Godzilla Birthday Card (Hallmark, 1986)

Here is another great Godzilla-themed card, this time a birthday card.  I wish I had gotten this card back in the day! It is die-cut, and features a cool image from GODZILLA 1985, which makes sense, because the card came out in 1986.  What's more, it's not one of the overused, "cliche" images, like we saw in the last greeting card.

Inside is a birthday message, with the biggest word "SMASH!" done in a "samurai" font, because Japan, and, because it was 1986.

Here is the back. I have a couple more vintage cards to come! As always, see the Vintage American Godzilla Collectibles list on the left of the page to see them all.

PETSTER GODZILLA: The Owner's Manual and Training Guide (Axlon, 1987)

I am very happy to present the "Owner's Manual and Training Guide" for the Godzilla Petster! Available nowhere online, I was able to obtain a physical copy of my own, and I've scanned it for this blog! Enjoy!  To see the Godzilla Petster, see this post!

Bubble Blowing Godzilla (Imperial Toys, 1985)

Here is a vintage item that's been on my list for a while now, and finally one in a good box, with insert, came along.  This is the famous (and sometimes infamous) Bubble [hyphen needed] Blowing Godzilla, by the masters of the quick and cheap, Imperial Toys.  

It makes you wonder why the "Godzilla Saxophone" wasn't considered!

Basically, it's as simple as, you pour Godzilla's mouth full of bubbles, and go to town. He has a gauge on one side of his neck (seen in the first photo), so you know when to stop.

One thing I had no idea about:  Godzilla has googly eyes.  GOOGLY EYES!!!

Godzilla is somewhat posable.  The legs, arms, and even the tail move around (which is surprising because you would think the tail joint would be an opportunity for a big ol' leak).  The plastic is less than sturdy, however, and I was lucky to get a completely unused example.  I don't think he would hold up to city-stomping play.

Step 1: pour soap.  Step 2: blow lovely hand-drawn, airbrushed bubbles.

Imperial was nice enough to include a supply of bubbles (they made those too, of course, along with every Parachuting Army Man that you have ever seen), "Fun Size Miracle Bubbles" to be exact.  The seller had sealed them up, so I left them that way to avoid leaking soap.

And everything fits back into the box (except for Godzilla's dignity, since he is packed upside-down).  There is even a little shelf on the box insert where the bubbles sit.

Another vintage want crossed off my list!

GODZILLA KING OF THE MONSTERS (2019) Crew Patches!

Here's a super-cool item: crew patches that were specially made for the folks who worked on GODZILLA KING OF THE MONSTERS! I bought these from a group that buys film props and production items in Hollywood.  Unfortunately, it appears that, as somebody was cutting off my second patch, they got a little carried away, and cut off the year!

I went through the MAKING OF hardcover book, looking for a photo of a crewperson wearing one of these, but couldn't find one.  Here is a photo from Pinterest:

Now I have to find a cool way to display my intact patch! And wallspace....it's at a premium these days.

Godzilla Monster Fun Straw (Trendmasters, 1994)

Here is an item that I didn't even know about back in the day (the Trendmasters day).  My suspicion is because it wasn't kept in the toy aisle, but in some sort of "housewares" or kitchen aisle.

It's the sort of fun collectible you might expect to see in Japan, rather than the US.  The card says "Help Godzilla Fend Off the Attacking Jet Fighter!" which encourages you to spin him around (and the jet too!) while you use the straw, which is nothing short of adorable.  I should point out that the sculpt of Godzilla used here is very dynamic, and was used nowhere else, to my knowledge.

The back of the card shows the beginning line-up of Godzilla toys that Trendmasters produced in 1994. 

Another part of a Godzilla toy made by Trendmasters was the included trading card.  The company was diligent to include one with nearly every single product, even if it wasn't an action figure and didn't quite match the item, as shown above.  These cards are prized by collectors, and rarely come up for sale.

A few of their non-action-figure products were known to include different possible trading cards from the series; in other words, you could collect a variant of the straw above, with a "Godzilla vs. Rodan" trading card (which does exist), and probably others too!

One thing that continues to amaze me about the Trendmasters line (and it's been just about long enough for the 90's to become desirable and nostalgic) was how large it was.  Like me, you probably remember a modest amount of figures, but then it dawns on you how many sizes they were available in, not to mention the variety of other products they produced...and occasionally, if you research the subject, you might discover one that you never knew about!

GODZILLA KING OF THE MONSTERS Items (2019) Continued!

Here is the remainder of my KING OF THE MONSTERS items that have come in lately! As I mentioned in the last post, the commemorative IMAX Regal Theaters ticket had a code on the back, which allowed you to send off for a mail-away promotional 13 x 19" IMAX poster (by just paying shipping, which I think was 8 bucks).  I am happy to say the poster that arrived in a week not only came in a sturdy tube, but is also completely unique!

Next, here is most of an 8-page theatrical booklet that was available in Japanese theaters!

Here is the chirashi flyer for the film, also from Japanese theaters!

And finally, here are better photos of the Japanese flyer from last time, that showcases all of the monster portraits! Good stuff!

GODZILLA KING OF THE MONSTERS Items (2019)

Here are some amazing GODZILLA KING OF THE MONSTERS items I've acquired lately! The artwork for this movie is beyond stellar! First up is the US Advance 27x40" double-sided poster!

...which of course led to the final US 1-sheet (also double-sided and 27x40").  You will note that I borrowed the image from Ebay--take that as an endorsement and buy from this seller, for great service and excellent packing!

Some IMAX theaters offered collectible tickets, numbered and limited to 1000.  On the back was an offer for a free IMAX poster.  It's unclear if it's exactly the same poster as this next item, but we shall see when it arrives in the mail in 10-12 business days. [EDIT: The mail-away is indeed a unique poster, which will be seen next post!]

This stunning IMAX poster measures 13 x 19". I bought it from an Ebay seller, and it came rolled in a plastic sleeve.  

I always enjoy finding some of the most unusual Godzilla promotional items, and this is no exception! This is a key-card from Caesar's Palace hotel and casino in Las Vegas!

And finally, the stunning artwork of all four monsters.  Even though there are tons of reproductions (or "prints") on Ebay, it's very difficult to find genuine versions of the artwork, especially with minimal text.  I went with a Japanese flyer that is B4 sized (folded in half; approximately 7 x 10") and 4 pages.  In fact, the seller was selling two copies together in sets, which would be TRULY incredible to frame together, as seen above.  I would recommend these; they are inexpensive and very high quality.  

Speaking of, I'm also waiting on a Japanese program book and a couple more things that I will have to scan when they arrive. Stay tuned!

UPDATED: Do You Have Any of These Godzilla VHS Tapes?

Updated from a previous post!
If you have any of these American Godzilla videos, I want to buy them!!!

1) Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster (clamshell, Hollywood Home Theater, unknown)
2) Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster (Hollywood Home Theater, unknown)

If you are interested in seeing the close to 200 Godzilla & Toho kaiju VHS releases, you can view my separate page called GODZILLA: American VHS 1983-2002.

If you own any of these tapes, please contact me at samtheq@juno.com.  Even if you aren't interested in selling them, and can provide some of the unknown details, or decent scans for the page linked above, it would be hugely helpful!

Lego Empire Strikes Back Bounty Hunters Diorama!

I've been wanting to make a diorama of this scene for years now, and since Lego has FINALLY GIVEN US A ZUCKUSS minifigure, it can now be done.

Thank you to my Danish overlords for FINALLY GIVING US THE LAST BOUNTY HUNTER.

"THAT man is playing Galaga!"

GODZILLA vs. THE THING Half-Sheet Poster! (American International, 1964)

The "before" (see bottom of article for "after").

There is hardly a more iconic American Godzilla poster than the one for GODZILLA vs. THE THING.  I'm referring to the one-sheet movie poster, which even today is the most common size in your local movie theatre.  So let's start with that!

This poster is one of my top 5 favorite American Godzilla posters.  It's endearing for several reasons to me.  Right away, it's an awesome and incredible piece of artwork, by prolific movie poster artist Reynold Brown.  It has form, motion, and composition that other posters could only dream about.  Secondly, I have a huge admiration for the completely bonkers and over-the-top ad campaign that American International dreamed up.  (I keep trying not to use the word "ballyhoo," but I just can't resist.  So: ballyhoo.)  Changing Mothra to "The Thing" was one, well, thing...but refusing to show her on the poster was a stroke of mad genius.  Especially because some people would possibly remember that Mothra had been in a film of her own a few years earlier (but released by a different studio, in this case, Columbia Pictures)...but let's not forget about the fact that there was already a monster laying claim to the title of THE THING, from the 1951 film.  I've never thought about it in this way before, but do you think that some movie fans thought Godzilla was going to be fighting James Arness? Probably not.

But I digress, as I usually do.  The one-sheet poster was amazing enough, but the half-sheet took it to another entire level.  If you know anything about movie posters, you know that it wouldn't be a huge overstatement to say that the majority of half-sheet movie posters merely present the same artwork of the one-sheet in a different layout.  However, the half-sheet for this film had secondary artwork that was so good, it got its own unique presentation. A squirming mass of thorny tentacles (ironically predicting Biollante 25 years early) loom forth from behind a huge label reading "CENSORED"...with a William Castle-like warning that this monster just may be too terrifying for you to withstand.  How's that for enticing an audience? It's so good, it just boggles the mind.

Now, the secondary artwork isn't confined to only the half-sheet poster.  It's on the window card, the pressbook, and about 1/2 of the newspaper ads!  AI had two stellar paintings, so they got plenty of use from both.

Here are both of Brown's original paintings, minus the graphics and lettering, from a very providential magazine article (it looks like STARLOG to me, but if anyone knows, I'll correct my assumption):

Imagine--somebody somewhere owns these glorious originals. I hope they are properly framed and displayed prominently!

This has been a long-winded way to get back to my own half-sheet poster, but as you can see, I'm quite excited about it.  What was very interesting was that the seller was the original owner, and, as a kid, had actually asked his local theatre in Ohio if he could have it, in the fall of 1964!  I assured him it was going to a house full of framed Godzilla posters and lobby cards--in fact, it's perpendicular to the wall displaying the one-sheet version--and he was pleased to know it would have a good home!

I use my local Michael's framers, because they are conscientious and use archival and acid-free materials.  They were kind enough to "iron" the poster for me in the dry-mounting press and get some of the wrinkles out!