GAMERA THE INVINCIBLE, 1966 B&W
US planes intercept and down a Soviet bomber crossing the Arctic Circle. The When the bomber crashes in the ice a nuclear bomb explodes, releasing Gamera from the ice, witnessed by a research crew in a ship nearby, which is then destroyed. Immediately, Gamera flies to Japan. Yes, our giant turtle flies. Meanwhile in Japan, a boy’s love for his turtle is put to the test when his father and sister make him release the turtle and make human friends instead. Gamera sees this and saves boy from falling to his death. Apparently this is the start of Gamera’s love for children. The boy then transfers his strange turtle-love to Gamera. The military try to electrocute, shoot, blow up, burn, freeze, and burn him again. No luck. Finally Plan Z is set into motion. I would have used a different letter just in case it didn’t work; nothing shows lack of confidence the going to a plan AA. Maybe that’s just me though. And Plan Z…? Send him to Mars in a rocket. Favorite lines:
Soldier: “Look, he’s pulling his legs and head into his shell!”
Other Soldier: “That’s what they call ‘turning turtle’! Hahahahaha!” Ummm, I’m pretty sure that’s not what it means. Also, this is how Gamera flies.
News Reporter: “This is the scene at the airport where officials from all over the world are meeting.” Shows a plane landing.
News Reporter: “Meanwhile in other news…”
Scientist: “Aiyaki, go to Kawasaki. Miyaki is there.” You have to hear it out loud.
TEENAGERS FROM OUTER SPACE, 1959 B&W
Aliens land on Earth and place a gargan (lobster) to see if they can thrive. Hint: they can. Are they evil? You decide. One’s first act (Thor) upon landing is to disintegrate a dog. Another, Derrick, rebels against dooming the population and runs away. Thor is sent to retrieve him. Betty falls for him. A game of tag ensues where Thor seems to like his disintegration ray a bit too much. But Thor gets captured and Derrick uses the disintegrator to stop the shadow lobster…gargan. Then he kills their leader and all of the transports carrying more gargan. Ugh, an overly sentimental romp, made better by MST3k. Favorite lines:
Derrick: “…”
Betty: “You must be here to rent the room.”
Derrick: “…”
Betty: “Well, come on in then.”
Joe: “You know, I just don’t get this guy. Animal or human, he just seems to like killing.”