Written By: Ken HulseyThis past weekend I posted an article that was very well received about classic monster movie posters so I have decided to turn the subject into a series of features here at Monster Island News. The only problem is .... where do I start? There are so many awesome sci fi, horror and monster movie posters out there it is hard to pinpoint just where to begin.
That's when it hit me.
As our very own Armand Vaquer noted in a couple of great pieces a few of weeks back this month marks the 40th anniversary of the release of "Godzilla vs Hedorah" in Japan so I figured this was as good a place to start as any.
To the left is one of the original Japanese adds for the film. As you probably have noticed the poster is rather tall and narrow. These "skinny" posters were displayed in Japanese theaters alongside standard sized ones to promote the film. As is typical of these posters this one contains giant sized lettering and a small graphic of the monsters at the bottom.
Here is a collection of "Godzilla vs Hedorah" posters, lobby cards, and promotional photos from around the globe:
Japan
Where better to start off this gallery than in the film's country of origin. Here is the original artwork for "Godzilla vs Hedorah" circa 1971.
Above are four Japanese promotional photos that would have been released to magazines and newspapers.
United States
Here in America the film was released under the title "Godzilla vs The Smog Monster". This is the poster that was featured in theaters during that release.
A promotional photo for American magazines and newspapers.
An "add slick" for "Godzilla vs The Smog Monster" for newspapers.Italy
You really have to love this Italian poster. Strangely Godzilla has been replaced by a T-Rex.
Likewise in this companion poster Godzilla has been replaced by not just one dinosaur but two.
This lobby card features not only Godzilla and Hedorah but the Korean movie monster Yongary as well. Many foreign movie posters and lobby cards for Godzilla films often times feature monsters not in the movies themselves. Most often times it's Gamera who appears in these adds.
Poland
Most Polish Godzilla posters look like they are adds for The Beatles "Yellow Submarine". This one features Hedorah inside Godzilla's silhouette.Germany
A German variation on the original Japanese poster art. The most obvious thing that stands out about this poster is the name "Frankenstein". Oddly all such German promotional materials for the films in the Godzilla movie series feature the names "Frankenstein" and "King Kong".
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