On a related topic:
Godzilla FAQ (2017)
All That's Left to Know about the King of the Monsters
In Search of Godzilla (2025)
Myth, Stagecraft and Politics in Ishiro Honda's Masterpiece
by Rick Wallach
Godzilla (2024)
An Encyclopedia of Godzilla: Shinji Nishikawa Unravels the Depths of Godzilla
Ishiro Honda (2023)
A Life in Film, from Godzilla to Kurosawa
by Steve Ryfle and Ed Godziszewski
Subject: Director > Ishirô Honda
Japan's Green Monsters (2018)
Environmental Commentary in Kaiju Cinema
by Sean Rhoads and Brooke McCorkle
Giant Creatures in Our World (2017)
Essays on Kaiju and American Popular Culture
Dir. Camille D.G. Mustachio and Jason Barr
A Critical History and Filmography of Toho's Godzilla Series
by David Kalat
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Book Presentation:
This thoroughly updated and revised critical account of the Godzilla movie franchise explores the fascinating story behind Japan’s most famous movie monster and its development from black-and-white arthouse allegory to international commercial juggernaut. Reviled by critics but boasting a dedicated cult following, the films of the Godzilla franchise provide a unique window into the national identities of both Japan and the United States. This work focuses on how differences in American and Japanese culture, as well as differences in their respective film industries, underlie the discrepancies between the American and Japanese versions of the films. It features detailed filmographic data for both the American and Japanese versions of each film, including plot synopses, cast, credits, and detailed production notes.
About the Author:
David Kalat is a film historian and a forensic technologist. He has contributed audio commentaries to the home video editions of numerous classic movies, written extensively for Turner Classic Movies and other publications. He lives in La Grange Park, Illinois.
Press Reviews:
"impressive production notes…scholarship is commendable in its harnessing of details from both sides of the Pacific…sure to please Godzilla fans"—Library Journal
"should become the definitive work on this important film series…highly recommended"—ARBA
"the ultimate word on the series…all-encompassing history of the building-stomping franchise will be required reading"—Film Review
"thorough evaluation…the creature’s origins are brilliantly documented"—Samhain
"no stone is left unturned in this deeply researched book…a treasure and a pleasure to read"—Toxic Graveyard
"excellent"—Big Reel
"fascinating"—Little Shoppe of Horrors
"detailed credits, lengthy synopsis and commentary"—Classic Images
See the publisher website: McFarland & Co
See Godzilla (1998) on IMDB ...
> From the same author:
Too Funny for Words (2019)
A Contrarian History of American Screen Comedy from Silent Slapstick to Screwball
by David Kalat
Subject: Genre > Comedy/Humor
The Strange Case of Dr. Mabuse (2005)
A Study of the Twelve Films and Five Novels
by David Kalat
Subject: One Film > Dr. Mabuse the Gambler