Who really is Godzilla?

Godzilla is arguably the most famous monster on the big screen throughout the world. His box office earnings have topped those of mega stars like Tom Hanks, John Wayne, Katherine Hepburn and Pee Wee Herman. Yet very little is known about this ultra private phenom. Thanks to some deep research by yours truly and some former studio executives now willing to talk, Tidbits of Truth offers you a bit of insight into the scaly big fellow.

Godzilla was born Saul Rabinowitz on the north side of the Bronx in a quiet area called Riverdale in 1931. He grew up an only child to Glen and Nadia Rabinowitz who owned a Smoke Shop on 259th Street. Not much is know about young Saul's childhood except a few stories still told in the old neighborhood about a mischievous lad who could burp fireballs and liked to torch the hems on the Rabbi's winter coat.

Saul attended the Herman Schwartz Hebrew Academy in Queens as a teenager. His growing size made riding the subway difficult, and Saul soon took to hitching a ride atop Elliot Hellenberg's cabbage truck each morning to get to class. Not wanting to pass up on a good opportunity, the Rabbi at the Academy quickly formed the schools first football team, "The Fighting Torahs", with Saul as their star player. Although peaceful at heart, Saul lived up to their expectations and, in his senior year, the Academy defeated Upper Long Island in the Championship Game 133 to 0. The city then disbanded the Academy's team due to the number of fatalities suffered during the eight game season.

Saul always had a love for the theater. Every chance he had he would sneak into the city and catch a glimpse of a Broadway show. Shortly after graduation he landed an union gig moving scenery at The Palace Theatre. It was here that the great director, Gus Hindstep, discovered Saul and gave him the part of The Errand Boy in "Soldiers Don't Dance". Uta Hagen was so taken by the young actor that she offered to tudor him in the Method technique.

Saul then spent the next two years studying in the city with fellow students like Marlon Brando and Tony Curtis, until one day a Casting Agent from Japan happen to be dining at Sardi's and saw young Saul crossing the street. Disgusted with the service, he darted out the restaurant and chased down Saul offering him the part of a giant monster. Against the advice of Uta and Tony, Saul took the offer and went to Japan.

The first film took over two months to shoot. Film acting was new to Saul. His poor timing during the stomping scenes made it difficult to find extras, and Saul was horrible at remembering his lines. The location too was quite difficult. Monster Island at the time was not the resort spot it is today, and drunken sailors often wondered onto the set. The Mayor of Tokyo was reluctant to allow the destruction the producers wanted, but some saki and girls soon changed his mind. In the end, everyone felt they had something special.

The film was first released under the title of "Hank", which was Saul's monster name. Critics took no notice and Catholics were bored. Studio heads quickly regrouped, had Saul changed his name to Godzilla (Latin meaning: Sweet Potato), and re-released to film to glowing kudos. Saul Rabinowitz instantly became a hidden past as the studio's PR offices built a whole new background for Godzilla on Monster Island.

From here we all know the story. The film franchise was and is a big hit. Godzilla retired from the films in 1989, and gladly gave his blessings to the young actor Teddy Brehm to take over the role in resent films. Godzilla now lives a quiet life in Boca Raton where he enjoys golf and visits with his old boozing buddy Burt Reynolds. Except for an occasional appearance, like his Emmy nominated guest spot on "Will & Grace", Godzilla seems content relaxing under the Florida sunshine. Like most old actors, he seems happy with his celluloid immortality.