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Godzilla hit America
in 1956...like several hundread tons of brick!
This, in itself was
a landmark...As ''Godzilla: King of the Monsters" was pretty much, the
first full length movie imported from Japan. ( Of course, we saw
all new scenes with Raymond Burr skillfully spliced into the original
) Here in the U.S, the movie had been intended to be another
Drive-in "B" film that no one would pay too much attention
too. Unexpectedly, it would spark off a craze that is still strong
to this day, almost 50 years later!
Interestingly, "Godzilla" wasn't
a new idea...But rather a response to another film called
" The Beast From Twenty Thousand Fathoms" In this story, A monsterous reptile
is awoken by Atomic testing and comes ashore in....New York. (
A concept gone full circle with Godzilla '98 ) Anyway, the
creature destroys Coney Island before dying from radiation nutralizeing
isotobes. In Japan, Movie producers thought about filming another story
such as the "Beast", and create a powerful anti-nuclear statement. (
This idea came from an event involving the Bakini tests.
A Japanese fishing boat had strayed into the test area, and
it's crew was exposed to severe amounts of radiation, when the
bomb was exploded... Strange but unfortunatly, very true.)
The film was shot
under the direction of Ishiro Honda. The effects were handeled
by Eiji Tsuburaya, using an actor in a rubber suit for the
monster. With the film in Black and white, and most of the monster
scenes shot 'at night', The creature was very convincing. Tradmark
was not only the monster's design, but also it's voice. The
unique roar is actually produced by rubbing a rubber coverd leather
glove over a contrabass, then mixxed in a sound studio... This had
been the brainchild of Akira Ifukube, who was also responsable
for most of Godzilla's scores.
After the first film was well received,
others were made, and imported, going through it's hayday in the
'60's with one of the most popular films in the series..."Godzilla
vs. King Kong. " East meets west in spectacular fashion. But, by
the '70's, Godzilla became campy, designed to target the kids. The
beast was now the good guy...and the films were shot fast.
Then, things went quiet
for abit...Until 1984/85. Godzilla was back! Meaner, larger and more
destructive then ever. The late 80's/ 90's Godzilla was a monster to
be delt with! A massive, natural disaster to be treated as such!
Now, there's G-2000...and beyond.
A new looking beast with reddened , pointed spines, a hudge crocadillian
head and lots of fight. Oh yes, Godzilla has made a notch in
the popular culture. ( outlasting the cold war from which, he was created.
)
Lastly, Godzilla is one of
the two most popular, long running movie series of all time.
( The other has to do with a secret agent, assigned a number... 007
)
Above, an early
drawing of the story's basic elements.
It was
rendered with standard Windows Paint '98... And featured a 'Heinsei' Godzilla. ( This was before I decided
to go in an original direction.)
Ok,
I know what you're thinking... Why are you going to do, yet another
Godzilla fan site? Aren't there enough on the web? Well, yes...
There are plenty of Godzilla sites on the internet. Most are posted
by avid fans. That said, I'm one of those long time fans. (
I learned about the giant reptile around age seven... Long before
I was even aware of the Yamato / Argo.) Basically, I've been a
Godzilla fan... Long before it was 'Cool' to be a Godzilla
fan! In 1991, I even built a full sized 'Heinsei' styled Godzilla
suit for Halloween... It came in at 45 odd pounds!
This site
will be built around an original story... Written by myself. As
an artist, It started with drawings... Back in 1989! So, the story's
been tossed, beaten, blended and stired for many, many years. The idea
sprang from a failed attempt at bringing Godzilla to Hawaii. This
idea never got that far... It was the original intent for 'Gigantis,
the fire monster'.
So,
I have a well revised story... And, as with the E.D.F. Drawingboard,
there will be alot of original artwork to keep it company.
That said, This site will offer a new flavor to 'Godzilla',
much as the 'Drawingboard' brought a new feel to 'Yamato / Starblazers'. Yes,
my reptile will be original... But, it won't
be an oversized Iguana.
'Godzilla: Terror
in the Pacific' will deliver this new monster to Honolulu,
among other island landmarks... And there will be plenty of action.
But,
a warning to all who expect the usual 'slam-bang from beginning
to end' format... This new story offers plenty of character development,
and heart as well. I personally feel that the best films,
start by sucking you up in the characters... and the dilemma's
they end up in. Along with the character's story, there will
be plenty of science fiction theory to explain it all.
The only other point
to be made, would be that this story is meant to spin
off from the original 1954 Godzilla. ( As was the original Gigantis
idea.)
As for a
rating on the story.... Well I'd say, P.G. - 13. As there is
violence, and alot of explanitives. ( Questionable language.:)
Still here??
Good. Then sit back in front of your computer, put on
some music, grab the refreshment of your choice...and take a ride
with Max Harrison... ( Think, Jeff Goldblum.) As he's plunged into an
event he does not understand, nor believe. Submitted for your
aproval, Godzilla: Terror in the Pacific.
Bian
D. Rivers
E.D.F Drawingboard / Godzilla:
Terror in the Pacific
Sorry about the lousy
shots, but these are the only pictures I have of the Godzilla
costume... A left, a picture of it under construction. And above,, One
of my friends, displys the costume's head for the camera. ( These
shots are from 1990...Old. )
The Absolute
Disclamer!
O.K... I've not seen
anything beyond Godzilla 2000, so if anything remotely looks to
be the same, I clame ignorence!! ( This is point number one.)
If this story I wrote, happens to cross into other original
stories and ideas... I'm Sorry! I haven't read very many
original ideas, or seen many of the new series of comics, books,
ect... It would be by pure coincidence! And, isn't intended. Thats
the BIG DISCLAMER! Also, of course....
Godzilla is
Trademarked and Copywritten by TOHO Industries. Japan. This site is
intended to pay tribute, thereof. So please, if you're looking
at this site from Japan, I mean no offence, or mallace... Only
a bit of Fan contribution!
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