"Gorgo" Coming To Blu-ray

A classic giant monster movie will be seeing a Blu-ray release from VCI in the not-too-distant future.

Gorgo!

According to a source connected with VCI, they will be making the Gorgo Blu-ray from a new HD 1080P transfer from either the 35mm negative or master positive, supposedly found in a "salt mine" storage facility in Kansas.

The 1961 movie was directed by Eugène Lourié and starred William Sylvester (who appeared seven years later as Dr. Heywood Floyd in 2001: A Space Odyssey) and Bill Travers.

The movie is about a prehistoric monster that was captured in Ireland and brought to London to be put on display at a circus. Much to the dismay of everyone, the monster was a baby and its angry mom is in hot pursuit, destroying everything in her path.

I have a DVD of Gorgo, but having a near-pristine print on Blu-ray would be terrific. I first saw Gorgo during its initial theatrical run in a double-feature with Babes In Toyland.

VCI is looking to release Gorgo just before Halloween.

"Gorgo" Released 50 Years Ago

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the U.S. release of the giant monster movie, Gorgo.

It was on March 29, 1961 that "England's answer to Godzilla" was put into general release around the country.

The story: A giant dinosaur-like monster is captured off the coast of Ireland. It is taken to Piccadilly Circus in London, England for exhibition as "Gorgo."

What people weren't aware of, until it was too late, the monster was a baby. Gorgo's mother appears in Ireland and then follows its scent and attacks London to retrieve her offspring in superb Japanese-style suitmation and miniature work.



Gorgo starred William Sylvester and Bill Travers. It was directed by Eugene Lourie.

I remember seeing Gorgo at the Rio Theater (located at Western Ave. and Imperial Highway in Los Angeles) with my cousins. It was paired with Babes In Toyland (the Annette Funicello/Frankie Avalon version, not the classic Laurel and Hardy one).