Written By Ken HulseyAs many of you know, I’m a huge Godzilla enthusiast, so I thought it was about time to highlight a classic that’s been long overdue on Retro Saturday Morning. We're talking about an American cartoon that features Japan's most iconic monster, Godzilla! Back in 1978, Hanna-Barbera—famous for beloved shows like The Flintstones and The Jetsons—decided to create its own animated series featuring this legendary creature. This project, dubbed **Godzilla Power Hour**, not only spotlighted Godzilla but also featured the adventure series Jana of the Jungle. It made its debut on NBC on September 9, 1978, and ran in various formats until 1981.
Interestingly, Godzilla was enjoying a resurgence in popularity in the United States during the late 1970s, which led to a major marketing push and a plethora of merchandise featuring this colossal character. Kids of my generation were absolutely thrilled by it all! Many Americans first encountered Godzilla when NBC aired a heavily edited version of the movie *Godzilla vs. Megalon* during prime time. To add a fun twist, the show was hosted by comedian John Belushi, who donned a Godzilla suit and told jokes after the commercial breaks.
That same year, Marvel Comics jumped on the bandwagon by publishing their own comic book series titled *Godzilla: King of the Monsters.* The merchandise wave didn’t stop there—it included puzzles, coloring books, View-Master reels, action figures, playsets, and even the iconic giant Shogun Warriors figure that shot off its own hand! It was clear that a cartoon series was a natural next step.
This animated series followed the adventures of the crew on the marine exploration ship **Calico**, who had an uncanny knack for stumbling upon giant monsters for Godzilla to battle. Each time the scientists found themselves in a predicament, they would push a red button on a peculiar control device, and voilà—Godzilla would emerge from the ocean to save the day! However, the show never quite explained how the Calico crew obtained this device or how they managed to summon Godzilla, leaving fans with some delightful mysteries.
Hanna-Barbera gave Godzilla an interesting twist by altering his design to make him look more dinosaur-like, complete with the ability to shoot laser beams from his eyes—almost reminiscent of Superman! To add a touch of humor and appeal to younger viewers, they introduced a new character: Godzooky, originally meant to be Godzilla's nephew. Interestingly, Godzooky had wings and the ability to fly, a trait that contrasted sharply with Godzilla’s magnificent, but grounded, persona. This little creature often found himself in trouble and relied on Godzilla to swoop in and rescue him, providing plenty of comedic moments.
As for how the series came to be, Joseph Barbera himself shared some insights during a 1990s interview. He explained, “My job back then was to dig up new characters, new ideas, new shows, and I had wanted to do Godzilla for a while. I liked the monster thing, and the way it looked, and I thought we could do a lot with it. So I contacted Henry Saperstein, who was a very good friend, and we got talking about it. Then there was an executive at the network who wanted to get involved and encouraged us to lighten up the storyline. That’s when I came up with the character of Godzooky, who was like Godzilla's son.”
So there you have it! A fascinating blend of creativity, nostalgia, and a myriad of adventures defined the *Godzilla Power Hour,* making it a cherished part of many childhoods.
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