Godzilla Month Begins Where It All Started- “Godzilla, King of the Monsters” Tonight!

After so many requests- and a lot of work by our management to procure them- we finally have a full MONTH of Godzilla films ready to launch- and we begin with the movie that introduced us to the atomic-fire-breathing  behemoth- the original Americanized version of "Godzilla- King of the Monsters"!

This 1956 film begins with reporter Steve Martin (well- ExCUUUSE me!- no, not THAT Steve Martin) -portrayed by the future Perry Mason, Raymond Burr- being brought to the hospital, in bad shape, with other victims of some terrible devastation. We flashback to him first touching down in Japan, at first to visit an old scientist colleague,and learning of some very strange unexplained naval disasters. When a survivor washes ashore at a small distant island, Martin travels there with  military investigators- and find that the natives of the island believe that the disasters were caused by an huge angry sea monster that they have made sacrifices to for years!

Further investigations find traces of radioactivity- and- giant footprints! Soon-the cause is found- as Godzilla appears! Dr. Yemane, one of the experts who has been a part of the investigation, returns to Tokyo, and explains his theory that the gigantic creature has been awakened from a lengthy hibernation by atomic testing. Martin tries to check in with his scientist friend, Serizawa, to see what he thinks- but his friend is too busy. We find out that Dr. Yemane's daughter is scheduled to marry Serizawa- but her heart now belongs to another. We also find out that Serizawa is hiding a horrible discovery from  the world!

Suddenly- Godzilla  appears in Tokyo Bay and heads onshore to cause cataclysmic destruction in the city! A defensive system is planned- but Godzilla  seems unstoppable, and Martin is hurt during his rampage- bringing us back to the action when the movie started. There seems to be only one way to end Godzilla's attacks- and it involves that secret discovery of Serizawa's- but- will it be approved for use before it is too late?

This is the first exposure most of us had to the legendary Godzilla- and, in retrospect, you'll notice that it has a much more serious tone than most of the later Godzilla films we all watched on television. We'll explain a lot about the movie's history (and PLEASE- blog commenters- refrain from showing your vast knowledge until after the program airs- you can then fill in more details to what we have time to present.) Yes, there's a song- and -watch for a very special comedy segment with the hilarious Jamie Farr- best known as Max Klinger from"MASH"!

"Godzilla- King of the Monsters" surfaces on MeTV tonight at 10 pm eastern/pacific, 9 central, and, if you need help to find what station and what time we're on where you live, please consult your local listings and/or www.metv.com ! In Chicago,  viewers will see (or won't see) for a second time- "The Invisible Man Returns" on our sister station, WCIU, the U!

Just an FYI- I'll be talking with my good friend Nick Digilio about our month of Godzilla flicks next Tuesday night/Weds. morning on his late night WGN radio show- sometime after 2 am- on 720 AM, which is heard all over the country. Check out our "appearances " tab on our site for an additional appearance that will becoming up  with another of our good friends - as a salute to the great Jack Benny!

Join us tonight to kick off (not really a Superbowl analogy) a full month of the King  of Monsters- Godzilla!