy)
- Here’s a science lesson for you! (What science lesson was that? That kaiju like shiny things? –Jimmy)
- Did everyone forget about Gamera this whole time? (You definitely can’t now! –Jimmy)
- I can see the wires as Barugon dies. (I could use those wires now! –Jimmy)
- Commentary:
- The flashback wasn’t in the film originally. Added for those who didn’t see it.
- The screenplay originally had the meteor change the capsule’s course and it re-entered the atmosphere.
- Kurobe Dam is 610 feet tall and Japan’s largest.
- The koto is the national instrument of Japan. (I took some lessons for it as a kid while living in Japan for a while. –Jimmy)
- Gamera originally appeared before Barugon was born. Onodera saw the turtle flying, dropped the opal, and it fell under a lamp.
- The reverence for the war dead’s bones is because not returning them is believed to break family lines and bring bad luck.
- The Sandy Frank dub mistranslated the line about Barugon’s weakness to water. In the Japanese dialogue, it’s stated he can’t live long in water. (It’s still dubious. –Jimmy)
- Lake Biwa is the largest freshwater lake in Japan.
- Other factoids
- Director Noriaki Yuasa was replaced with Shigeo Tanaka, one of Daiei’s top directors who helmed the prestige picture, The Great Wall (and WWII propaganda films for Daiei). Yuasa became special effects director.
- It was released on double bill with Daimajin in 1966 during Japan’s “Golden Week” and was considered a major event.
Nate continues to improve his skills at sharing his notes on the Toku Topics. He got through all of them in this episode.
Next week we cover a very different film with the banned Prophecies of Nostradamus, which will feature the return of my former social media nemesis, John LeMay. That film was buried deep in the back of the Vault right next to Half-Human. Then the “Year of Gamera” continues with what might be the most famous (not “infamous”—that’s later) entry in the Titanic Terrapin’s classic movie series: Gamera vs. Gyaos. Nate will be joined by my other (former?) nemesis, Michael Hamilton, and mailman by day, actor by night, Damon Noyes (no relation to Adam).
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a huge ice-breathing reptile to catch with my giant robot ape.
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