Godzilla vs. Megalon (lost NBC John Belushi skit bumpers for film; 1977): Difference between revisions
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On 15 March, 1977, NBC broadcast nationally and in prime time ''Godzilla vs. Megalon ''(1973). It was the only installment of the Japanese ''Godzilla'' film franchise that had this privilege. | |||
Since the film had a goofy reputation, '''bumpers were filmed featuring ''Saturday Night Live'' actor and comedian John Belushi in a Godzilla suit'''. | Since the film had a goofy reputation, '''bumpers were filmed featuring ''Saturday Night Live'' actor and comedian John Belushi in a Godzilla suit'''. | ||
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John Belushi as Godzilla would make snarky - though played straight for the character - remarks about the film and franchise, end up trashing his chair and then biting down on the movie reels. | John Belushi as Godzilla would make snarky - though played straight for the character - remarks about the film and franchise, end up trashing his chair and then biting down on the movie reels. | ||
Belushi had previously played Godzilla in an SNL skit with Gilda Radner as "Baba Wawa" (a broad parody of Barbara Walters), treated as though the fictional monster were an actor in his own films. | Belushi had previously played Godzilla in an SNL skit with Gilda Radner as "Baba Wawa" (a broad parody of Barbara Walters), treated as though the fictional monster were an actor in his own films. Given the amount of classic horror/monster parodies on the first five years of SNL, it seems possible that Belushi was a Godzilla fan. | ||
The broadcast was an hour long, requiring the movie to have half its 81 minute runtime cut. | |||
==Availability== | ==Availability== | ||
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==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
During those promos/bumpers, Belushi ends up repeating a common Godzilla film fallacy, promising that ''Godzilla vs. Megalon'' will not be like his other films. Among the ones he cites is "Godzilla Vs. Rodan." While the pteranodon-like Kaiju and Godzilla have fought several times, there has never been a film by this title, making it seem like a "lost Godzilla film" all by itself. | During those promos/bumpers, Belushi ends up repeating a common Godzilla film fallacy, promising that ''Godzilla vs. Megalon'' will not be like his other films. Among the ones he cites is "Godzilla Vs. Rodan." While the pteranodon-like Kaiju and Godzilla have fought several times, there has never been a film by this title, making it seem like a "lost Godzilla film" all by itself. | ||
==Gallery== | |||
<gallery mode=packed heights=175px> | |||
File:Godzilla newspaper.png|Newspaper excerpt of airing and synopsis of the broadcast. | |||
File:Godzilla Book excerpt.png|Excerpt of the special from David Kalat's book "A Critical History and Filmography of Toho's Godzilla Series, 2d Ed." | |||
</gallery> | |||
[[Category:Lost advertising and interstitial material]] | [[Category:Lost advertising and interstitial material]] | ||
[[Category:Lost TV]] | [[Category:Lost TV]] | ||
[[Category:Completely lost media]] | [[Category:Completely lost media]] | ||
Revision as of 04:58, 2 July 2021
Newspaper promotion for the NBC airing
Status: Lost
On 15 March, 1977, NBC broadcast nationally and in prime time Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973). It was the only installment of the Japanese Godzilla film franchise that had this privilege.
Since the film had a goofy reputation, bumpers were filmed featuring Saturday Night Live actor and comedian John Belushi in a Godzilla suit.
Description
John Belushi as Godzilla would make snarky - though played straight for the character - remarks about the film and franchise, end up trashing his chair and then biting down on the movie reels.
Belushi had previously played Godzilla in an SNL skit with Gilda Radner as "Baba Wawa" (a broad parody of Barbara Walters), treated as though the fictional monster were an actor in his own films. Given the amount of classic horror/monster parodies on the first five years of SNL, it seems possible that Belushi was a Godzilla fan.
The broadcast was an hour long, requiring the movie to have half its 81 minute runtime cut.
Availability
These bumpers were only shown along this original broadcast, which was only rerun once or twice soon after the first one, and have not been seen since.
Trivia
During those promos/bumpers, Belushi ends up repeating a common Godzilla film fallacy, promising that Godzilla vs. Megalon will not be like his other films. Among the ones he cites is "Godzilla Vs. Rodan." While the pteranodon-like Kaiju and Godzilla have fought several times, there has never been a film by this title, making it seem like a "lost Godzilla film" all by itself.
Gallery
Newspaper excerpt of airing and synopsis of the broadcast.
Excerpt of the special from David Kalat's book "A Critical History and Filmography of Toho's Godzilla Series, 2d Ed."
