ALL MONSTERS ATTACK 1969 (CRITERION) BLU-RAY

The most popular Godzilla film in the Showa-Era was followed by this, the least liked film of the series.

Ishiro Honda handled the directing chores on this effort and it at least has that going for it.

A child, Ichiro (Tomonori Yazaki) who is bullied at school lives in a fantasy world where he visits Monster Island and befriends Godzilla's son, who is also being bullied.

The two have adventures together on the island as we get to see Godzilla battling many different monster via stock footage from other films. Godzilla also encourages his son to stand up for himself against a bully monster named Gabara.

Ichiro learns some lessons from Minilla and takes that knowledge and uses it to outwit two bumbling bank robbers as well as defend himself against a bully. This is a childs fantasy film, and taken in that context there is nothing wrong with the film.

However, when I first saw this way back in the early 70's on TV as a child, I was appalled by the movie. It is quite shocking to hear Minilla actually talking and if you're expecting the typical Godzilla film you are sadly mistaken. The film was not a success here in the USA or in Japan and it would be two years before another Godzilla epic was made, and that one is a story unto itself for another time.

The Criterion edition is as beautiful as I have ever seen this film and the original Japanese version is much better than the US dubbed garbage I have seen before. Still this is also my least favorite film from this era.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Judy Pace is 78, Joy Bang is 75, and Cindy Leadbetter is 65.

THE CANDIDATE 1964 (TUBI)

An interesting and obscure little film.

Ted Knight stars as Frank Carlton, a man running for a Senate seat in Washington D.C.

His career seems to be on the rise when he puts it all in jeopardy and befriends a beautiful English immigrant named Angela Wallace (JUne Wilkinson). They hit it off very well and become sexually involved which leads to trouble.

While this is going on, Carlton's campaign manager, Buddy Barker (Eric Mason) gets involved with a beautiful woman named Christine Ashley (gorgeous Mamie Van Doren) and the two become quick lovers.

All of this is presented in flashback during hearings aimed at Barker, During the hearing a stag film starring Angela is brought out and it causes Carlton to have a heart attack which proves to be his demise.

The downbeat ending shows us Buddy Barker, once high in the political world now a totally broken man with no friends. Christine tries one last time to break thru, but it does no good, so we see Barker sitting in his dark office, a shell of what he once was.

This is an excellent little satire on the politics of the times. It may seem tame today, but back in the early 60's things were very different. It's a great cast with Mason and Knight doing fine jobs, but the standouts of course, are Mamie and June.

June was once the most photographed woman in the world. The rest of the cast includes Rachel Roman, Herb Vigran, and George Cisar. If you like obscure and off the wall films, you might like this. It was one of the few Mamie Van Doren films I hadn't been able to see until now.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Malcolm McDowell is 77.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

A very belated Birthday wish to a lovely woman indeed.

Felissa Rose turned 51 on May 23rd.

DESTROY ALL MONSTERS 1969 (CRITERION) BLU-RAY

According to most Godzilla fans, this is the best film in the entire series, and rightly so.

Once again Toho was planning on this being the final Godzilla film but we all know how that worked out.

In this slam bang film female invaders from the planet Kilaak invade the Earth with full intent on taking over. They use electronic microchips to control certain humans as well as all of the Earth's monsters who now have been gathered on what is called "Monster Island".

The invaders send various monster to major world cities for complete destruction. Mothra invades Peking, Gorasaurus destroys Paris, Rodan raises hell in Moscow and Godzilla tramples New York while Tokyo remains untouched.

That is soon changed as all of the monsters are brought to Tokyo and go on a spree of utter destruction while the authorities work to stop the invaders. They discover that the invaders cannot stand cold and they finally get the upper hand.

In a last ditch attempt to conquer the world they bring King Ghidorah to Earth to fight the now human controlled monsters. The final showdown takes place on Mount Fuji. It's very cool to see almost the entire Toho monster cast in this film and this is one film that NEVER slows down for one minute.

Easily, this is my favorite Godzilla movie from this era and it was also the swan song of effects genius Eiji Tsuburaya who passed away shortly after the film was completed. The directing chores were again handled by Ishiro Honda and the wonderful music was done by Akira Ifukube.

I have owned three different version on this film on DVD, but this Blu-ray is the crowning achievement. It is, of course, in Japanese with English subtitles which is perfect because the US dubbing always leaves something to be desired.

This film was also the last Godzilla film to make tons of money all over the world and it remained in TV syndication in the US for many years. This is an absolutely MUST SEE film from the Showa-Era. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Glori-Anne Gilbert is 51, Mark Henry is 49, and Shari Eubank is 73.

RIP JOHNNY WALKER 1934-2020

A wrestling legend has passed away.

Walker wrestled under the name Mr. Wrestling 2 and was a huge star in the 70's and 80's, especially in the Georgia area with NWA wrestling.

Mr. Wrestling 2 became one of the most popular stars to appear on WTCG TV 17 in Atlanta before it became WTBS and went nationwide. After TBS went nationwide, Walker gained even more fame and became a top star for over a decade.

He passed away in Hawaii on June 9th at the age of 85.

WEREWOLVES ON WHEELS 1971 (SHOUT TV)

Believe it or not I had never seen this film.

In the 1960's a whole slew of biker films came out, and with horror being big in the early 70's it was inevitable that the two should mix.

This is a bizarre film about a group of bikers that ride around and raise hell all day and night. Their leader is Adam (Steve Oliver) and one day they decide to sleep near a mysterious monastery.

They are set upon by a group of monks who feed them and give them wine. However the food is drugged and they all fall asleep. The monks are actually a Devil worshiping cult lead by a leader named One (Severn Darden).

They cast a spell on the young woman Adam is going with named Helen (Donna Anders) and before you know it members of the biker gang are being killed one by one by a savage monster. It seems Helen has been cursed by Satan to be his bride and turning into a werewolf is part of the deal.

Things get even more bizarre when the gang, believing they are all cursed, vow to go back to the monastery and kill the monks to end the curse, but instead find themselves swept into a blinding sandstorm only to reappear in the middle of a desert!

Before all is over, Helen manages to turn Adam into a werewolf as well. The ending is weird as hell and I believe all of the bikers are transformed into monster by the cult, at least that was my take on it.

This is not too bad of a movie, and it's really not as bad as most people make it out to be. If you like 70's hybrid horror you'll enjoy this little exploitation film. The cast also includes Billy Gray and Barry McGuire.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Adrienne Barbeau is 75, and Dawn Wildsmith is 57.

RAMBLINGS...

Just in case you didn't know...

Google is going to start using a new interface for their bloggers in just a couple of weeks. I am trying to learn some of this stuff as quickly as I can, but I am just letting you people know their may be a few glitches and everything may not be as it has been for the last few years.

Anyway, thanks for sticking with me, and we will see what happens I guess.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Elizabeth Hurley is 55, Luciana Paluzzi is 83, and Andrew Stevens is 65.

SON OF GODZILLA 1968 (CRITERION) BLU-RAY

Another Godzilla saga that takes place on an island to cut the production costs.

I was never a fan of the fact they gave Godzilla a child, but as the market demanded it was done.

On a tropical island a small group of weather researchers are working on a way to control weather and help in the production of crops to feed an ever expanding population.

A reporter parachutes down onto the island and is met by hostility by the project leader. However, the troubles soon get worse when they discover that several giant insects are living on the island.

The giant praying mantis is known as Kamacuras and the giant spider is called Kumonga. As if these creatures aren't enough trouble. Godzilla shows up and a small egg hatches and out comes Minilla, Godzilla's son.

The big guy has to protect his small son from the evil Kamacuras as well as Kumonga, plus teach him to blow radioactive breath. Some of the film is played for laughs while other parts are typical Godzilla and done very seriously.

This was directed by Jun Fukuda. It was his second foray into the genre after "Ebirah, Horror Of The Deep" and it is thanks largely to the cast of Toho veteran actors that the film works at all. Don't misunderstand me, the films isn't bad, but it is really decidedly different in its presentation.

The print is better than anything I have ever seen and it will never look better since Criterion has obtained it. Recommended for all Godzilla fans. The next film in the Showa-Era would take the series to new heights.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Shandi Finnessey is 42, and Marilyn Hanold is 82.

RIP BONNIE POINTER 1950-2020

Another of my musical inspirations in my life has died.

Bonnie Pointer of the great trio known as The Pointer Sisters has died at the age of 69.

She and her sisters, June and Anita came to prominence in 1973 with the album "The Pointer Sisters" and had a smash hit entitled "Yes We Can Can".

In the Mid 1970's they had a string of hits including "Fire", "I'm So Excited" and "Slow Hand". They even had a country hit in 1974 that Bonnie co-wrote called "Fairytale" and that record made them the FIRST black trio to ever perform at the Grand Ole Opry.

I listened to their music religiously, and I still do. June is gone and now Bonnie. Their music will always be a part of my life.