I am generally not too good about blogging about an event before it happens (check the 25-year gap between the Creation Convention I attended in 1985 and when I wrote about it last year). I do mean to be more timely. It just doesn't usually work out that way...
However, here's something I just HAD to write about beforehand. This coming Monday (April 4), That's Entertainment comic book store in Worcester (MA) is putting on a show at the Elm Draught House in Millbury (MA) called Godzilla Attacks Worcester. It is pretty short notice I know, but I just found out about it myself two days ago. I went to the Elm Draught House to see a movie on Tuesday. Afterwards I was chatting with the owner, who told me about this awesome sounding event. Details can be found on That's Entertainment's website (see above link) and their Facebook page, but I had not seen or heard anything about it myself until Tuesday night. Seems that the people at That's Entertainment have been looking into the possibility of putting on a show like this for some time and the release of the new comic book Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters (by IDW Publishing) gave them the opportunity to finally make it happen.
Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters is (from what I hear) the first appearance of Godzilla in a comic book in quite some time. Something to look forward to with this title is the fact that it is supposed to feature other Toho monsters (something earlier Godzilla comics couldn't do because of licensing issues or something). I bought the first issue yesterday when I went to That's Entertainment to pick up tickets (which are free) for Monday's show. I'm generally not much of a comic book buyer these days, but there was something very special about this one. Apparently (from what I learned by talking to a member of the store's staff) stores that ordered enough copies of the first issue could get a custom cover that features Godzilla's foot crashing down on that very same store! When I saw it I couldn't really NOT buy a copy for myself. Here's what it looks like:
Pretty cool stuff, huh?
As for the Godzilla Attacks Worcester show itself... It runs from 6:00-10:00 PM on Monday, April 4. Tickets are free, but have to be picked up in person (one per person) at That's Entertainment in Worcester, until they're gone. I don't know what the policy will be if all the tickets don't go. If people show up at the theater on Monday without tickets will they be turned away or let in? I don't have any idea. Luckily I picked up my two tickets yesterday morning when they became available, so I don't have to worry about that. The full title of the program is "Godzilla Attacks Worcester!: A Creature Double Feature!" This title obviously pays homage to the great old Saturday afternoon show Creature Double Feature, which was put on by WLVI channel 56 and seen by thousands of impressionable children in the greater Boston area in the 1970s and 80s. Godzilla movies were a frequent staple of the show and the program Monday will featuret "two of the greatest Godzilla movies". They aren't saying which ones until showtime (which adds to the excitement), but I'm definitely hoping they'll be from the classic catalog of Godzilla movies from the 1960s-70s. Many Godzilla movies have been produced in the 1980s, 90s and 2000s, but the older ones hold a dear place in this Monster Dad's heart. I suppose another possibility could be showing one older one and one newer one, but I digress... Between the movies there will be more entertainment, including a raffle and Godzilla short films. All-in-all, it sounds like a fantastic evening of fun for anyone into Godzilla, comic books and/or Creature Double Feature! Also, it's being touted as family-friendly, so bringing the monster-loving kids along shouldn't be a problem. And the price (FREE!) can't be beat!
The Elm Draught House is located at 35 Elm Ct., Millbury, MA. It's only a few minutes from Worcester and a great old place itself. I've been meaning to blog about it for a long time and have managed to put that off for way too long. The theater is in an old church that was converted to a movie theater back in the 1940s or 50s. They feature one movie a week on the single screen. the films are generally second-run titles, and it only cost $5.00 (yes, FIVE BUCKS) to get in! They also run New England Patriots games and some Red Sox games, and have been running an occasional live comedy show for a while now. Not only is it a great price and a great independent atmosphere (a great break from the cookie-cutter megaplexes and their prices, but they have a great selection of food too. Pizza (with various toppings), burgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, nachos and even taquitos among the menu options. When I get the chance to go to the Elm I always get the same thing: a cheese pizza, medium popcorn and medium Pepsi. Add in the price of the ticket and all of that costs me only $13.50! For only a couple bucks more than the big chain theaters are charging for tickets I can get both dinner AND a movie!
Okay, I suppose this information belongs in the long-put-off Elm Draught House blog. Suffice to say, it's a great place. The theater is usually closed on Mondays--thus the fact that Godzilla Attacks Worcester is being run on a Monday--of all days. I guess that's all the information I have so far. I will (try to) write a follow-up blog after the show to report how it all went down. I'm hoping for a well-attended show full of monsters and fun! See you there (I hope)!
