Welcome to Plan9Crunch. Today we are sharing two short reviews; films we may explore in greater detail later. The first, see poster above, is "Cozzilla," or Godzilla 1977. It's an Italian version from direcor Luigi Cozzi. Toho is not thrilled with it but it's a lot of fun, and was a success in Italy.
Plan9Crunch friend, author Rob Craig, sent us a DVD of this film, from DVD-R Party. It uses "Godzilla: King of the Monsters," as its template (although one scene from "Godzilla Raids Again" is included). Cozzi added color to appeal to Italian audiences. According to Craig, this was done by having translucent gel laid over film frames. Cozzi edited out some scenes and inserted World War II newsreel footage. Also, electronic music was provided by Fabio Frizzi, who later composed Zombi 2, added Craig.
I love this film version of Godzilla. I've seen it three times. It has the same psychedelic appeal of "Godzilla Versus the Smog Monster." The inclusion of the newsreel footage, which of course includes civilian casualties of war, is extremely sobering. It adds a higher amount of depth to the film. Godzilla seems an even greater killing machine. This increases the emotional punch of Dr. Serizawa's self sacrifice at the end.
You can catch "Cozzilla" on the Internet Archive, or order a DVD copy at DVD-R Party.
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Our second review is of a pre-code Warren William drama called "Bedside," from 1934 (see poster above). Warren made a fortune playing likable cads in these early sound films. He is a major-league cad in this film, worse than usual, but still likeable, darn it!
Warren outdoes himself in being a charlatan, swindler and heartbreaker. He's an X-Ray technician whom a nurse (Jean Muir) loves. She loans him money to finish med school (he needs one more year). Warren loses all the money gambling and lies -- from afar -- to her. Warren eventually buys (extorts) a medical degree from a disgraced doctor. He goes to the big city and through his charm achieves fame and riches as a doctor (with the help of PR man (Allen Jenkins). But another doctor (Donald Meek) does all the work.
Invariably, Warren is forced to do a real operation, one that will affect Muir's life. I'll stop there. This is a pretty creative tale. Warren's "doctor" character reminds me of Burt Lancaster's creation of "man of God" preacher Elmer Gantry. This film pops up occasionally on Turner Classic Movies.
We hope you enjoy these films.Stay tuned to our Plan9Crunch YouTube page where will discuss the 2025 horror film "Sinners." It will likely air in early September.
-- Reviews by Doug Gibson
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