Monster Study Group

It’s the “Son of...Summer!” Monster Study Group is back beginning June 19.

It’s a Monsterland Ohio Radio/SasWhat reunion, as I welcome my son Andy to MSG for a discussion of Halloween horror movies and the fun of spending the 31st of October in front of the TV. Thanks for listening to all of Season One!

Season One of Monster Study Group, “Titans of Japan,” comes to a dramatic close with episode ten, devoted to “Frankenstein Conquers the World” and “War of the Gargantuas,” two of Toho’s most audacious monster movies. As always, full credit goes to G-FAN magazine, the official publication of the Godzilla Society of North America. Visit g-fan.com to learn more. This is the last episode to post befor...

Episode Ten offers an in-depth look at “Ghidrah, the Three-Headed Monster,” as well as an overview and filmography of the character. That is preceded by a brief rundown of Mill Creek Entertainment’s Ultraman releases. Ep. 10 draws on articles from G-FAN magazine; visit g-fan.com for more information. Monster Study Group is on Twitter & Instagram. Be the first to send a message to monsterstudygroup...

Mothra changed the game in 1961, nudging Toho’s monster movies in the direction of fantasy and fun. With 16 films under her wings, second only to Godzilla himself, her place in monster movie history is firmly established. This episode provides an overview of the kaiju queen, looking back at the original 1961 epic, going behind the scenes of its making and summarizing the original story treatment....

In Episode 8, I didn’t get a chance to talk about Rodan’s ‘career,’ especially his star turn in 2019’s “Godzilla King of the Monsters.” So here’s a quick extra credit session to cover those bases. Enjoy! And please check out g-fan.com for more kaiju coverage.

Episode 8 of Monster Study Group is devoted to Rodan! (In the original Japanese title, the creature named is Radon, as in PteRAnaDON. Get it?) While the flying monster(s) is often assigned second-fiddle status, its 1956 film is extremely important. Not only was it the first ‘kaiju eiga’ to be filmed in color, but it was also the first to be shown in North America with an all-Japanese cast (dubbed,...

It’s hard to overstate the influence of 1933’s “King Kong.” But this episode isn’t about that film. It’s about the two movies produced by Toho Studios that imported and featured the great ape: “King Kong vs. Godzilla” and “King Kong Escapes.” These are some of the most freewheeling giant monster movies you’ll ever lay eyes on; that may begin to explain their continuing influence. Episode 7 feature...

Episode Six is all about Showa Era Gamera! All the Gamera films are reviewed, from 1965 to 1980. The relationship between Gamera and Mystery Science Theater 3000 is discussed. Then, thanks to G-FAN magazine, we hear from Showa Gamera director Noriaki Yuasa. Please visit g-fan.com and look for Monster Study Group on Twitter and Instagram. Write me at monsterstudygroup@outlook.com You can hear Mark...

In this Extra Credit Episode, we follow up on Ep. 5 with a summary presentation of writer Shigeru Kayama’s original Godzilla story, which was adapted as a screenplay by Takeo Murata and Ishiro Honda. The text first appeared in G-FAN #12. Please visit g-fan.com for more information about the Godzilla Society of North America! And, look for Monster Study Group on Twitter and Instagram.

Episode Five takes an in-depth look at the elements that make the original 1954 “Godzilla” so unique, specific, and influential. At the top of the show, I talk about things going on in my connection with Small Town Monsters, including the publication of a book, “Making Monsters.” I also tease a collaboration in the works with the awesome podcast “Monster Kid Radio.” Then, it’s onto Godzilla, a fil...

This Special Edition of Monster Study Group is a presentation of the article “Abominable Snowman: Honda’s Hidden Gem” by Peter H. Brothers. It was published in G-FAN magazine issue # 69. To learn more about G-FAN please visit g-fan.com. Feel free to send your correspondence to monsterstudygroup@outlook.com and look for us on Twitter & Instagram.

This is Monster Study Group’s first ‘Extra Credit’ episode. It is the transcript of an interview with Yoshimitsu Banno, director of “Godzilla vs. Hedorah/the Smog Monster,” published in G-FAN # 73 as “The Man Who Made Godzilla Fly.” For more exclusive interviews and behind-the scenes information, please visit g-fan.com today! Check out Monster Study Group on Twitter: @MonsterStudy Instagram: monst...

Japanese monster movies and cryptozoology are inextricably linked. Allow me to explain...This episode takes a look at Loren Coleman’s book “Bigfoot! The True Story of Apes in America.” Then we look back at a film from 1958 called “Half Human” and it’s Japanese antecedent “Beastman Snowman” (1955). What’s the connection? Listen in and find out—and find us on Twitter & Instagram and write us at mons...

It’s Monster Study Group’s first ‘normal’ session! The topic is Toho’s Champion Festival, a film festival for children that ran from 1969 to 1978. Understanding the Champion Festival helps give context to the Godzilla films of the 1970s. You’ll hear about two books, “Ultraman Testimony” and “Pure Invention;” the first episode of “Return of Ultraman;” 1971’s “Godzilla vs. Hedorah/the Smog Monster;”...

On this introductory episode, Mark talks about the experiences that formed him into a Monster Kid, Monster Dad, and Monster Scribe and Podcaster. He also talks about why this seems to be the right time to launch a new show devoted to Giant Monsters, Japanese Superheroes, and Cryptozoological Creatures. You’ll also hear his ideas about the format of future episodes of Monster Study Group. Please le...