by August » Wed Mar 21, 2007 10:23 pm
I didn't bother watching more than two seconds of that originally posted GODZILLA trailer, and assumed that it was the Simitar version, not the Vestron version. My bad. I had several 16mm TV trailers (called "Spots") for GKOTM (and other films) that I picked up at conventions in the late '70s and early '80s, as well as several 35mm theatrical trailers, including GKOTM (which was pristine when I purchased it from Hollywood Book & Poster in 1979).
The TV Spots come in 10, 20, 30 and 60 second versions (generally), and there can be different types of Theatrical Trailers, such as Teasers, Combos (which feature the co-feature package or packages available), etc. As an example, I have a 35mm Theatrical Teaser for GODZILLA 1985, which has the "In the 1950s, he was a bigger star than James Dean," etc. cards, then it cuts to Godzilla roaring and announcing that Godzilla is back and better than ever! I haven't seen it run through a projector in YEARS. It would make a great supplement if someone is ever able to release GODZILLA 1985 on home video...
Unfortunately, I have never seen any kind of excellent presentation of these trailers on compilation DVDs. It's too bad that some of this material (i.e. movie trailers) hasn't been properly archived, stored or presented. There are no negative or interpositives to strike new prints from -- even the Deluxe Edition James Bond DVDs used trailers from private collectors (one of them is a friend who is a Spy Movie nut who gave them the TV trailers for the double-feature release of DR. NO and GOLDFINGER -- at the time, MGM didn't have any of these in their archives!).
August Ragone
Showa GAMERA Special Features Producer
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