With the new block buster Godzilla reboot hitting theatres all over the world this week and already grossing just under 100 million bucks on its opening day, did you know that the greatest post atomic city stomping beasty once starred in his own is a 30-minute animated series on telly.
Back in 1978 Hanna-Barbara Productions, Yep those guys responsible for The Flintstones, The Jetsons and Yogi Bear, Co-produced a animated series with Godzilla’s creator company Toho and aired it on NBC in the United States and TV Tokyo in Japan.
The series was an animated adaptation of the Japanese Godzilla films produced by Toho. The series continued to air until 1981, for a time airing in its own half-hour timeslot until its cancellation.
The series follows the adventures of a team of scientists on the Calico, a hydrofoil research vessel, headed by Captain Carl Majors. The rest of the crew include scientist Dr. Quinn Darien, her nephew Pete, her research assistant Brock, and the ship's first mate, Carl.
The crew of the research vessel, the Calico at one point rescue Godzooky, the young cousin of the mighty giant monster, Godzilla. Pete and the cowardly Godzooky become best friends. Godzooky provides a light hearted role in the show with his attempts to fly using the small wings under his arms and trying to breathe fire, usually resulting in coughs of smoke. Godzooky to me is kinda like the Scooby-Doo of this gang, he can't talk, but Pete best friend understands him.
Apparently, a pact was made that if the crew took care of the little guy, Godzilla would help if they needed him. As it turns out, this was a most fortuitous thing, because in the voyages of the Calico, they investigate mysteries that all too often lead to run-ins with dangerous giant beasts. With no way to battle the beasts themselves, the crew, either through a special signalling device or Godzooky calling himself, can summon Godzilla seemingly from anywhere around the world to confront the menace at hand.
Godzilla's size in the animated series shifts radically, sometimes within a single episode or even one scene. For instance, Godzilla's claw can wrap around a large ship, and only minutes later the team of scientists fit rather neatly on Godzilla's palm. In addition, Godzilla's trademark atomic breath is altered so he breathes simple fire. He can also shoot laser beams from his eyes much like Superman's heat vision. Each episode would include a brief exposition on a scientific instrument or phenomenon, thus providing an educational segment for the show.
Hanna-Barbara was unable to use Godzilla's trademark roar so they cast Ted Cassidy to voice the character, similar to his role in the live-action series The Incredible Hulk.
The basic formula of a scientific team and research vessel in league with Godzilla investigating strange phenomena was revived in another cartoon, Godzilla: The Series, which acts as an animated sequel to the horrible 1998 Godzilla film so really isn’t Godzilla at all so don’t bother.
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