Godzilla on My Mind: Fifty Years of the King of Monsters FROM THE PUBLISHER
Fifty Years Ago This November, Godzilla (Gojira in Japanese) crawled out of his radioactive birthplace onto the silver screen to cut his first swath of destruction through Tokyo and into our imaginations. Today Godzilla stands as a pop icon of Japan (the third most recognizable Japanese celebrity, according to a New York Times poll) as well as of that destructive rage that dwells within almost all of us. In this short reflection on Godzilla, William Tsutsui, a life-long fan and professional historian, gives us a light-hearted look at 50 years of the big, green, radioactive lizard. He explores how the original Godzilla film was created and how it grew into a global phenomenon. Through humor and anecdotes, Godzilla on My Mind explores the monster's lasting cultural impact on Japan, the United States, and the globe.
FROM THE CRITICS
Library Journal
When Godzilla first destroyed Tokyo in 1954, no one could fathom that 50 years and 28 movies later, a radioactive lizard would be an international superstar. What made the rampaging Godzilla King of the Monsters? That is the question Tsutsui (history, Univ. of Kansas) attempts to answer in this original look at a movie icon. Drawing on personal anecdotes, fan conventions, and atomic-age mentalities, Tsutsui blends together elements that turned Godzilla from fearsome monster into protector of Japan. Tsutsui explains that the original movie was inspired by Hiroshima's aftermath and provides thoughtful insight into how both Japanese and American culture affected Godzilla's image. Included is a short analysis of many Godzilla films, technical trivia, plus intriguing facts about the King of the Monsters. This is an excellent (and reasonably priced) book for hard-core fans or students doing research on culture in films, but it may not appeal to general readers. Recommended for libraries with strong film studies. [See LJ 9/15/04 for an interview with Tsutsui. Ed.] Rosalind Dayen, South Regional Lib., Broward Cty., FL Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
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