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Episode 86: ‘The Whale God’ vs. Daniel DiManna vs. Elijah Thomas

Hello, Kaiju Lovers! In yet another impromptu episode (because reasons), Nate is joined by Daniel DiManna (Godzilla Novelization Project) and Elijah Thomas (Kaiju Conversation) to discuss the semi-obscure Daiei proto-kaiju film, The Whale God. Released in 1962, it was largely unseen outside of Japan until it was released by SRS Cinema this past January. The boys unpack the tremendous talent behind and in front of the camera–including Takashi Shimura, Kojiro Hongo, and Akira Ifukube, among others–its connections to Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, and how it uses elements of J-horror to create a potent period drama. The Toku Topic, thanks to Danny’s in-depth research, is Japanese whaling. Then stay tuned after the credits to hear Elijah try to touch the Whale God!

Buy The Whale God on blu-ray and VHS from SRS Cinema! (https://srscinemastore.com/)

Read “Jimmy’s Notes” on this episode here: https://monsterislandfilmvault.com/index.php/2024/03/14/jimmys-notes-on-episode-86-the-whale-god-vs-daniel-dimanna-vs-elijah-thomas/.

Post-credit scene suggested by Elijah Thomas.

Additional Music:

  • “For Her Soul” by RoeTaKa
  • “Kuwanga Banga” by PirateCrab
  • “Here We Go” by Chris Classic

Additional sound effects sourced from www.Zapsplat.com.

Check out Nathan’s spinoff podcasts, The Henshin Men and The Power Trip.

We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, Eric Anderson of Nerd Chapel, Ted Williams, Wynja the Ninja, Brad “Batman” Eddleman, Christopher Riner, The Indiscrite One, Eli Harris, Jake Hambrick, Edwin Gonzalez, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, Robert Kidd, and Leon Campbell! Thanks for your support!

You, too, can join MIFV MAX on Patreon to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month! (https://www.patreon.com/monsterislandfilmvault)

Buy official MIFV merch on TeePublic! (https://www.teepublic.com/user/the-monster-island-gift-shop). NEW MERCH NOW AVAILABLE!

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

Timestamps:

  • Introduction: 0:00-24:20
  • Entertaining Info Dump: 24:20-32:21
  • Toku Talk: 32:21-1:51:42
  • Ad (Toku Toy Town): 1:51:42-1:53:04
  • Toku Topic (Japanese whaling): 1:53:04-2:21:31
  • Outro: 2:21:31-2:43:48
  • Credits/Post-Credit Scene: 2:43:48-end

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault     #TheWhaleGod            #SRSCinema

© 2023, 2024 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

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Jimmy’s Notes on Episode 85 – Godzilla: The Series | ‘Monster Wars’ | Ft. The Cel Cast | Godzilla Redux

In case anyone is wondering: Kaguya and I are fine. I know there are rumors going around that we broke up or were on the rocks. We’ve talked things over. It took a while to help her understand some things about how human “cultural frameworks,” as she calls them, work, but she seems to get it now…sorta. Am I still in the doghouse? Yeah. I’m giving her a bit of space. But I have to say, to paraphrase Jack Driscoll, “I think I…” Ahem! Anyway, let’s get into my notes on Episode 85 (Godzilla: The Series – “Monster Wars”), which featured the return of the “cartoon guys,” Drew Dodgen and Jacob Heron, from The Cel Cast.

  • The air conditioning will get fixed…eventually. This walking cobbled-together junk pile has far more pressing issues to fix…like the CD player.
  • As cute as D33-D117 (Deedlit?) is for an AI…Kaguya would kill me! She almost did after we recaptured Utam Goliathon!
  • MIFV’s previous Godzilla: The Series coverage was Episode 45 (“New Family” and “Deadloch”) and Bonus Episode 11 (“The Cameron Winter Trilogy”).
  • I think Drew was referring to Winter’s episodes of the show being before “Monster Wars.” He’s correct…about one. Winter’s first episode was episode five while “Monster Wars” was episodes 15-17.
  • The Martians didn’t know Earth’s bacteria was fatal to them…or was it a bio-weapon? That’s what Alan Moore would want you to believe. I know how much you love that, Nate. 😛
  • These aliens never win beauty pageants and hate being compared to the Harkonnens. Trust me, I’ve run into a few of them.
  • I asked the scientists if Zilla Jr. purrs. They looked at me like I was a weirdo. I am, but still, that was rude.
  • Wingnut?! #DeepCut
  • “Draczilla” That’s a terrifying concept. I’ll tell the Board to ban anyone from Transylvania from visiting the Island.
  • I fought Frussians once. I don’t want to talk about it.
  • Lies! You’ve kink-shamed me!
  • “Play it again, Sam,” is a misquoted line, as Nate explained. While it’s associated with Humphrey Bogart, something like it, “Play it, Sam,” was actually said by Ingrid Bergman.
  • Inspirational temporal displacement? That’s an oxymoron if I ever heard one. And yet another reason I hate time travel.
  • Paris has been attacked by kaiju, but only in Godzilla stories. Specifically, Destroy All Monsters, this three-parter, Godzilla: Final Wars, Godzilla Unleashed: Final Smash, and Godzilla: Rulers of Earth. (Fun fact: there’s a Kaiju No. 8 mural in Paris).
  • Admittedly, I didn’t have much time to search for kaiju attacks on Washington, D.C. (and my internet searches kept bringing up very different sorts of attacks), but much to Nate’s chagrin, the one I did find is an Asylum movie:
  • I might have something to do with the shield D33-D117 found around D.C.…I don’t want to talk about it.
  • You’d be surprised how many trailer park aliens there are in the galaxy. Poverty is universal.
  • We don’t talk about mushrooms on MIFV. For very good reasons.
  • Popcorn ball, Nate, not cornball.
  • Occam’s razor > technobabble. So, I’m with Monique in this case.
  • It’s always too soon for Firefly.
  • I think I met Queen Bleep once. I don’t want to talk about it.
  • “Nilla”? As funny as that is, Dr. Tatopoulos won’t approve that name.
  • The years for crab movies are correct, Nate.
  • It’s not often I’m left speechless about crabs. (Although, I’m thinking of a different type of crabs…).

Join MIFV MAX on Patreon to read Nate’s full research notes!

We’re going to be busy in March at MIFV. We have another impromptu episode (hopefully), which will go over the just-released The Whale God, a semi-obscure Daiei film, with Daniel DiManna and Elijah Thomas. Then we get back to the World Tour with our first South Korean film, Yongary, Monster from the Deep (1967) with special guest Neil Riebe. We punctuate the month with season four’s first Patreon-sponsored episode courtesy of executive producer Damon Noyes, which will be our first double feature: Attack of the Crab Monsters and Island Claws. From our first Roger Corman flick to an almost-unknown pseudo-remake.

Until next time, remember…we shall overcome!

Social media:

#JimmyFromNASALives      #WeShallOvercome                #MonsterIslandFilmVault

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Episode 85 – Godzilla: The Series – ‘Monster Wars’ | Ft. The Cel Cast | Godzilla Redux

Hello, Kaiju Lovers! You might be wondering, “Aren’t you supposed to cover Destroy All Monsters for Godzilla Redux, Nate?” Yes…but I’m not. For reasons. Anyway, we have the next-best thing: the three-part epic from Godzilla: The Series—“Monster Wars”! And who else could be the guests for animated kaiju shenanigans other than Drew and Jacob from The Cel Cast. They and Nate go through each episode beat-for-beat and analyze everything from the writing to the voice acting to the animation. You’ll also hear some great factoids Nate researched about these, the three best episodes of the show. Not to mention he delves into the unmade sequel to Godzilla (1998) that sounds eerily similar to this show!

Check out this episode’s epilogue, “Jake and Drew, Where are You?”

Read “Jimmy’s Notes” on this episode: https://monsterislandfilmvault.com/index.php/2024/02/29/jimmys-notes-on-episode-85-godzilla-the-series-monster-wars-ft-the-cel-cast-godzilla-redux/.

Additional music:

Sound effects sourced from Freesound.org.

Check out Nathan’s spinoff podcasts, The Henshin Men and The Power Trip.

We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, Eric Anderson of Nerd Chapel, Ted Williams, Wynja the Ninja, Brad “Batman” Eddleman, Christopher Riner, The Indiscrite One, Eli Harris, Jake Hambrick, Edwin Gonzalez, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, Robert Kidd, and Leon Campbell! Thanks for your support!

You, too, can join MIFV MAX on Patreon to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month! (https://www.patreon.com/monsterislandfilmvault)

Buy official MIFV merch on TeePublic! (https://www.teepublic.com/user/the-monster-island-gift-shop). NEW MERCH NOW AVAILABLE!

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

Timestamps:

  • Introduction: 0:00-11:52
  • Main Discussion: 11:52-1:39:34
  • Outro: 1:39:34-1:51:52
  • Credits: 1:51:52-end

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault     #Godzilla            #GodzillaTheSeries    #GodzillaRedux

© 2023, 2024 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

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Episode 84 Epilogue: “Davida and Goliathon”

Nate and Jimmy set their sights on wrangling Utam Goliathon (aka “Ah-Wang”) from the top of Jardine House—only to be interrupted by a confused Kaguya wearing a risqué cosplay bought by Jimmy! This gives Nate the idea to have her talk Goliathon into climbing down the building. But she’s not happy about any of this!

Featuring the final performance of Kim Lacanilao as Kaguya.

Check out Nathan’s spinoff podcasts, The Henshin Men and The Power Trip.

We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, Eric Anderson of Nerd Chapel, Ted Williams, Wynja the Ninja, Brad “Batman” Eddleman, Christopher Riner, The Indiscrite One, Eli Harris, Jake Hambrick, Edwin Gonzalez, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, Robert Kidd, and Leon Campbell! Thanks for your support!

You, too, can join MIFV MAX on Patreon to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month! (https://www.patreon.com/monsterislandfilmvault)

Buy official MIFV merch on TeePublic! (https://www.teepublic.com/user/the-monster-island-gift-shop). NEW MERCH NOW AVAILABLE!

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

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault    

© 2023, 2024 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

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Episode 84: John LeMay vs. ‘Mighty Peking Man’

Hello, Kaiju Lovers! The most cited man on MIFV, John LeMay, returns for his all-but-mandatory-at-least-once-a-season appearance to discuss the second Shaw Bros. film we’ve covered this season: Mighty Peking Man. This infamous cult classic was a favorite of director Quinton Tarantino, and it’s easy to see why: it’s sleazy yet weirdly artsy. It feels like an exploitation film at points—especially with the gorgeous Evalyn Kraft running around in nothing but a goatskin bikini—but the special effects are remarkably well-executed thanks to Keizo Murase. Since it’s John’s favorite “Kongsploitation” movie, that is the first of two Toku Topics this episode, with the other being the Peking Man fossil, which partly inspired this flick.

Check out this episode’s epilogue, “Davida and Goliathon”!

Read “Jimmy’s Notes” on this episode here: https://monsterislandfilmvault.com/?p=2166

Check out Nathan’s spinoff podcasts, The Henshin Men and The Power Trip.

We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, Eric Anderson of Nerd Chapel, Ted Williams, Wynja the Ninja, Brad “Batman” Eddleman, Christopher Riner, The Indiscrite One, Eli Harris, Jake Hambrick, Edwin Gonzalez, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, Robert Kidd, and Leon Campbell! Thanks for your support!

You, too, can join MIFV MAX on Patreon to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month! (https://www.patreon.com/monsterislandfilmvault)

Buy official MIFV merch on TeePublic! (https://www.teepublic.com/user/the-monster-island-gift-shop). NEW MERCH NOW AVAILABLE!

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

Timestamps:

  • Introduction: 0:00-8:08
  • Entertaining Info Dump: 8:08-15:49
  • Toku Talk: 15:49-1:15:58
  • Podcast Ad (Bots, Bugs, and Babes): 1:15:58-1:17:03
  • Toku Topic (“Kongsploitation” and the Peking Man fossil): 1:17:03-1:50:06
  • Outro: 1:50:06-1:57:57
  • Credits: 1:57:57-end

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault     #MightyPekingMan            #monsterislandworldtour

© 2023, 2024 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

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BONUS – MIFV MAX #27: ‘Godzilla Minus One/Minus Color’ | Ft. Damon Noyes, Daniel DiManna, Christopher Riner, and Elijah Thomas (Abridged)

Hello, Kaiju Lovers! In this excerpt from the latest episode of the (usually) Patreon-exclusive livestream podcast, Nathan invites his creative team (plus Elijah Thomas, who crashes the show later) on to discuss the new black-and-white edition of Godzilla Minus One. Is it a different enough experience from the original—or is it even better? These questions are answered in yet another Minus One-fueled blockbuster episode of MIFV!

Check out Nathan’s spinoff podcasts, The Henshin Men and The Power Trip.

We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, Eric Anderson of Nerd Chapel, Ted Williams, Wynja the Ninja, Brad “Batman” Eddleman, Christopher Riner, The Indiscrite One, Eli Harris, Jake Hambrick, Edwin Gonzalez, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, and Robert Kidd! Thanks for your support!

You, too, can join MIFV MAX on Patreon to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month! (https://www.patreon.com/monsterislandfilmvault)

Buy official MIFV merch on TeePublic! (https://www.teepublic.com/user/the-monster-island-gift-shop). NEW MERCH NOW AVAILABLE!

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

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault     #Godzilla            #GodzillaMinusOne   #GodzillaMinusColor

© 2024 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

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5th Wednesday Bonus Episode #15: ‘The Abominable Snowman’ (1957) | Ft. Matt Walsh | Patreon

Hello, Kaiju Lovers! You know him and you probably hate him—our guest today is none other than Matt Walsh! Okay, it’s not that Matt Walsh. This one shaves and isn’t a millennial curmudgeon. Anyway, because this Matt Walsh is a madman, he jumped on the joke tier on Patreon, “Jimmy’s Intern,” to discuss 1957’s The Abominable Snowman, making this MIFV’s first Hammer film…and its third yeti film. (Nate only had a mild case of PTSD). Nate was pleasantly surprised to see that this film, which stars Grand Moff Tarkin himself, Peter Cushing, was far more philosophical and thoughtful than he expected. You’re in for a spirited bonus episode that fits right in with the Monster Island World Tour…even if Jimmy gets the day off.

Read “Jimmy’s Notes” on this episode on the MIFV website: https://monsterislandfilmvault.com/index.php/2024/02/13/jimmys-notes-on-bonus-episode-15-the-abominable-snowman-1957-ft-matt-walsh/

Sound effects sourced from Freesound.org.

Check out Nathan’s spinoff podcasts, The Henshin Men and The Power Trip.

We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, Eric Anderson of Nerd Chapel, Ted Williams, Wynja the Ninja, Brad “Batman” Eddleman, Christopher Riner, The Indiscrite One, Eli Harris, Jake Hambrick, Edwin Gonzalez, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, and Robert Kidd! Thanks for your support!

You, too, can join MIFV MAX on Patreon to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month! (https://www.patreon.com/monsterislandfilmvault)

Buy official MIFV merch on TeePublic! (https://www.teepublic.com/user/the-monster-island-gift-shop). NEW MERCH NOW AVAILABLE!

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

Timestamps:

  • Introduction: 0:00-17:27
  • Main Discussion: 17:27-1:48:58
  • Outro: 1:48:58-2:03:51
  • Credits: 2:03:51-end

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault     #monsterislandworldtour            HammerFilms

© 2024 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

  • Abominable Snowman, The. Blu-ray special features by Shout!Factory:
    • Commentary with Filmmaker/Film Historian Ted Newsom
    • Commentary with Director Val Guest and Screenwriter Nigel Kneale
    • In Search of the Yeti – An Interview with Author/Film Historian Jonathan Rigby
    • “Trailer from Hell” Featuring Commentary by Filmmaker Joe Dante
    • World of Hammer Episode “Peter Cushing”
  • “Abominable Snowman, The.” IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050095/.
  • Abominable Snowman, The (film).” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Abominable_Snowman_(film).
  • “Hammer Film Productions.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammer_Film_Productions.
  • Warren, Bill. Keep Watching the Skies!: American Science Fiction Movies of the Fifties, The 21st Century Edition. McFarland. 2016.
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Episode 83 Epilogue: “Kung Fools”

Nate decides to do some film curation in Hong Kong–with Hannibal Chau. Jimmy escorts him to the Bone Slums to meet the black market dealer and discovers a reel containing the 1999 cut of Reptilian. So, he does what any kaiju film curator would do: he steals it. But Chau won’t have any of that!

Check out Nathan’s spinoff podcasts, The Henshin Men and The Power Trip.

We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, Eric Anderson of Nerd Chapel, Ted Williams, Wynja the Ninja, Brad “Batman” Eddleman, Christopher Riner, The Indiscrite One, Eli Harris, Jake Hambrick, Edwin Gonzalez, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, and Robert Kidd! Thanks for your support!

You, too, can join MIFV MAX on Patreon to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month! (https://www.patreon.com/monsterislandfilmvault)

Buy official MIFV merch on TeePublic! (https://www.teepublic.com/user/the-monster-island-gift-shop). NEW MERCH NOW AVAILABLE!

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

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault     #MonsterIslandWorldTour

© 2023, 2024 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Comments closed

Jimmy’s Notes on Episode 83: ‘Son of Godzilla’ | Ft. Neil Riebe

Two episodes in, and I’m already annoyed with my new mic. I spent too much money to replace it, and unfortunately, the eBay seller I bought it from doesn’t do returns beyond 30 days. Plus, I purchased it just before I was wrongfully imprisoned. Oh well. Kaguya doesn’t think I sound as “sexy” on it (she’s still learning what that means). Given that we’re on the road in Hong Kong and I’m the only one with the technical knowledge and skills to maintain my “patchwork mecha,” as Nate calls it, I’m too busy to do anything about it.

But I do have time to share my notes on episode 83, the “Godzilla Redux” on Son of Godzilla with Neil Riebe.

  • I just can’t win with my mics (as I explained above).
  • I’ve avoided a colonoscopy for years. I keep telling doctors they won’t find anything up there. I doubt I brought anything back with me from Venus…I think.
  • “This Island Indiana”? Wasn’t that a mockbuster made by the Asylum about 65 years too late?
  • I love the A-Team! It was my favorite show back when I was moonlighting as a substitute Blue Bioman! I may have even modeled my gunplay after the show…which explains why my marksmanship was terrible.
  • King Kong Escapes was episode six.
  • Plural of Kamacuras is…Kamacuri, according to Dr. Hermann Gottlieb.
  • I’ll submit Neil’s theory about the glacier and Solgel and Skull Islands to the Monster Island scientists. He might get a Nobel Prize in Kaijuology.
  • I’ll also submit Nate’s “Rip Van Minya” theory to them. He probably won’t get a Nobel Prize…because Minya.
  • Nate is basic. Who knew?
  • “Momzilla”? “Dad bod”? I’m confused. But so are the people who think Godzilla is female.
  • And the Japanese think Americans made Godzilla fat…have you seen the suit in this?!
  • Jar Jar?! WHY DID YOU SAY THAT NAME?!
  • This is the episode of crazy fan theories! I should’ve offered one. Hmm…Oh! Minya is the Antichrist. (Well, that’s what some fans think…).
  • I’d have preferred Kumi Mizuno in this, obviously. I mean, have you seen my girlfriend? Hubba-hubba!
  • “Height” not “heighth,” Neil!
  • Psycho released in 1960, seven years before this, Nate! Do your research!
  • Come on, Marchand, have you seen Brooke Shields in The Blue Lagoon? (Just don’t tell Kaguya I said that).
  • Kazue Kiba gets second billing as a screenwriter in the credits.
  • Danny already made the Tofu Fury Jaeger joke last episode. I still like Neil’s idea that it should be ¾ the size and two-times the firepower, though. I’ll get on that once we return to the Island.

Check MIFV MAX on Patreon to read Nate’s leftover research notes!

Our next episode is actually an impromptu bonus episode sponsored by Matt Walsh (no, not that Matt Walsh). Since he’s a madman who jumped to the $100 joke Patreon tier called “Jimmy’s Intern,” I have the day off for that recording. Nate should be able to manage…maybe. Kaguya and I will go sightseeing in Hong Kong. Then we get back to the World Tour in episode 84 with Shaw Bros.’s infamous Kongsploitation movie, Mighty Peking Man (aka Goliathon). There’s a huge ape-man in it? I only remember a hot blonde. (Again, don’t tell Kaguya I said that). My former nemesis John LeMay joins us for that. Then we get back to “Godzilla Redux” in episode 85…but not with Destroy All Monsters (because reasons). No, it’s Godzilla: The Series – “Monster Wars” with The Cel Cast.

Until next time, remember…we shall overcome!

Social media:

#JimmyFromNASALives      #WeShallOvercome                #MonsterIslandFilmVault

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