Godzilla

Godzilla is a long running (1954- ) Japanese monster movieseries about a gigantic dinosaur-like monster who attacks Japan. The original three films were respectable horror films, but during the 1960s and 1970s the franchise became increasingly cheap, surrealistic, infantile and silly. In the 1980s and beyond the series were given new fresh energy and Godzilla was restyled as the original indestructable monster he was before.

Godzilla became so popular that other studios tried to make similar monster films, like Gamera and Gorgo.

In 1998 an American remake was made, "Godzilla", which had nothing to do with the original films and disappointed many fans.

References

Ahmet Zappa's third name, "Rodan", is a reference to the Japanese movie monster Rodan. This is a pterodactyl who often fights Godzilla.

Gary Panter drew The Smog Monster from the film "Godzilla Vs. The Smog Monster" (or "Godzilla vs. Hedorah") (1971) on the cover of Sleep Dirt.

Godzilla is referenced in Zappa's song Jesus Thinks You're A Jerk.