Commentary: Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972)

Jeff, Bryan, Rachel and I sat down to record a commentary for what I’m saying (right now) is my favorite Godzilla film from the 1970s, Godzilla vs. Gigan (Chikyū Kogeki Meirei: Godzilla tai Gigan). In addition to everyone coming over before hand to watch the film together, I opted to read a few things instead of trying to rely on my faulty memory. I think the result is a pretty damned entertaining and informative 90 minutes.

Also, since I was unable to keep up with the score’s commentary, here is a...

Guide to Stock Music Used on GODZILLA VS. GIGAN

1. The “Main Title” is actually edited together from three sources:

a) THE BIG BOSS – Cue M12T2 (title unknown)

b) GODZILLA VS. THE THING – brief excerpt from “Destruction of the Hamikaze Hotel” (M20)

c) BIRTH OF THE JAPANESE ISLANDS – shortened edit of “Volcano” (M3)

2. A LIFETIME OF BUSINESS SAVVY – THE TOUGHEST GUY AROUND (Japanese title, “Shokon Ichidai Tenka No Abarenbo”) – “The Meiji Restoration”(M4)

3. DESTROY ALL MONSTERS – brief excerpt from “Monster Land” (M3)

4. ATRAGON – “The Film That Was Sent” (M5)

5. FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD – excerpt from “Main Title” (M1)

6. THE BIG BOSS – Cue M15B (title unknown)

7. ATRAGON – “The Submarine Returns to Port” (M11)

8. DESTROY ALL MONSTERS – excerpt from “Monster Land” (M3)

9. DESTROY ALL MONSTERS – excerpt from “Monster Land” (M3)

10. LATITUDE ZERO – “Mariku and Dr. Okada” (M21)

11. FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD – excerpt from “Search March” (M21)

12. FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD – “Encounter in the Rain” (M6)

13. DESTROY ALL MONSTERS – “SY-3 Sortie” (M20)

14. DESTROY ALL MONSTERS – “Escape From Monster Land” (M10)

15. ATRAGON – “The Film That Was Sent” (M5)

16. FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD – “The Whereabouts of the Wrist”(M19)

17. BATTLE IN OUTER SPACE – edit of “Opening” (M1)

18. BATTLE IN OUTER SPACE – “Main Title” (M2)

19. FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD – “The Whereabouts of the Wrist”(M19)

20. FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD – “Search in the Fog” (M26)

21. GHIDRAH THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER – “Discovery of the Meteor” (M6 – played twice)

22. DESTROY ALL MONSTERS – edit of “Fire Dragon Pursuit” (M28)

23. DESTROY ALL MONSTERS – “Major Battle at Fuji I” (M25)

24. GODZILLA VS. THE THING – edits together “Godzilla and Nagoya” (M14) and “Plan B: Electrocution” (M23)

25. GODZILLA VS. THE THING – excerpt from “Destruction of the Hamakaze Hotel” (M20)

26. GHIDRAH THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER – “Godzilla Attacks Radon” (M19)

27. GHIDRAH THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER – edits together “The Two Monsters Appear in Yokohama” (M11) and “The Fury of the Gravity Beam” (M15)

28. FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD – “The Strange Person in the Cage” (M11)

29. Not a stock cue – original pop song written for the film

(Vocal:Ishikawa Susumu Lyrics: Sekizawa Shinichi Music: Miyaguchi Danro)

30. EXPO ’70 Mitsubishi exhibit – extended edit of “Storm” (M2)

31. EXPO ’70 Mitsubishi exhibit – extended edit of “Volcano” (M3)

32. DESTROY ALL MONSTERS – “Ending” (M29)

33. Film version of “Main Title”, edited together from three sources:

a) THE BIG BOSS – Cue M12T2 (title unknown)

b) GODZILLA VS. THE THING – brief excerpt from “Destruction of the

Hamikaze Hotel” (M20)

c) EXPO ’70 Mitsubishi exhibit – shortened edit of “Volcano” (M3)

34. Godzilla March (Vocal: Ishikawa Susumu/Lyrics: Sekizawa Shinichi Music:Miyaguchi Danro)

*If listeners really want me to detail what’s happening in the film when these cues happen, I will add that information after G-Fest.