7.7.15
Over the weekend I revamped my Godzilla room when I decided to open the old box of a battery-operated Godzilla figure. To my great surprise and relief I found my first Godzilla figure that I thought was lost forever. Several weeks ago I was thinking about the figure. I never remember throwing it away but there was a time I parted with a portion of my collection. There it was, the vintage Godzilla King of the Monsters Bendy Figure by GLJ Toy Co., released in 1978.
Godzilla King of the Monsters Bendy Figure by GLJ Toy Co., 1978
Despite its shortcomings, imperfections, and green color, I will always cherish it. It animated my imaginations recreating those memorable monster battles made famous by Godzilla. In those days Japanese imports were not readily available. It was 1978 when I entered Kiddie City in Center City Philadelphia with my best friend Eric and his mom, Mrs. Regina. As we were looking around checking out Star Wars figures I found the Mattel Shogun-Warrior Godzilla. I was blown away but couldn’t afford it. But beside it was the 5-inch rubber Godzilla. That was within my budget! It was my first Godzilla figure, but not my last. It was the start of years of collecting and growing up Godzilla.