08.20.2015: Ultra-Mess with August Ragone

Kaiju historian August Ragone chats with Kyle about the ongoing battle between Tsuburaya Productions & Thailand’s Chaiyo. [Photo by David Eric Dopko]In this episode, we welcome back tokusatsu historian and author of Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters, August Ragone. I actually recorded this chat with August back in May but with “all of the things” I haven’t had the time to edit the interview… until now that is. Attention, Kaiju Corps! If you were fascinated by the interview with Brad Warner about his time working at Tsuburaya Productions Co. and the ongoing legal troubles that Ultraman’s studio has been having with a Thai company named Chaiyo, you’ll want to listen to this one. August and I dive deep into the history and speculation on this ridiculous battle for the rights to the super space cop from Nebula M78. MINOR MUSICAL MENTIONS: 1. Title B by Kunio Miyauchi from Ultraman (1966) 2. Human Specimens 5 & 6 by Kunio Miyauchi from Ultraman (1966) SUGGESTED READING: Chaiyo’s 5/12 Press Conference [Realmcast] [The Tokusatsu Network] Ultraman Lawsuit over film & YouTube rights [Hollywood Reporter] UMC’s website Chaiyo’s Ultraman Forever website (2013) Chaiyo’s Ultraman “Official” website (2015) SUGGESTED LISTENING: Episode #141 Behind the Booska with Brad Warner The Kaiju Kingdom Podcast #30 Hollywood Ultra Hey, check out August and my Commentary for Godzilla vs. Monster Zero recorded live at G-Fest XXII! DAIKAIJU DISCUSSION: Don’t forget to submit your homework for The Monster X Strikes Back/Attack the G8 Summit (2008) to be included in the next discussion episode – the deadline is in just a few days!