Godzilla - Aurora Model Kit (1969 version)

Aurora's first re-issue of their 1964 model kit (and the first with glow-in-the-dark extra parts) has become very highly sought-after these days.  Today we are going to compare artwork with the 1972 re-release, just in case you ever need to know the differences.

If you can get your hands on one, it's pretty easy to tell the difference, as the 1969 kit is the "hard box" version, and the 1972, while the same dimensions, comes in a flimsier box.  But, let's say you can't get close to one, or maybe you are looking at poor auction photos...? Well, it could happen.

The colors are a little washed out on the 1972 box, but the quickest way to differentiate is the bottom-left corner.  The 1972 has white text reading "For Ages 8 and Up, 1/600 Scale," while the bottom-left of the 1969 is blank.  Also, the 1972's copyright info in the top-left says "WESTON MDSE CORP" in a blue box, while the 1969 merely has white text reading "c) RKO GENERAL, INC."

Three side panels are unique:

A box on its side is more difficult.  The 1969 has an extra "-200" added to the kit number.

Now, if THIS is your view, in a glass case at a flea market, you have got it made. The years are printed on this one side only.  More fine print on the 1972 issue.

Also on this side, there is more print on the 1972 (note printing has been moved to Canada by 1972).  Also "CEMENT AND PAINT NOT INCLUDED."

If you want to see the contents, it's the same as was reissued in 1972, and again in 1978 by Monogram, so you can check out our articles on those!

For completeness, here are scans of the instructions! It goes without saying, but if you do ever run into one of these kits...buy it.

DRACULA'S GREATEST HITS (RCA, 1964)

I'm happy to say that yesterday, I added a long-time want to my collection, and that is the crazy LP called "Dracula's Greatest Hits."

Why, you ask? Here are a few reasons to love this kooky album:

1) Early 60's Monster Aesthetic.  First of all, this record takes you back to the time of Famous Monsters of Filmland, Aurora model kits, and bubble gum cards that featured stills of zombies, monsters, and ghouls with eyes gouged out...and nobody even questioned it.  Clearly it was a great time to be a kid.  Could we have had the Space Opera 70's without the Monster 60's?

2) The Artwork of Jack Davis, National Treasure.  I bet your house is full of other examples of Jack Davis art.  You might not have even known it, but the man did uncountable album covers, board game artworks, advertisements, and much more...and of course was a frequent contributor to MAD magazine, back when it was good.  He is missed.  Just get lost in the artwork above; I'll wait.

3) A Free Sheet of MONSTER FAN CARDS.  Now we get to my personal top reason for wanting this album forever--a full, unseparated sheet of Jack Davis monster trading cards! These were perforated, so sometimes it can be hard to find an unused sheet.  And, just look at what's on the bottom row!

Yes! A (totally unauthorized) Godzilla card! Now, before you scoff at his portrayal as my kids did, remember that this was right on the heels of KING KONG (who also gets a card here) vs. GODZILLA, which brought the big G into the American mainstream.  I think the portrayal is excellent.  I should point out---and I need to do a future post about this--that there are only even a handful of Godzilla items produced in the USA during the entire decade of the 1960's, which, from a modern standpoint, boggles the mind!

Back to the LP, before I forget.  The entire 28 minutes is up on YouTube, so "enjoy" if you will! It's very silly and fun!

BONUS:

Here are high resolution scans of the sheet of Monster Cards! I didn't even crop them, because I didn't want any software downgrading the files.  To make up for the narrow-ness of my scanner, I scanned all four corners of the sheet.  Enjoy: