We Met a Guy Named Joel

This photo represents the main reason we made the trek to Monster Bash. Joel Hodgson's "Mystery Science Theater 3000" has been a part of my life for over twenty years. It became "appointment viewing" for me and my Dad throughout my college years and a staple of seminary dorm life as well.

Somewhere along the line, I introduced MST3K to my son, and he has become a huge fan and a "riffer" unto himself. In fact, you could say that "riffing" has become a mode of existence for us, with verbatim MST quotes forming a code language that only we truly understand (much to my wife's occasional chagrin.) So the opportunity to meet the person who has influenced our lives to this extent was undeniably fun, yet it had an unspoken poignancy, at least for me.

Here's me, Andy, Tom Servo and Joel Hodgson. Keep circulating the tapes.

The Beauty of the Black Lagoon

On Friday, we had the opportunity to meet and obtain autographs from the many special guests of Monster Bash. At the top of our list was Julie Adams, who starred in "The Creature from the Black Lagoon," in addition to an number of high profile films and TV programs. She was wonderful to talk to, and she delighted Andy when she said, "How about if I just write, "Love, Julia"?" (Andy also had Ricou Browning sign the same poster/lobby card.) I purchased a copy of her book, "The Lucky Southern Star: Reflections From the Black Lagoon," which she told me she wrote out completely in her own hand. It's a lovely book, which is really no surprise.

Friday Fun at the Bash

We watched as these wax figures were added to the "McDougal's" set. 

We were front and center for Joel Hodgson's Q & A, and we learned that the Mad Scientist characters of MST3K were created only after the theme song was written! 

Signs of Monster Bash

Welcome to Monster Bash

This was our intro to Monster Bash: the Creature-mobile!

If you're a fan of Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein, you'll recognize the prop replica that greets Bash-goers at the entrance.

There's something special about watching A & C on 16mm film.

More to come!

We're Doing the Bash!

 



When this posts, we should be on our way to PA's renowned Monster Bash. It'll be our first time there, so I will be very interested to see how it compares and contrasts with G-FEST.

What tipped the scales and motivated us to give it a try is the appearance of Joel Hodgson, creator of Mystery Science Theater 3000, which, around M.O. headquarters, is not only a show to be enjoyed but has become a kind of worldview, at the very least providing us with a shorthand language of references and jokes that must seem pretty peculiar to "outsiders." Anyway, we're going to get his signature and hopefully a photo or two.

Other things we are looking forward to are the appearance of Julie Adams and Ricou Browning of "Creature from the Black Lagoon," a presentation by investigator Stan Gordon, and an Abbott and Costello tribute show. And, oh yeah, an allegedly gigantic dealer's room. We will hopefully post some photos on the fly to let you know how we're doing!

Entering the X-Plus Zone

Well, I've gone and done it. No turning back. I've entered the realm of the X-Plus collector.

I should back up a tiny bit. I've purchased a few X-Plus figures in the past, but mostly of the six-inch variety. Once upon a time I did acquire a loose (out of box) X-Plus Burning Godzilla from my buddy Jason (of Big Fun Columbus these days), and I did obtain a brand new yeti from Half Human at G-FEST, but that was about the extent of it.

So, we found ourselves at one of our favorite comic shops in central Ohio, Packrat Comics in Hilliard, and when what to my wondering eyes should appear, but one X-Plus GMK Godzilla box sitting high upon a shelf. I hemmed and hawed for a while, but finally decided it was time to take the plunge. I'm very glad I did. Not only is the figure incredibly detailed, but the kind folks at Packrat offered him at an extremely reasonable price. As you can see from the photo above, I'm pretty excited to have my favorite G-suit, rendered with such precision, as part of the M.O. museum.

To visit Packrat Comics' website, go here.

G-Fans, G-Friends

A few weeks back we had the pleasure of watching Godzilla on the "Ultrascreen" in Pickerington, Ohio, with kaiju artist and fellow Buckeye state resident Matt Harris. We originally met Matt at G-FEST, only to discover that we live about an hour away from each other. For personal reasons, Matt may not be able to make it to the Windy City this year, so this outing served as a mini-G-FEST, and we were honored to take part in it.

 

 

Here's just one example of Matt's work; his incredible art has graced the cover of G-FAN numerous times. But like almost every Godzilla/tokasatsu fan we've ever met, his personality outshines his great talent, and we're grateful to consider him a friend.

My Podcast Debut

Since this blog was launched, quite a few unique and cool opportunities have come our way. This is the latest. Fellow scribe Seth Breedlove invited me to be a part of the Ancillary Characters Podcast episode 106, which features a round-table discussion of Legendary's "Godzilla." To be candid, I was a little nervous, as this was my first experience in the field of podcastery, but I think things worked out fine. The guys made it really easy, and I had a lot of fun, and I even got to plug G-FEST early in the program.

 

If you'd like to listen, go here.

A True Living Legend

 

Since I was about six years old, I've been familiar with the name Bob Gimlin. This traces back to my voracious reading on the subject matter of Bigfoot. Beginning with Marian T. Place's "On the Track of Bigfoot," I've become fairly well versed in the story and controversy surrounding the "Patterson/Gimlin" film, which shows an apparently female sasquatch walking briskly along Bluff Creek, away from Roger Patterson's documentary camera. Most books tended to focus on Patterson, since he's the one who obtained the footage. For a time, Bob Gimlin was in the background, acknowledged by all as having been there, but assigned a more peripheral role. In recent years that has changed, due in part to the death of Patterson, as well as the Bigfoot community reaching out to Gimlin, especially in the wake of defamatory books and articles.

 All of which is to say that recently we were in the same location as Bob Gimlin, and had the chance to hear him speak about his experience, and shake the man's hand. At age 83, Mr. Gimlin is very friendly, kind, and by his own admission, hard of hearing. But most of all, he strikes me as sincere. It's hard to find the words to describe what it was like to meet someone who, at least in my conception of things, is part of history, or at the very least is part of my history; part of my thought-world and imagination, having read and daydreamed about his experience for almost thirty-five years. The best part? Having listened to his perspective and having looked him in the eye, I think he's telling the truth.

The Year of Godzilla

The latest G-FAN depicts the G we're all waiting to see. It's hard to describe the excitement that's building for Legendary's film. Each day seems to bring a new TV spot or revelation online. Facebook is the locus for such information. Even better, the more that comes to light about the film, the better it looks in every respect, from special effects to acting chops. Memories of the bitter disappointment of 1998 are beginning to fade, and hopes are running high. In my estimation, Gareth Edwards and Legendary are doing everything right. On the G-FEST front, I'm happy to report that the Ifukube concert has been fully funded on Kickstarter and plans are moving forward. We are proud to be backers of this event, which may in fact become a genuine once-in-a-lifetime event. We have also been re-enlisted to organize the G-FEST Kid's Thread; there are some very special surprises in store this year which will include exclusive, limited run souvenirs. Stay Tuned! Speaking of merchandise, a tidal wave of Godzilla-related products is beginning to swell, some of which is related directly to the new movie, and some of which proceeds from the franchise in total. Of great interest to us are the numerous Blu-ray releases that are forthcoming, and, of course, the many toys that have already become available online and in select stores. Sean Linkenback's upcoming poster book will also be a welcome addition to the Monsterland Ohio Library. If you're one of our friends who still checks in here from time to time, I thank you. Chances are we will being seeing you soon. If you're new to MO, feel free to leave a comment. It is a fantastic time to be a proud Godzilla fan. You're invited to join us also on Facebook; just search for Cuyahoga Kaiju Club.

Please Consider Supporting This Kickstarter Effort

UPDATE: Thanks to the generous support of G-Fans from all over the world, the Akira Ifukube concert blew past the fundraising goal of $25,000, and will be held this summer at G-FEST, reportedly at the Pickwick Theater in Park Ridge, Illinois.

G-FEST Blast from the Past

 

Akira Takarada, Toho Icon and 'Classmate of Godzilla'

Book Review: "Atomic Drive-In"

 

 

 

Long-time G-FAN and Scary Monsters contributor Mike Bogue has released an impressive collection of short stories entitled "Atomic Drive-In." The title story is the longest entry, falling into the 'novella' category, and tells the tale of two friends who are transported through time to a parallel earth that has been ravaged by atomic war. Fans of 1950's science fiction will get a charge out of both the direct and subtle references made to films and characters from the genre. "Atomic Drive-In" is more than just an exercise in nostalgia, however. A number of surprisingly deep themes are explored, suggesting that whether your challenges are personal or apocalyptic, it is always possible to make a heroic choice.

 

 Bogue's command of the short story form is evident throughout this collection, and he has a gift for creating compelling characters, some of whom are appealingly unapologetic monster movie fans. G-FAN collectors may recognize "Going Back," a poignant tale of love and loss that appeared in issue 58. Also reprinted from the book "Daikaiju 3: Giant Monsters vs. The World" is "A Calculated Sacrifice," a nightmare vision of angry kaiju gods ruling modern-day Japan. Three other stories are included, one of which, "Mrs. Finney's Special Vine," is particularly evocative in its depiction of a friendship in its final days. This is science fiction with soul, and I give it my highest recommendation.

 

To pick up a copy of "Atomic Drive-In," go here.

 



Happy New Year!

 

2014 is here, and there is much excitement in the Godzilla fan community over the leaks and updates surrounding Legendary's film, which hits theaters in a mere four months and nine days.

 

One hopes that there will be a wave of merchandise and kaiju-related products that will hit the market, in similar fashion to the wave that accompanied Tristar's Godzilla. Some photographs have surfaced online of apparently official prototypes, but they may reflect works in progress as opposed to finished products.

 

We had a good Christmas here at Monsterland Ohio. The kaiju highlight is pictured above. We presented Grampy with his own framed picture of Godzilla 2000, signed by this past year's G-FEST guests. I received the Johnny Sokko DVD box set and Andy was given a number of issues of Marvel Comics' Godzilla series, including the first. We also supplemented our Marvel Masterworks' "Tales to Astonish" collection, which we sort of "backed into" via the G-FEST Dealers Room last year.

 

Speaking of which, we have made our registrations for G-FEST XXI. No word on guests or movies yet. After a one-year hiatus my folks will be joining us again, so there is much to anticipate.

 

The Year of Godzilla is here! Hope yours is happy and fulfilling.