Godzilla on My Mind: Fifty Years of the King of Monsters » (1st Edition)

William Tsutsui is an Associate Professor of history at the University of Kansas.

This year, to mark the fiftieth anniversary of his first appearance on the screen, the original, uncut version of Godzilla was released in American theaters to the delight of Sci-Fi and B-Movie fans everywhere. Ever since Godzilla (or, Gojira, as he is known in Japan) crawled out of his radioactive birthplace to cut a swath of destruction through Tokyo, he has claimed a place alongside King Kong and others in the movie monster pantheon. He is the third most recognizable Japanese celebrity in the United States, and his fan base continues to grow as children today prove his enduring appeal. Now, Bill Tsutsui, a life-long fan and historian, takes a light-hearted look at the big, green, radioactive lizard, revealing how he was born and how he became a megastar. With humorous anecdotes, Godzilla on My Mind explores his lasting cultural impact on the world. This book is sure to be welcomed by pop culture enthusiasts, fans, and historians alike.

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.