Saturday, August 27, 2011

GODZILLA vs HEDORAH 40th Anniversary Poster, Lobby Card And Photo Bonanza!

Written By: Ken Hulsey

This past weekend I posted an article that was very well received about classic monster movie posters so I have decided to turn the subject into a series of features here at Monster Island News. The only problem is .... where do I start? There are so many awesome sci fi, horror and monster movie posters out there it is hard to pinpoint just where to begin.

That's when it hit me.

As our very own Armand Vaquer noted in a couple of great pieces a few of weeks back this month marks the 40th anniversary of the release of "Godzilla vs Hedorah" in Japan so I figured this was as good a place to start as any.

To the left is one of the original Japanese adds for the film. As you probably have noticed the poster is rather tall and narrow. These "skinny" posters were displayed in Japanese theaters alongside standard sized ones to promote the film. As is typical of these posters this one contains giant sized lettering and a small graphic of the monsters at the bottom.

Here is a collection of "Godzilla vs Hedorah" posters, lobby cards, and promotional photos from around the globe:

Japan

Where better to start off this gallery than in the film's country of origin. Here is the original artwork for "Godzilla vs Hedorah" circa 1971.









Above are four Japanese promotional photos that would have been released to magazines and newspapers.

United States



Here in America the film was released under the title "Godzilla vs The Smog Monster". This is the poster that was featured in theaters during that release.

A promotional photo for American magazines and newspapers.

An "add slick" for "Godzilla vs The Smog Monster" for newspapers.

Italy


You really have to love this Italian poster. Strangely Godzilla has been replaced by a T-Rex.


Likewise in this companion poster Godzilla has been replaced by not just one dinosaur but two.


This lobby card features not only Godzilla and Hedorah but the Korean movie monster Yongary as well. Many foreign movie posters and lobby cards for Godzilla films often times feature monsters not in the movies themselves. Most often times it's Gamera who appears in these adds.







Poland

Most Polish Godzilla posters look like they are adds for The Beatles "Yellow Submarine". This one features Hedorah inside Godzilla's silhouette.

Germany


A German variation on the original Japanese poster art. The most obvious thing that stands out about this poster is the name "Frankenstein". Oddly all such German promotional materials for the films in the Godzilla movie series feature the names "Frankenstein" and "King Kong".I

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"LEGENDARY PICTURES TO DEVELOP AND PRODUCE MAJOR MOTION PICTURE BASED ON TOHO COMPANY’S ICONIC MONSTER, GODZILLA

Burbank, CA – March 29, 2010 – Legendary Pictures announced today that they will develop and produce a new film based on Toho Company’s famed GODZILLA character. Through the terms of the agreement, Legendary Pictures has acquired the rights to produce a movie inspired by Toho’s Godzilla, a franchise the Japanese company created and has nurtured for over fifty years.

Toho’s GODZILLA franchise boasts one of the most widely recognized film creatures worldwide, resulting in a series of books, television programs, video games and more than 25 films worldwide. Legendary intends to approach the film and its characters in the most authentic manner possible. The company will, in the near future, announce a filmmaker to helm the film for an intended 2012 release. The film will fall under the company’s co-production and co-financing deal with Warner Bros. Toho will distribute the film in Japan."

"Godzilla" is coming back -- this time, with Legendary Pictures taking the lead, co-producing and co-financing with Warner Bros. for release in 2012.

Legendary announced Monday it had obtained rights to the iconic monster character from Japan's Toho Co., which has overseen more than 25 "Godzilla" films. Toho will release the pic in Japan.

Legendary said it's planning to announce a director shortly.

In addition to Legendary, producers on the new film will be Dan Lin, Roy Lee and Brian Rogers. Yoshimitsu Banno, Kenji Okuhira and Doug Davison will exec produce.

"Godzilla is one of the world's most powerful pop culture icons, and we at Legendary are thrilled to be able to create a modern epic based on this long-loved Toho franchise," said Thomas Tull, Chairman and CEO of Legendary. "Our plans are to produce the Godzilla that we, as fans, would want to see. We intend to do justice to those essential elements that have allowed this character to remain as pop-culturally relevant for as long as it has."

Legendary noted the film will fall under its co-production and co-financing deal with Warner Bros. Legendary's productions with Warners have included "The Dark Knight," "300" and "The Hangover."

Speculation about a new "Godzilla" has been active since last summer. The Bloody Disgusting web site reported in August that the project was in development.