Godzilla (1954) in Detroit

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In November 1954, the very first Godzilla film premiered in Japanese theaters.  The film was a huge success in its native country, and the title character would eventually star in 29 films.  In 1956, the film was released in the United States under the title Godzilla, King Of The Monsters.  This version was extensively altered, though.  Not only was it dubbed into English, but it was also edited to make room for additional scenes filmed in the U.S.  These new scenes starred Raymond Burr (best known as TV's Perry Mason), as American reporter Steve Martin.  Burr's scenes gave the film an American central character for American audiences to identify with.  This version was also very successful, and is the version most widely distributed around the world (outside Japan).  While Godzilla, KOTM is a great monster movie, the original Japanese version is superior for a number of reasons.  It is overall darker, more dramatic, and it conveys a palpable sense of fear regarding atomic war and weaponry. Godzilla's 50th anniversary provided the perfect occasion for audiences in North America to experience the unaltered Japanese Godzilla.  While G'54 had occasionally screened at festivals and conventions, it had never been widely distributed in the U.S.  In 2004, Rialto Pictures, a company specializing in restoring and re-releasing classic films, would rectify that.  They prepared new film prints, with newly-translated subtitles, for North American release.  Promoted under the title Godzilla:  The Uncut Japanese Original, the film was screened in cities across the U.S., to wide critical acclaim and strong box office receipts. Rialto's Godzilla played at the Detroit Film Theater the weekend of July 16, 17, and 18.  In fact, the film opened the theater's 2004 summer / fall season.  DMI's Philip and Jen attended the 7:00 pm show on Friday, July 16.  Please enjoy these pictures we took to illustrate the experience.

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The DFT went all-out in promoting a festive atmosphere.  Outside the theater stood a giant inflatable Godzilla, and speakers were pumping out the sounds of Godzilla roaring, his booming footfalls, and Akira Ifukube's powerful film score.  Above left: The big G towers over prospective filmgoers.  (The entrance is on the left side of the building.)  Above right: The best ticket in Motown!

Above left: Your humble webmaster is only knee-high to Godzilla.  Above right: Godzilla vs. Mick Jagger?!?  Godzilla posters were displayed prominently on a wall advertising films playing at the DFT in the summer / fall 2004 season.

Above left: Jen poses with the big guy.  Above right: Run, Jen, run!

I'm sorry I don't have any pictures of the inside of the theater (no cameras allowed, and all that jazz).  Here's some more info on the DFT:  The Detroit Film Theater is operated by the Detroit Institute of Arts.  The DFT is a large, ornate, old-style movie palace.  It's two stories tall, with a very high ceiling and an old-fashioned balcony.  There is a small cafe on the balcony level, but no food or drink is allowed inside the auditorium.  It has over 1100 seats, and the seats themselves are over 77 years old.  (Fortunately, they are being replaced in late 2004.)  This is how the schedule works:  One movie plays in the evenings, from Friday through Sunday.  (Godzilla was an exception, with afternoon showings as well.)  Then, another film is shown on Monday evening.  (The first time I saw Gamera, Guardian Of The Universe was part of the Monday series in October 1997.)  The DFT specializes in classic, art, and foreign films.  To find out more, go to the Detroit Film Theater website. So how was the show?  Inside, there was a 'buzz' in the air.  It seemed almost like an extension of G-Fest XI, which took place in Chicago the previous weekend.  Quite a few people wore Godzilla shirts.  There was a small showcase of Godzilla memorabilia at which you could sign up to join the Friends of the DFT, a group that has special events like preview film screenings and lectures.  If you joined, you got a Godzilla pin and some Godzilla microwave popcorn.  Jen and I showed up early to secure primo seats (balcony level, front row, along the aisle).  Music from The Best Of Godzilla:  1954 - 1975 CD was playing inside, before the show.  By showtime, the auditorium was about 2/3 full, and the audience seemed to appreciate the movie.  The print looked good; it wasn't pristine and it seemed too dark in places, but this is a 50-year-old foreign film, after all.  It was overall sharp and clear.  The subtitles were excellent, and the sound was good.  All in all, a great job by Rialto.

Above: After the show, Jen and I exited from the balcony.  We got some evening shots of Goji looming over the other filmgoers leaving the theater.

It was great to be able to see this film fairly close to my hometown.  Thanks, Rialto!  To check upcoming playdates for Godzilla:  The Uncut Japanese Original, go to Rialto's Godzilla page.  The page also links to their Godzilla trailer, and film critics' reviews. Move on to the next page to see some advertising and literature relating to the Detroit showing of Godzilla.

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Text by:  Philip (Zillamon51).  Photos by:  Philip and Jen. All reviews, articles, and images on this site are Copyright (c) 2003 - 2004. Please do not re-publish these reviews, articles, and / or images without the consent of the webmaster. All images, and character names and likenesses, are used here for informational purposes only and remain the copyright of their respective owners.