Mystery Monday & Sci Fi Monday This is my grown-up version of the classic, The Third Eye but
rather than focus on the supernatural I prefer mysteries and science fiction.
In this series I alternate between traditional mysteries and science fiction
films mostly from the ‘50’s and ‘60’s.
For those of you who grew up
watching Nickelodeon in the very early 1980’s you may remember “Bambi Meets
Godzilla” from a number of different airings. At times it was shown in between
programs, it was also seen on Livewire’s festival of short films and again on
Turkey Television. But no matter where you saw this short film you will
remember it as you watch it from the link provided.
First created in 1969 Marv Newland Bambi Meets Godzilla was listed as #38
in the book The 50 Greatest Cartoons in 1994.
Originally scheduled as a
live-action film Newland abandoned the idea when he lost an essential magic
hour shot and settled for an animation version instead.
When we first meet Bambi he
is peacefully grazing in a small patch of
grass as “Call to the Dairy Cows” from Rossini's opera William Tell (1829)
plays in the background. As the credits scroll by he hasn’t a care in the world
until he looks up to see Godzilla's foot coming down, crushing him with The
Beatles' "A Day in the Life" played at half-speed. After a moment,
the closing credits scroll over the image of Godzilla's foot. At the very end,
Godzilla's claws twitch once.
Screenings & Distribution
This cartoon prefaced
Godzilla 1985 on some VHS releases. Two sequels were later made without
Newland's involvement: Son of Bambi Meets Godzilla and Bambi's Revenge, giving
Godzilla a hot foot.
References
Beck, Jerry (ed.) (1994). The
50 Greatest Cartoons: As Selected by 1,000 Animation Professionals. Atlanta:
Turner Publishing. ISBN 1-878685-49-X.
Directed by
– Marv Newland
Produced by
– Marv Newland Written by
– Marv Newland Cinematography – Marv Newland
