1954-75: Showa series – theLogBook.com

Gojira

Gojira! The first Godzilla movie, Gojira, debuts in Japan. Directed by Ishiro Honda and starring Akira Takarada, Momoko Kochi and Akihiko Hirata, the film is intended to be an allegory to the ravages of the atomic bomb rather than the beginning of a franchise (though the door is clearly left open to a sequel by dialogue at the close of the movie). The franchise proper will not begin until the first sequel five years later. In the meantime, an American dub of the movie attracts worldwide attention to Gojira, eventually rechristening the character Godzilla for much of the world.

Godzilla, King Of The Monsters!

The first Godzilla movie, Gojira, is re-released in America, dubbed into English with additional scenes starring actor Raymond Burr, as Godzilla, King Of The Monsters! Despite the quite noticeable differences between old footage and new, the movie proves popular, and sparks the western world’s obsession with Toho Studios’ signature creation. It is also just the first of several attempts to westernize the Godzilla mythos (chiefly for American audiences).

Godzilla Raids Again

Toho Studios release the first Godzilla movie sequel, Godzilla Raids Again, directed by Motoyoshi Oda. (Significant alterations to the movie, including a different title, will be made for its eventual U.S. release.)

King Kong vs. Godzilla

Godzilla Raids Again Toho Studios release the third Godzilla movie, King Kong vs. Godzilla, directed by Inoshiro Honda. This is the first Godzilla film in color. (Once again, the movie undergoes significant changes for its later American release.)