Don’t touch that dial, this just in from Granny…
Greetings, my children…
Here’s a question for you: What’s better than one or two giant monsters in one movie? The answer? Eleven!!
Yesireebob, Toho really outdid itself when it released its all-out monster spectacle Destroy All Monsters in 1968. Developed as a kind of finale to the whole Godzilla series due to declining box office receipts, the producers thought, “Why not?” and decided to go out with a bang, and developed a story that would feature most of their famous giant monsters.
What a collection! The monsters featured include Godzilla, Anguirus, Rodan, Manda, Kumonga, Varan, Baragon, King Ghidorah, Minilla, Mothra, and Gorosaurus. The final battle of the good-guy monsters against King Ghidorah set at the base of Mount Fuji tasked the costumed performers and the wire-specialists to the hilt. It was spectacular and every monsterkid’s dream.
Aside from the giant monsters, the movie featured spaceships, flying saucers, female aliens, mind control, a moon base, and great miniature and special effects work. You all know my appreciation for Toho’s great miniature department, and the scene of Gorosaurus rising up from underneath the Arc de Triomphe in Paris is one of the best anywhere! The way the miniature breaks apart and topples amazes me every time I see it!
American International Pictures released only four radio spots for the American release and they are really good, although they only highlight four monsters, not the eleven fans get to eventually see. Each of the four destroys a city before teaming up against Tokyo and the radio spots reflect the excitement.
So, while you are listening, visualize the chaos and destruction, and let your battle-cry be, “DESTROY ALL MONSTERS!”
Destroy All Monsters 30 and 60 seconds radio spots!
Do you have any radio spots you would like to share? Contact Granny (Gary Fox) at [email protected].