Rodan With The Wingspan. "Rodan" was one of my first Kaiju Movie experiences. I remember seeing it on TV as a kid in the very early '80s and being terribly saddened by the volcanic conclusion, Rodan not a malicious creature of destruction, but an ancient being awoken in a modern world that cannot accomodate both him and his mate. Movies from Toho, Toei, and Daeiei were very accessible on TV and inexpensive VHS and Betamax during that time -- the studios/rights holders have since really tightened their grips on their properties -- which was key in securing a devoted Stateside audience, particularly kids. I'd learn years later -- like a lot of people, I suspect -- that I've been pronouncing Rodan's name incorrectly as ROW-dan rather than the intended Roh-DAN (like the French sculptor), but I just can't bring myself to make the change. It's like renaming a beloved family pet.
