Gamera! You are strong Gamera! But are you strong enough to resist attacking Tokyo while under the power of an alien with a remote control? Only one way to find out. Watch the fanged but friendly giant turtle in “Destroy All Planets,” on the big screen at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences on First Friday, March 4, 7 p.m. Come on, space monsters, bring it on!
When a group of aliens head for Earth with the intentions of conquering it, their first ship is destroyed by the giant, friendly flying turtle Gamera. After a second ship makes it to Earth, the alien passengers take two Boy Scouts hostage to keep Gamera at bay, then implant a remote control device into the monster's neck and make him attack Tokyo. The Boy Scouts soon earn their Alien Rescue badge by fouling up the remote so that Gamera does the opposite of what he is ordered to. As a result Gamera destroys the alien’s ship, but then has to contend with their giant squid-like leader, Viras.
This 1968 film (aka “Gamera vs Viras”) is the fourth in a series of Japanese kaiju (“strange beast”) films featuring the fire-breathing turtle. Gamera was introduced by Daiei Motion Pictures to battle the success of Toho Studio’s Godzilla movies, but the big terrapin eventually gained fame and notoriety as a Japanese icon in his own right, also appearing in video games and comic books. In the United States, Gamera attained prominence during the 1970s due to the burgeoning popularity of UHF television stations featuring Saturday afternoon matinee showcases like “Creature Double Feature” and later in the 1990s when several Gamera films were featured on the TV show “Mystery Science Theater 3000.”
One actor note: The character of Boy Scout Jim Morgan was (then) 11-year old Carl Craig’s only acting job, but he grew up to become a U.S. Air Force pilot, and later was an advisor on the staff of U.S. President George Bush. Whether he advised “Bush 41” about oversized reptiles or alien squid remains unknown.
Prior to the movie, and for the last time before it’s gone (March 27), explore the surprising and sometimes bizarre world of “Extreme Mammals,” the Museum’s current featured exhibition, in which you can inspect oversized claws, massive fangs, extraordinary snouts, amazing horns and other traits that make mammals truly remarkable. All tickets purchased at the Museum Box Office during First Friday hours are only $10. Tickets are free for Museum members. The exhibition is open until 8 p.m.; last entry 7 p.m.
Teens! Join us at 6 p.m. in the Daily Planet Café for this month’s Teen Science Café — “The Bone Detective.” When homicide investigations come up empty and cold cases need solving, bone detective Dr. Ann Ross gets the call. Forensic anthropologists like Ross study the bones of the deceased in order to determine how that person died. In this Teen Science Café, Ross, co-director of the Forensic Sciences Institute at N.C. State University, will discuss the science of forensics and her involvement in solving mysterious murder cases. Open to all teens; no RSVP needed. Free food vouchers to the first 50 teens to arrive.
The Museum stays open from 5 to 9 p.m. on the First Friday of every month, inviting visitors to witness a (classic) sci-fi or horror movie on the big screen, wander through eye-catching exhibits, groove to live music with Fish Dad and enjoy snacks and beverages from the Daily Planet Café. Additionally, the Museum Store offers after-hours shopping (till 7 p.m.) and an opening reception for Mike Basher (6–8 p.m.), whose show “Elements,” runs March 4–27 in the Nature Art Gallery. All exhibited art is for sale.