I just saw Godzilla Minus One in the theater last night and I really loved this 2023 version. 

It brought back memories of the original Godzilla and immediately my mind went to “Mothra” – which I like really for only one reason.  Japanese girl duo The Peanuts.  They are not only featured as Mothra’s tiny fairies, but they also sing the title song “Mosura no uta”, which is so catchy and memorable to me, that of course I started collecting them too. Emi and Yumi Ito (no relation to Jerry) have some of the best album pictures, incredible harmonies, and great foreign girl group material – especially of American cover covers and Christmas songs.

The original “Mothra” from 1961 is still a fun movie for me, especially the scenes with The Peanuts.  I have the original soundtrack (which is basically a recording of the entire movie) on a 1984 Japanese double LP release.  The most interesting thing about this LP is the big 28”x22” poster it came with, where The Peanuts are painted as not even REMOTELY Asian!  They look more middle eastern or dark-haired Anglo in this unique portrait poster of them.  What a collectible!  Additionally, it has a different version of the formally released “Mothra Song” along with “The Infant Girl” and “Mothra Call 1 and 2” all by The Peanuts (and background cast members).  Listen here: 

But I digress.  Back to Mr. Ito and enter “Godzillafest” in 2004 at the Castro Theater in San Francisco with special guests including Jerry himself and Russ Tamblyn (the Godzilla connection is tenuous – and I’ll get to him later). 

I was there primarily to meet Russ Tamblyn but then I saw that Jerry was signing this photo of him with The Peanuts and voila!