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Episode 31: ‘Space Amoeba’ (feat. Giant Monster BS)

Published December 23, 2020

Hello. kaiju lovers!

The end has come…for MIFV’s first season, that is. It was supposed to be an epic episode on Godzilla vs. Kong…but instead Nathan is joined by Matt and Gratton from the “Giant Monster Ben Shapiro,” er, “BS” podcast to discuss Space Amoeba (aka Yog, Monster from Space), a weird lesser classic from the Toho tokusatsu library. Released in 1970, it marked a shift in the Showa era for Toho films. This was the year special effects wizard Eiji Tsuburaya died, the studio contract system was discontinued in Japan, and Ishiro Honda left Toho, just to name a few big changes. Jet Jaguar hung out with the intrepid Jimmy From NASA in the producer booth to act as a “dump button” in case the GMBS boys went full-tilt HBO on a family show. They along with Nathan discuss the film’s quirky characters and plot, its three well-executed but almost forgotten monsters, and the wonders of the “Weedmobile” before Jimmy is called away to quell a rowdy Godzilla and Kong with his newly rebuilt Mechani-Kong. That goes about as well as you’d expect, so Nathan, Matt, and Gratton have to pilot another giant robot to save his intrepidness.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, kaiju lovers!

Read Jimmy’s Notes on this episode.

Listen to Matt and Gratton’s episode on Space Amoeba.

The prologue and epilogue were written by Nathan Marchand.

This episode features sound effects sourced from www.FreeSound.org, Brand Name Audio, and the Pipeworks/Atari Godzilla video games.

The music tracks heard in this episode are “Global Defense Force: Moguera” by Heavy Melody Music (from the Godzilla Unleashed OST) and “King Kong 2 – Main Theme (Metal Cover)” by Sharp Rain Music.

The episode thumbnail was created by Michael Hamilton.

We’d like to give a shout-out to our Patreon patrons Travis Alexander and Michael Hamilton (co-hosts of Kaiju Weekly); Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Eli Harris (elizilla13); Chris Cooke (host of One Cross Radio), and Bex from Redeemed Otaku! Thanks for your support!

You, too, can support us on Patreon and get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month!

This episode is approved by the Monster Island Board of Directors.

Podcast Social Media:
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Facebook
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Follow Jimmy on Twitter: @NasaJimmy
Follow the Monster Island Board of Directors on Twitter: @MonsterIslaBOD

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault

© 2020 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

  • The Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies Volume 1: 1954-1982 by John LeMay
  • Ishiro Honda: A Life in Film, from Godzilla to Kurosawa by Steve Ryfle and Ed Godzisewski
  • Japanese Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films: A Critical Analysis and Filmography of 103 Features Released in the United States 1950-1992 by Stuart Galbraith IV
  • Kaijuvision Radio, Episode 53: Space Amoeba (1970) (Japanese Colonialism in Oceania)
  • Mushroom Clouds and Mushroom Men: The Fantastic Cinema of Ishiro Honda by Peter H. Brothers
  • Writing Giant Monsters by John LeMay

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Jimmy’s Notes on ‘Episode 30: Latitude Zero (Mini-Analysis)’

Published December 16, 2020

So…this episode. There’s much I want to say…but I’m not at liberty to do so. There were some…top secret items discussed off the air. Very top secret. That’s all I can say for the moment. Our meeting with Ms. Perkins was quite informative. Eye-opening, even. She made Nathan, er, Nate and me privy to some information that will change how we do the show, and we only announced a little bit of it. Let’s just say next season we’ll be helping you all find a better way forward.

As for my notes, I don’t have many bullet points of my own this time around. Mostly, I’m just going to comment on some things that were said.

I was wrong about the Godzilla vs. Kong premiere. That’s not easy to admit. As the “intrepid” producer of MIFV, it’s my responsibility to fact check Nate, but I should’ve fact checked myself. I got caught up in the excitement of a world premiere on the Island six months before its scheduled release (which would’ve been even better given Warner Bros.’s controversial decision to send it to theaters and HBO Max on the same day). Nate had every right to say, “I don’t you so.”

I am happy to report that there will still be a premiere here on Monster Island in May, barring any other unforeseen shenanigans. (Latitude Zero’s COVID-19 vaccine can’t get distributed fast enough).

By the way, if you’re interested in learning more about the Latitude Zero Resort in Indonesia (not that I’d endorse anyone who might be competition for the Island), here’s their website.

And now for Nate’s leftover notes from the film…which is most of them since he focused on utopias.

Latitude Zero notes:

  • I watched the “original Japanese version” for this episode. Dubious because this was made for the US market and filmed in English. I watched the US version before. (Good thing I picked up some Japanese when my family lived in Japan for a few years. I’ll tell you more about that when we get to a certain Gamera film. –Jimmy)
  • Of course the largest ocean liner is named Fuji. (If it was an American ship, it’d be the Denali. Hmm. Not as cool-sounding, I guess. –Jimmy)
  • Nick Hayden joked (in episode 28) that Dr. Elson would smoke in sub, and Masson tries to here!
  • “20 fathoms”? Try 20,000! (It’s like Scotty on Star Trek: always multiplying his estimates by a thousand. –Jimmy)
  • Did Takarada dub himself back into Japanese? It’d be weird if he didn’t. (That seems likely since Wikizilla only lists dub actors for the American cast members. –Jimmy)
  • This explosion at the beginning looks amazing! Probably done using classic technique or pouring colored liquids into water and flipping the film and superimposing it.
  • This is much like The Green Slime in that it feels more like an American production that just happened to be made by Japanese people.
  • Dr. Ann Barton looks like she came straight off the set of Star Trek. Only there could a lady scientist have a backless top, miniskirt, and go-go boots. One guy even says she doesn’t “look” like a doctor. “What’s a doctor supposed to look like?” (I’m not complaining. –Jimmy)
  • The plaque says, “The Alpha. Launched June 21, 1805. Stornaway Harbour, Hebrides.” Scotland.
  • “Frank speed?” Sounds like a comic book character.
  • Ah, Dr. Malik. Played the unconquerable Caesar Romero. He’s one of the few true supervillains in Toho’s Showa films. Could he be a Sentai villain? Home base. Minions. A general. Makes monsters. Super vehicles. Blood Rock on an island. “Malik” means murderer (probably derived from “malice.”) (I wonder if he invested in the Island? –Jimmy)
  • This submarine chase looks pretty good. I wish could say the same for all the effects that follow. This feels like a Star Trek battle, complete with shaking camera. McKenzie eludes the Black Shark using superior and clever tactics.
  • You know, I could almost see this being an episode of Star Trek with some tweaks. (Me too. –Jimmy)
  • 11,000 fathoms? 9,000 more and you’ll find THE BEAST! (THE BEAST! THE BEAST!FROM 20,000 FATHOM! I couldn’t resist.  –Jimmy)
  • Great matte paintings. Reminds me of an episode of TNG set on idyllic planet where the only penalty is death. (I remember that for other reasons. –Jimmy)
  • Gold is harvested from seawater (okay…) and used for clothing because it’s cheap and plentiful. Diamonds are only used as cutting tools.
  • Lawton says there’s no moon or stars there, so you can’t have everything. He says everyone Mackenzie mentioned was there supposedly died. Tashiro even jokes that it might be Heaven (Paradise). Lawton theorizes McKenzie kidnapped those people and brainwashed them. Or drugs that induced hallucinations.
  • Those models on the map are props in the special effects department (Leave the riffing to me, Nate. –Jimmy)
  • Dr. Odaka has made a serum that immunizes against radiation and naturally everyone wants it. (Yeah, that’s one they should’ve shared with the world. –Jimmy)
  • Oh, the “Bat Men.” Do they fight Kamen Rider later? Nakajima is one of them. They don’t look great.
  • All the Asian people are subservient to the foreigners. Cleat mark of American story.
  • Caesar Romero’s scenes veer closer to Batman ’66.
  • They’re bathing in Ecto-Cooler (in the Bath of Immunity).
  • What if the bath didn’t work and you shot them? (Sounds like a debate question. –Jimmy)
  • That lion looks horribly fake. (You look horribly fake! 😛 –Jimmy)
  • Malic is a fiend! He didn’t anesthetize the lion. He just stabbed it in the head. (He must’ve been a dentist before he was a mad scientist. –Jimmy)
  • Does he have explosives planted everywhere on the island just in case of intruders? (I think the Board did the same thing on Monster Island because Malik did it first. Be careful on your next nature walk. –Jimmy)
  • The ROUS! You can see the zipper on them.
  • What’s attacking them? Tiny seagulls?
  • “FINGER LASERS!” (No one else gets that reference, Nate. –Jimmy)
  • The disintegration effects are really good. And kinda freaky.
  • Jimmy loves the Alpha. It’s Atragon II. Or the forerunner to the Gohten. (All true. –Jimmy)
  • Apparently, the Black Shark can’t fly. Malik must be jealous.
  • In the end, none of Lawton’s photos turn out and the bag of diamonds is dirt. The Capt. McKenzie on the boat says he comes from a long line. There’s also an officer who looks like Dr. Tashiro. There’s also a Lt., Hastings who looks like Malik. However, the New York bank did get the diamonds to hold for safekeeping until McKenzie arrived. (Talk about confusing! No wonder Nate doesn’t think LZ exists! –Jimmy)

Next week for our season finale, the guys from “Giant Monster BS” are joining us to discuss Space Amoeba (aka Yog, Monster from Space). I know how they are, so I’m having Jet Jaguar in the producer booth with me to act as my dump button. Also, Nate recorded a two-part bonus episode with Chris Cooke from “One Cross Radio” on the finale of Power Rangers In Space. It was mandated by Ms. Perkins, for some reason. Part one will be on Chris’s show and part two will be in the MIFV feeds. Then in January we start “The Year of Gamera.” Exciting (and hopefully less “interesting”) times are ahead!

Follow me on Twitter: @NasaJimmy

Follow the Board on Twitter: @MonsterIslaBOD

#JimmyFromNASALives

#WeShallOvercome

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Episode 30: ‘Latitude Zero’ (Mini-Analysis)

Published December 9, 2020

Hello, kaiju lovers!

This week’s episode is a “traditional” mini-analysis of Latitude Zero, an almost obscure 1969 Toho science fiction film directed by Ishiro Honda, who probably had to take a dip in the “Bath of Immunity” to endure the stress of making it. To say it was harrowing would be an understatement. This strange American/Japanese co-production has a troubled history full of clashing sensibilities and creative differences (which you can hear more about in MIFV episode six). However, the main topic of the episode is the concept of utopia because Latitude Zero seems to be a rare example in fiction of a successful one. Spoiler warning: Nathan doesn’t buy it. 

Afterward, Nathan and Jimmy are visited by the Monster Island Board of Directors’ executive assistant, Ms. Perkins, who is the Island’s head of PR. She wanted to discuss recent “fake news” being spread by Jimmy From NASA and also announce the Board’s decision on Nathan’s proposals for season two of MIFV. All this plus listener feedback! 

This episode features Celeste Mora as Ms. Perkins (Twitter: @VOCelesteMora).

The song heard in the episode is “Opening the Way” by Pablo Coma, which is a remix from the video game Shadow of the Colossus. It is from the OCRemix album, BadAss Boss Themes: Volume III.

The episode thumbnail was created by Michael Hamilton.

We’d like to give a shout-out to our Patreon patrons Travis Alexander and Michael Hamilton (co-hosts of Kaiju Weekly); Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Eli Harris (elizilla13); Chris Cooke (host of One Cross Radio), and Bex from Redeemed Otaku! Thanks for your support!

You, too, can support us on Patreon and get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month!

This episode is approved by the Monster Island Board of Directors.

Read Jimmy’s Notes on this episode.

Podcast Social Media:
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram

Follow Jimmy on Twitter: @NasaJimmy
Follow the Monster Island Board of Directors on Twitter: @MonsterIslaBOD

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault

© 2020 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

  • “The Ambiguous Necessity of Utopia: Post-Colonial Literatures and the Persistence of Hope” by Bill Ashcroft (Social Alternatives, Vol. 28 No.3, 2009)
  • The Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies Volume 1: 1954-1982 by John LeMay
  • The Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies: The Lost Films (Mutated Edition) by John LeMay
  • “Dystopia: Who Needs It?” by Adrian Mourby (History Today; Dec 2003; 53, 12; ProQuest Research Library, pg. 16)
  • Ishiro Honda: A Life in Film, from Godzilla to Kurosawa by Steve Ryfle and Ed Godzisewski
  • Japanese Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films: A Critical Analysis and Filmography of 103 Features Released in the United States 1950-1992 by Stuart Galbraith IV
  • Kaijuvision Radio – Episode 52: Latitude Zero (1969) (The South China Sea Disputes)
  • Mushroom Clouds and Mushroom Men: The Fantastic Cinema of Ishiro Honda by Peter H. Brothers
  • “News from Somewhere: Enhanced Sociability and the Composite Definition of Utopia and Dystopia” by Gregory Claeys (The Journal of the Historical Association)
  • “Pragmatism, Utopia and Anti-Utopia” by Ruth Levitas (Critical Horizons: A Journal of Philosophy and Social Theory 9.1, May 2008, 42–59)
  • “The problem with utopia” by Michael Shermer (This Week and Aeon)
  • Utopia by Thomas More
  • “Utopia isn’t just idealistic fantasy – it inspires people to change the world” by Heather Alberro (The Conversation)
  • “Utopian Fiction as Moral Philosophy; Imagination and Critique” by Roger J. H. King (Utopian Studies, No. 3 (1991), pp. 72-78)
  • Writing Giant Monsters by John LeMay

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Jimmy’s Notes on ‘Episode 29: War of the Gargantuas (feat. Ben Chaffins)’

Published December 2, 2020

As I mentioned on Twitter today in my latest “tweet duel” with Marchand, I’m blaming this blog’s tardiness on tryptophan. Thanksgiving was a week ago, but whoever cooked that turkey must’ve added more of that stuff to it. (I can neither confirm nor deny that it may have been a kaiju turkey). Suffice it to say, the American personnel on Monster Island had a good time.

Strangely, I only wrote a few notes while listening to the live broadcast of the episode on War of the Gargantuas:

  • I think Marchand is on crack. I can’t find a different version of “The Words Get Stuck in My Throat” from the dubbed version of the movie. I did find out that DEVO covered it in 1979. They make it bearable.
  • Speaking of the song…why, Marchand, why?! Why did you say the Board would play that song in the elevators?! You know they’ll do it!
  • Kipp Hamilton died in 1981, so she won’t be able to sing for us on the Island. But like I said, DEVO cover.

Here are Nathan’s leftover notes with my annotations:

  • Starts with the Oodako (giant octopus). Tsuburaya had a thing for them. They show up in his movies and TV series often. It gets a beating from Kong and Gaira.
  • Gaira appears in four minutes.
  • These subtitles are a bit confused. First they say, “Frankenstein” (which the actor does say), but then they say, “Gargantua,” like the dub. And it comes out of nowhere.
  • Again, G98 parallels with the wrecked boats on shore with skin on it.
  • “Call 110!” (I’m guessing this is the Japanese version of 911. –Jimmy)
  • “Operation L,” huh? (Operation Luigi? Lorax? Lumpy? Oh, no! Not the Holiday Special! –Jimmy)
  • Gaira sorta goes after pigs in a barn like Baragon does a horse.
  • The protagonists hardly do anything. There’s a lot of military procedurals with nondescript soldiers.
  • Suddenly Gaira can handle sunlight better after Sanda saves him. And Sanda isn’t bothered by light.
  • Thankfully, the Gargantua suits look much better when wet than Kong.
  • Tamblyn and Mizuno talk about how the young people go out during times of trouble, which the same in evert country. They go hiking when kaiju are around. Youth filled cafes and theatres when Nazis occupied Paris. It’s a bit of thematic weight, anyway.
  • You’d think the whole plotline with any bits of flesh growing into other Gargnatuas would be a bigger deal in this. (The scientists here monitor them and Frankie closely because of this. –Jimmy)
  • Several clips from this film are used as part of the closing ceremonies at G-Fest. (One of these days I should attend. –Jimmy)
  • There is brief conflict between the scientists and soldiers over if the Gargantauas—or at least Sanda—should be kept alive for study. (This debate happens daily here on the Island. Just kidding. S.C.A.L.E. would sue us into oblivion if we hurt any of the kaiju. –Jimmy)
  • The fights have choreography more like wrestling matches because the monsters are humanoid. Brutal. (I may have been in a few Japanese wrestling matches…. –Jimmy)
  • Using a sweet-smelling flower to revive a woman? Clever. (I’ve tried it a few times. It works very well, if you know what I mean. –Jimmy)
  • It isn’t explained, but the helicopter’s bombing is what causes the volcanic eruption that swallows the Gargantuas.
  • It ends abruptly and on a bit of a dour note.

Honda Biography:

  • Since the monsters were smaller, the miniatures were larger and more detailed. This pleased Honda because the Toho art department had been cut from 32 to 14.
  • The Americanized script required nine scenes to be filmed two different ways.

Peter H. Brothers

  • Kimura’s script based on treatment by Reuben Bercovitch.
  • Nick Adams was unavailable because he was filming The Killing Bottle. Also, due to him trying to propose to Kumi Mizuno, there may have been tension between the two of them. (No excuse. –Jimmy)
  • He argues Tamblyn’s poor performance is can be blamed partially on Honda because he was easygoing and didn’t usually micro-manage actors.
  • This could be the saddest ending of any Honda film not because of character or monster death but the death of Akemi’s optimism in the final scenes.

Again, it’s short and sweet today.

You’ll be happy to know I made a glorious return to the producer booth for next week’s episode, which had Nathan going solo for a mini-analysis of Latitude Zero, which stars the Joker himself, Caesar Romero. We were also joined by Ms. Perkins, who had…important things to tell us. I am not at liberty to say more. After that is our season finale with Matt and Gratton from the Giant Monster BS podcast to discuss Space Amoeba. It’s hard to believe one chapter about to end and another one begin. “Poor Marchand,” is all I can say. For those who didn’t hear the live broadcast, you’ll understand next week.

Follow me on Twitter: @NasaJimmy

Follow the Board on Twitter: @MonsterIslaBOD

#JimmyFromNASALives

#WeShallOvercome

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Episode 29: ‘War of the Gargantuas’ (feat. Ben Chaffins)

Published November 25, 2020

Hello, kaiju lovers!

In this episode, Nathan is joined by Sci-Fi Japan writer Ben Chaffins to discuss what is, honestly, an overrated classic: War of the Gargantuas. This “pseudo-sequel” to Frankenstein Conquers the World outdoes its predecessor in only one way: the kaiju. Sanda and Gaira are the best characters in the movie, which is sad given that it stars Toho staples Kumi Mizuno, Kenji Sahara, and Nobuo Nakamura. Unfortunately, it also features a belligerently apathetic Russ Tamblyn walking around like a disinterested robot—on purpose. You’ll hear Ben and I discuss the farfetched but interesting interpretations of what, no joke, is apparently Brad Pitt and Quentin Tarantino’s favorite monster movie, and those interpretations include connections to Cain & Abel, “The Sea Boy and the Mountain Boy,” the Vietnam War, and Japan’s national identity. Also, Jimmy was on “paid leave,” so everyone’s favorite superhero robot, Jet Jaguar, filled in for him in the producer booth this episode.

Check out the Shin Godzilla and GMK article by Jack “GMan” Hudgens that Ben and Nathan mentioned here.

Episode image created by Michael Hamilton.

We’d like to give a shout-out to our Patreon patrons Travis Alexander and Michael Hamilton (co-hosts of Kaiju Weekly); Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Eli Harris (elizilla13); Chris Cooke (host of One Cross Radio), and Bex from Redeemed Otaku! Thanks for your support!

You, too, can support us on Patreon and get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month!

This episode is approved by the Monster Island Board of Directors.

Read Jimmy’s Notes on this episode.

Podcast Social Media:
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Facebook
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Follow Jimmy on Twitter: @NasaJimmy
Follow the Monster Island Board of Directors on Twitter: @MonsterIslaBOD

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault

© 2020 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

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Jimmy’s Notes on ‘Episode 28: Nick Hayden vs. The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms’

Published November 18, 2020

As Aerosmith once sang, “I’m back in the saddle again!”

It was nice getting some time off work and spending it in my garage with Jet Jaguar working on Mechani-Kong Mk. 2 (who’s almost done). I’ve only used about half of the parts I salvaged from both Mogueras. I should do something with the rest of them. Hmm….

I heard the initial broadcast for episode 29 while on my Board-mandated vacation, and I admit that Nathan did a good job without me and Jet did fine as my sub. But all of you will have wait until next week to hear it.

Anyway, on to my notes from episode 28:

  • It’s “transpacific flight” not “transatlantic flight,” Nathan. Wrong ocean.
  • Nick, from what the Island’s scientists have told me, there were more dinosaur and kaiju fossils up there in the Arctic than what you found. Possibly. Maybe. … I can neither confirm nor deny.
  • Oops. I wrote “Harryhausen” when I meant “Bradbury” in the info dump. And yet Nathan still read it that way. Thankfully, he fixed it in post, as obvious as it is.
  • A Life Day card and present? Seriously, Marchand? I reserve the right not to accept it. Even if that damn holiday is canon now. Also, I’m saving the “chill pills” for you, you hyperactive goof!
  • “Red” will eat anything, regardless of “deliciousness” or lack thereof.
  • Yes, I do have a Disco Space Nun flying saucer in my garage. I still haven’t gotten it opened, though. Personally, I’d rather find and examine a Xilien saucer. I’ve heard rumors there might be one of two that survived the invasion of 196X. I’ll keep you posted.
  • Hmm. A music festival on the Island? Maybe I should get my band back together….
  • So, funny story about how I found that orbital manhole cover: It was during the final test flight for the Gohten just before the War in Space. We were testing the Space Fighter launcher—you know, the brilliantly designed giant magnum revolver—to make sure it didn’t accidentally switch to laser cannon mode. I volunteered for the test. The launch system worked, but as I flew out, something splattered on my Space Fighter’s windshield. I thought it was a Space Bug (nasty things), but when I returned to the Gohten, I discovered that it was a fragment of that infamous manhole cover. It’d gotten stuck to my windshield thanks to some gum. I’ve no idea how it got there (what was that sewer worker chewing?!) or how it survived atmospheric entry (seriously, what was he chewing?!), and it did need to be removed with my laserknife (tough stuff). I wear it proudly as a pin, as you heard.
  • It’s “Manhattan Project,” Nathan, not “Project Manhattan.” Was that what the Dutch colonists who founded the city called their endeavor?
  • I do love pun times. Keep it up, Nick!
  • Here’s a link to the Godzilla zip line in mainland Japan. I think there’s a proposal to build one here on the Island, although I don’t know which Godzilla design will be used.
  • Nathan was wrong—Ray Bradbury did not write for The Outer Limits. In fact, he didn’t write for any TV series. However, his works were adapted by several TV series, including Tales of Tomorrow and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. He did contribute several scripts to The Twilight Zone, as Nick alluded to, but only one was produced: “I Sing the Body Electric,” which was the 100th episode and later adapted into a short story. (Who’s the lit nerd now, Marchand?)
  • Yeah, a World Children’s Land on Monster Island would be interesting, but where would the Board even put it? We barely have room for all the kaiju.
  • I’m not sure when I’ll finish my memoir, but I could always use your connections in the publishing world, Nathan. As for why I didn’t have you be a beta reader…well, as you’ve said yourself, Nick is the better writer. Sorry not sorry.

Now on to Nathan’s leftover notes. He’s gotten better about not overdoing his research and presenting most of his findings. In fact, he got through all of his notes on the Toku Topics.

The Film

  • I thought this WB logo wasn’t until the ‘80s? (Perhaps it was added later? –Jimmy)
  • Swirling drain! (insert obvious joke here). Or is it the proto-Ultra Q?
  • Gamera the Giant Monster copied some of this beginning. (Much to Nathan’s chagrin. –Jimmy)
  • Rhedosaurus appears 9 minutes in.
  • These are impressive arctic sets. The snow is better than Daimajin Strikes Again. You really feel the cold.
  • Awkward jump cut at 32:00.
  • Tom knows French? Okay. Convenient.
  • 43 minutes in, we get the ‘adaptation” part of the film. The attack on the lighthouse. Unlike in the story, there’s no fog horn. I think the monster gets angry at the light.
  • Army/Navy game. College football, man.
  • Section 8 discharge. I can’t hear that without thinking of Klinger from M*A*S*H*.
  • Tom and Lee see a ballet together. Which is it? (Shout-out to Bex and Princess Tutu!) (Don’t you owe Bex video proof that you can do ballet positions? Tsk tsk. –Jimmy)
  • Interestingly, they use a radioactive isotope to kill the beast. This once again illustrates the different attitudes toward nuclear things between the U.S. and Japan. Although, it could be argued that nuclear solutions are used later (Godzilla is atomic, and his ray powers the device that kills Hedorah). Then there’s KOTM19….
  • The soldier is a dead shot. How about that, Jimmy? (At least he’s not a Stormtrooper. –Jimmy)

It’s short and sweet today.

As I already alluded to, next week Nathan is joined by Sci-Fi Japan writer Ben Chaffins, not for a bonus interview but to discuss the Toho classic War of the Gargantuas. Then Nathan does a mini-analysis of the semi-obscure—and quirky—Toho film, Latitude Zero. Expect lots of Batman jokes.

See you next week!

Follow me on Twitter: @NasaJimmy
Follow the Board on Twitter: @MonsterIslaBOD

#JimmyFromNASALives
#WeShallOvercome

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Episode 28: Nick Hayden vs. ‘The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms’

Published November 11, 2020

Hello, kaiju lovers!

The Beast! The Beast! THE BEAST! From 20,000 Fathoms!

Nathan is joined by his friend and regular Monster Island Tourist Nick Hayden for the first Ray Harryhausen film covered on MIFV: The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms. This 1953 classic—the Jaws of its time, as Nick says—is one of the seminal films in the kaiju genre. It was the first “atomic monster” movie. Without it, we may have not gotten Godzilla in 1954. It was “suggested by” a Ray Bradbury story, which delights Nathan and Nick as both writers and classic lit nerds. Also, if you’re looking for quirky band names, this is the episode for you! So, join them for the final full-length film discussion of the season—despite Jimmy From NASA’s claims of a special Godzilla vs. Kong premiere on the Island in a few weeks.

The Toku Topics are a brief history of nuclear tests and a brief history of amusement parks since both factor into this film.

We’d like to give a shout-out to our Patreon patrons Travis Alexander and Michael Hamilton (co-hosts of Kaiju Weekly); Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Eli Harris (elizilla13); Chris Cooke (host of One Cross Radio), and Bex from Redeemed Otaku! Thanks for your support!

You, too, can support us on Patreon and get perks like this starting at only $3 a month!

This episode is approved by the Monster Island Board of Directors.

Episode image created by Michael Hamilton.

Read Jimmy’s Notes on this episode.

Timestamps:
Intro: 0:00-6:22
Entertaining Info Dump: 6:22-13:14
Toku Talk: 13:14-1:02:58
Toku Topic: 1:02:58-1:44:08
Outro: 1:44:08-1:52:38
Epilogue: 1:52:38-end

Podcast Social Media:
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Follow Jimmy on Twitter: @NasaJimmy
Follow the Monster Island Board of Directors on Twitter: @MonsterIslaBOD

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© 2020 Nathan Marchand & Moonlighting Ninjas Media

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Jimmy’s Notes on ‘Episode 27: Frankenstein Conquers the World (feat. Travis Alexander)’

Published November 4, 2020

First, let me apologize to the Patrons because I didn’t get this finished in time for early access. You see, I was tasked by the Board of Directors with caretaking for the Matango while Dr. Douriff was on sabbatical for Halloween weekend, and I had…a weird experience that left me in the Monster Island Infirmary. Then, as announced by the Board on Twitter, I was given a clean bill of health but told to take a paid week off work. Normally, I’d probably come into the studio anyway, but I got used to spending the extra time in my garage working on Mechani-Kong Mk. 2 with Jet Jaguar. That knocked me out of my normal routine, so this didn’t get written in time for Patrons. That shouldn’t be an issue going forward.

As usual, with this being a shorter episode and derived from Nathan’s grad school research paper, I don’t have a lot in my notes. Regardless, let’s get into them.

My Notes:

  • Is it “Bar-a-gon” or “bare-a-gon,” Nathan? Pronunciations!
  • Nathan forgot to mention Frankenberry cereal when he said he would bring it up in an episode I don’t feel like talking about.
  • Was there a gremlin in Travis’s mic? It bugged out a few times. Did Goji-kun and Bro Kong return from fighting COVID-19 yet?
  • Actually, Frankenstein has been translated into Japanese six times, and two of those were before this film was released (1953 and 1959).
  • Can you blame me for crushing on Kumi Mizuno? I mean, look at her!
  • I might have to buy one of Travis’s T-shirts. Nathan already has one.
  • Yeah, I still don’t allow bearskin rugs into my apartment. And only recently did I let Chewbacca toys in. Because this thing.

Nathan’s Leftover Notes:

  • Un-subtitled German later. Indiana Jones-style map sequence. Japanese officers suggests the Germans are giving them Hitler. Implies he wasn’t dead but was hiding. (He’s dead. No boys from Brazil here. –Jimmy)
  • 15 years later, Dr. Bowen is working to treat radiation victims in Hiroshima. Treats dying child whose parents died in A-bomb. “The story of Hiroshima is too tragic. But it’s also a fact that is has given us the opportunity to study the cellular tissues of the human body. We must work to turn tragedy into eternal peace and happiness in the future.” (Nick Adams is awesome. –Jimmy)
  • Dr. Bowen: “…I came here after the war, because I was one of the people concerned about the A-bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima. I wanted to spend my life rehabilitating mankind, not in destroying it. But the more research work I do, the more I am troubled by my doubts. So I’m thinking of returning to America to start all over again.” (Nick Adams is still awesome. –Jimmy)
  • Like in King Kong, the feminine presence calms the savage.
  • A reporter asks if the boy was born after the war, but Bowen dodges it. (Like a boss! –Jimmy)
  • Minor character says he wouldn’t be surprised if a boy like Frankenstein was born after thousands of people died in bombings.
  • Baragon teased 23 minutes or so in.
  • Frankenstein is violent but also curious. He smashes a TV but won’t hurt Sueko. Goes for her necklace when it seemed he would attack her.
  • Is Frankenstein human? Some say he isn’t because he was manmade or acts savage. Put him in a zoo. Cut off his limbs to test if he is because he’s not a human being. Like Hibakusha.
  • Why is he is growing gigantic now in a short time and not during the 15 years he was in the city? (Because reasons. –Jimmy)
  • Like King Kong, he’s set off by lights.
  • Interestingly, Frankenstein never eats people. (Unlike his “son.” –Jimmy)
  • Frankenstein isn’t filmed like kaiju. He lacks the illusion of size because his footage wasn’t slowed down.
  • It’s Thing! 😛 (Which “Thing”? There are several. –Jimmy)
  • How and why did the severed hand shrink?
  • Where does Frankenstein find clothes that fit him? (From Kaiju Weekly’s Tee Public store, of course! –Jimmy)
  • The miniature work is still pretty effective.
  • This is a road/travel movie with all of these locations! Another map sequence.
  • Dr. Bowen is somewhat like Dr. Yamane in saying Frankie shouldn’t be killed.
  • This story is like the Universal film in that Frankie is a misunderstood monster who is tragically killed.
  • Baragon finally appears 56 minutes in. He seems to initially be filmed like proper kaiju.
  • Kimura’s reporters don’t believe the story of an innocent Frankie and the evil dinosaur. Even seem callous. Laugh it off. Unlike Sekizawa’s reporters.
  • At least two pieces of music in this film were recycled in Godzilla vs. Gigan.
  • If you want to kill him, capture him and starve him of protein. The hand died. (For the record, he isn’t treated like this on Monster Island. –Jimmy)
  • The noise Frankenstein makes at the end—the sorta scream—is a bit annoying.
  • Now Baragon is moving too quickly. It’s like Godzilla Raids Again.
  • Frankie has some nasty fangs.
  • Sequel baits at the end. (Only in the alternate ending—which does kinda payoff.. –Jimmy)

That’s all for today.

Join us next week when Nathan is joined once again by his friend Nick Hayden. This time they discuss the first Ray Harryhausen film covered on MIFV, The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms. Then later this month Nathan will be visited by Sci-Fi Japan writer Ben Chaffins to talk about this film’s pseudo-sequel, War of the Gargantuas.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, that robot monkey is calling.

Follow me on Twitter: @NasaJimmy

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#JimmyFromNASALives
#WeShallOvercome

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Episode 27: ‘Frankenstein Conquers the World’ (feat. Travis Alexander)

Published October 28, 2020

Hello, kaiju lovers!

“FRONKENSTEEN! FRONKENSTEEN!”

In what has to be a providential “accident,” our Halloween episode is the perfect kaiju film for the spookiest time of the year: Frankenstein Conquers the World. Nathan is joined by Travis Alexander, co-host of Kaiju Weekly and the biggest Baragon fan we know (#Justice4Baragon), to discuss this wild if uneven Toho classic directed by Ishiro Honda. We discuss the film’s relation to the hibakusha, the discriminated survivors of the atomic bombings, because Frankenstein’s plight in the film mirrors their real-life struggles. Also, Travis gets to meet Godzilla’s bumbling nephew, Godzooky (he’s practically Travis’s spirit animal), who helps Jimmy From NASA in the producer booth because he’s still reeling from his beatdown at the hands of Daimajin.

Episode image created by Michael Hamilton.

We’d like to give a shout-out to our Patreon patrons Travis Alexander (of course) and Michael Hamilton (co-hosts of Kaiju Weekly); Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Eli Harris (elizilla13); Chris Cooke (host of One Cross Radio), and Bex from Redeemed Otaku! Thanks for your support!

You, too, can support us on Patreon and get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month!

This episode is approved by the Monster Island Board of Directors.

Read Jimmy’s Notes on this episode.

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