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Tag: The Monster Island Film Vault

Episode 105: ‘Gorgo’ vs. Bex vs. Encyclo | The Monster Island World Tour

Published August 13, 2025

Hello, Kaiju Lovers! In this, the penultimate episode of the “Monster Island World Tour,” Nate is joined by MIFV staple (and Jessica’s “bestie”), Becky “Bex” Smith, but this time, she brings her “husbando,” Encyclo, along! They discuss arguably the best (or at least most iconic) British kaiju film, Gorgo, the last of the 1961 European kaiju movies. Why? To pay off a joke that goes all the way back to episode 18! This is the third Eugene Lourie monster film Nate has discussed on the show, so he may have to bent the podcast’s purview to include the fourth and final one. Bex is full of hot takes about the monster suit and special effects, while Nate argues this has the first ever “Kenny” in a kaiju film. That’s just a taste of what they discuss! Since this film takes place partly in Ireland and there are tensions between Ireland and England, the Toku Topic is Anglo-Irish relations.

“Jimmy’s Notes” on this episode COMING SOON!

Check out Nathan’s spinoff podcasts, The Henshin Men and The Power Trip, and Henshin Power V3!

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, Wynja the Ninja, Christopher Riner, The Indiscrite One, Eli Harris, Jake Hambrick, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, Leon Campbell, Michael Watson, Sam Allred, and Devin Torrence! 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: 0:00-27:06
  • Entertaining Info Dump: 27:06-36:22
  • Toku Talk (main discussion): 36:22-2:33:20
  • Podcast Ad – Henshin Power V3: 2:33:20-2:35:30
  • Toku Topic – A Brief History of Anglo-Irish Relations: 2:35:30-3:12:12
  • Outro (housekeeping, etc.): 3:12:12-3:28:32
  • Credits: 3:28:32-end

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault    #Gorgo            #MonsterIslandWorldTour     #kaiju  #Britain           #England            #UnitedKingdom

© 2025 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

  • Barr, Jason. The Kaiju Film: A Critical Study of Cinema’s Biggest Monsters. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. 2016.
  • Bogue, Mike. Apocalypse Then: American and Japanese Atomic Cinema, 1951-1967. McFarland & Company, Inc., 2017.
  • Derendorf, Kevin. Kaiju for Hipsters: 101 “Alternative” Giant Monster Movies. Maser Press, 2018.
  • Gorgo blu-ray special features (VCI Video):
    • “Before and After Restoration”
  • Gorgo blu-ray/4K special features (Vinegar Syndrome):
    • “9th Wonder of the World, The.”
    • Commentary by Stephen R. Bissette.
    • “Gorgo Lives.”
    • “Gorgo: Behind-the-Scenes.”
  • “Gorgo.” IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054938/.
  • “Gorgo (film).” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorgo_(film).
  • “Gorgo (1961).” Wikizilla. https://wikizilla.org/wiki/Gorgo_(film).
  • “Gorgo, Queen of Sparta.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorgo,_Queen_of_Sparta.
  • Schoell, William. Creature Features: Nature Turned Nasty in the Movies. McFarlane & Company, Inc., 2008.
  • Warren, Bill. Keep Watching the Skies! (Vol. 1). McFarlane & Company, Inc., 2010.

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MIFV x Kaiju Kim x Donny Winter x Autistic Lizard Productions: The Epic G-Fest XXX Megastream!

Published July 23, 2025

And there came a day unlike any other. When your favorite kaiju podcasters and YouTubers found themselves united to discuss G-Fest XXX. On that day became…uh, what’s their team name? Join us for a MASSIVE livestream event that’s going out to multiple YouTube channels! Also features appearances by kaiju authors Neil Riebe and Danile DiManna (Godzilla Novelization Project).

Watch the live video version on the MIFV YouTube channel!

Check out Nathan’s spinoff podcasts, The Henshin Men and The Power Trip, and Henshin Power V3!

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, Wynja the Ninja, Christopher Riner, The Indiscrite One, Eli Harris, Jake Hambrick, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, Leon Campbell, Michael Watson, Sam Allred, and Devin Torrence! 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    #GFestXXX     #GFest30            #GFest

© 2025 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

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MIFV MAX #40 (Abridged): ‘Reptisaurus’ (2009) | Ft. Damon Noyes

Published July 16, 2025

Hello, Kaiju Lovers! If you’re joining us just after G-Fest, welcome! In this abridged episode of our Patreon-exclusive podcast, you’ll hear Nathan and executive producer/MIFV MAX “prime” member Damon Noyes discuss (or rather, riff) a “pseudo-remake” (and by that, we mean “second cousin twice removed”) of Reptilicus with the 2009 SyFy movie Reptisaurus. It claims to be based on the Charlton comic, which was a Reptilicus comic for two issues, but the $15 CGI creature looks nothing like it. And there’s no alien named Bob. What about Bob?! Instead, we get a cadre of 35-year-old college students, two bumbling soldiers, and Buck Rogers in his living room, er, office. It may look like an Asylum movie and quack like an Asylum movie, but it isn’t an Asylum movie, no matter what Grok may tell you. (Yes, Nathan experimented with X’s AI assistant to research this and had to fact-check the robot). Strap in, Kaiju Lovers!

Join MIFV MAX on Patreon to hear the uncut version and read Nathan’s research notes:

Check out Nathan’s spinoff podcasts, The Henshin Men and The Power Trip, and Henshin Power V3!

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, Wynja the Ninja, Christopher Riner, The Indiscrite One, Eli Harris, Jake Hambrick, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, Leon Campbell, Michael Watson, and Sam Allred! 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    #Reptilicus       #SyFy

© 2025 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

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MIFV Interview Series: Linda Jo Miller | King Kong Escapes | The Green Slime

Published July 2, 2025

Nathan sits down to talk with former model/actress (and now everyone’s favorite grandma) Linda Jo Miller, who famously starred alongside Akira Takarada and Rhodes Reason in King Kong Escapes (1967). Nathan asks her what it was growing up as a military brat in Japan and what life was like after she was in King Kong Escapes.

Watch the original version here: https://youtube.com/live/XVFWdVDJMNo.

Check out Nathan’s spinoff podcasts, The Henshin Men and The Power Trip, and Henshin Power V3!

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, Wynja the Ninja, Christopher Riner, The Indiscrite One, Eli Harris, Jake Hambrick, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, Leon Campbell, Michael Watson, and Sam Allred! 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    #KingKong

© 2025 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

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Monster Conversation: Harryhausen Annual #4 – ‘The Valley of Gwangi’ | MIFV x Kaiju Conversation

Published June 29, 2025

Hello, Kaiju Lovers! And Happy Birthday, Ray! Nate and Elijah once again celebrate their birthdays by celebrating Ray Harryhausen’s birthday with another deep dive into the stopmotion master’s filmography: The Valley of Gwangi. This 1969 dinosaur epic combined the monster movie and western at a time when both genres were past their primes. It failed at the box office, but it has since become a cult classic, and it’s no wonder why. Cowboys wrangling dinosaurs, baby! While it aped (pun intended) King Kong (1933), it was Ray’s loving tribute to his mentor, Willis O’Brien, who wanted to make this film two decades earlier. It has some of Ray’s best work but also some underdeveloped characters. Where does it rank in Nate’s and Elijah’s lists of Harryhausen films? Listen to find out!

Additional Music:

  • “Legends of Warcraft” by PSK
  • “The Dark Ages” by Phil Rey

Check out Nathan’s spinoff podcasts, The Henshin Men and The Power Trip, and Henshin Power V3!

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, Wynja the Ninja, Christopher Riner, The Indiscrite One, Eli Harris, Jake Hambrick, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, Leon Campbell, Michael Watson, and Sam Allred! 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: 0:00-5:46
  • Production History: 5:46-58:19
  • Toku Talk (Synopsis and Main Discussion): 58:19-2:50:55
  • Outro (housekeeping, etc.): 2:50:55-3:00:00
  • Credits: 3:00:00-end

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault    #kaiju   #daikaiju            #giantmonsters           #RayHarryhausen       #KaijuConversation            #valleyofgwangi

© 2025 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Nathan’s Bibliography/Further Reading:

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Bonus Episode #20: ‘The Giant Behemoth’ | The Monster Island World Tour

Published June 13, 2025

Hello, Kaiju Lovers! In this solo bonus episode, which also features the return of the intrepid Jimmy From NASA to the producer booth, Nate discusses one of the lesser British kaiju movies, The Giant Behemoth (1959). This biblically-titled flick, which was directed by Eugene Lourie (The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, Gorgo), while pretty average, was the last film to feature special effects by the legendary Willis O’Brien of King Kong (1933) fame. However, some studio interference changed the story from one about extraterrestrial goo to a more “traditional” monster movie. Behemoth also had a screenplay by a blacklisted writer. Yeah, none of these were on Nate’s bingo card, either! Then Nate answers some long-overdue listener feedback.

Check out Nathan’s spinoff podcasts, The Henshin Men and The Power Trip, and Henshin Power V3!

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, Wynja the Ninja, Christopher Riner, The Indiscrite One, Eli Harris, Jake Hambrick, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, Leon Campbell, Michael Watson, and Sam Allred! 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: 0:00-1:28
  • Main Discussion: 1:28-26:09
  • Outro (housekeeping, etc.): 26:09-37:43
  • Credits: 37:43-end

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault    #kaiju   #daikaiju            #giantmonsters           #MonsterIslandWorldTour     #Britain           #England

© 2025 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

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Episode 104 Epilogue: “Apologies”

Published June 5, 2025

In this journal entry, Nate is lost in his dark thoughts as he checks his e-mail and finds yet another message from Jimmy asking where he is. Nate throws it into the growing pile in his inbox—and suddenly Jimmy bursts through the door to confront him.

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, Wynja the Ninja, Christopher Riner, Eli Harris, Jake Hambrick, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, Leon Campbell, Michael Watson, and Sam Allred! 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    

© 2024, 2025 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

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Episode 104: ‘Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla’ (1974) | Ft. Robert Kelly of Record All Monsters | Godzilla Redux

Published June 4, 2025

Hello, Kaiju Lovers! This episode marks the final “Godzilla Redux” of season four, and it’s a low-key banger! Robert Kelly, who managed to escape capture by the British police after episode 103, returns to discuss his first G-film, Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974), and share what Nate says is the most unique take he’s ever heard on this film. Namely, Robert says Godzilla is his friend, because Godzilla’s monstrousness is a virtue in the vein of G.K. Chesterton. No kidding! But it isn’t the only take they discuss—and some are hotter than Big G’s nuclear breath! They get into the so-called “alien apes as Americans allegory,” the history and culture of Okinawa as it relates to this film (which is to that island what Lord of the Rings is to New Zealand), and more! King Caesar’s ghost!

“Jimmy’s Notes” on this episode COMING SOON!

Additional Music:

Buy Robert’s book, Record All Monsters: The Book of the Essays from the Podcast (https://a.co/d/gFq6W2U).

Listen to the Record All Monsters’s episode on Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974): https://www.spreaker.com/episode/s2e20-godzilla-vs-mechagodzilla-with-my-mom-wooo-and-aubrey–51852549.

Check out Nathan’s spinoff podcasts, The Henshin Men and The Power Trip, and Henshin Power V3!

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, Wynja the Ninja, Christopher Riner, The Indiscrite One, Eli Harris, Jake Hambrick, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, Leon Campbell, Michael Watson, and Sam Allred! 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: 0:00-8:14
  • Main Discussion: 8:14-2:28:22
  • Outro (housekeeping, etc.): 2:28:22-2:47:14
  • Credits: 2:47:14-end

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault    #Godzilla            #Mechagodzilla #kaiju           #Okinawa        #GodzillavsMechagodzilla            #Toho  #GodzillaRedux

© 2024, 2025 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

  • Barr, Jason. The Kaiju Film: A Critical Study of Cinema’s Biggest Monsters. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. 2016.
  • Galbraith IV, Stuart. Japanese Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films: A Critical Analysis and Filmography of 103 Features Released in the United States, 1950-1992. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. 1994.
  • “Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla.” IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071565/.
  • “Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla.” Toho Kingdom. https://www.tohokingdom.com/movies/godzilla_vs_mechagodzilla.htm.
  • “Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godzilla_vs._Mechagodzilla.
  • ”Godzilla vs. Mechacgodzilla (1974).” Wikizilla. https://wikizilla.org/wiki/Godzilla_vs._Mechagodzilla.
  • Kaijuvision Radio, Episode 19: Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974) (The Reversion of Okinawa: History and Culture) (https://youtu.be/LODiyjrAb68?si=tG7N_cB0Xdu5ZEVo).
  • Kalat, David. A Critical History and Filmography of Toho’s Godzilla Series (2nd edition). McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. 2017.
  • Lees, J.D. and Marc Cerasini. The Official Godzilla Compendium. Random House. 1998.
  • LeMay, John. The Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies, Volume 1: 1954-1982 (2nd edition).
  • LeMay, John with Ted Johnson. The Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies: The Lost Films – Mutated Edition.
  • LeMay, John. Writing Japanese Monsters.
  • Skipper, Graham. Godzilla: The Official Guide to the King of the Monsters. Welbeck Publishing Group. 2022.

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Episode 103 Epilogue: “In the Nose of Madness”

Published May 26, 2025

Nate follows his suddenly oppressed nose to Uber-Moguera’s back room and discovers he has a stowaway–Dr. Dante Dourif! The mad scientist needed a place to stay while he was at a “xeno-botany” conference in London. But before Nate can chew him out too much, Konga, who’s kaiju-sized again, is taking his inferiority complex out on Big Ben (unlike in 1961), but even Jet Jaguar’s heroics can’t halt the big ape’s raging rampage. Then Dr. Dourif says he has an idea on how to stop Konga….

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, Wynja the Ninja, Christopher Riner, Eli Harris, Jake Hambrick, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, Leon Campbell, Michael Watson, and Sam Allred! 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    #Konga

© 2025 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

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