Hirshhorn Museum’s ‘Summer Camp’ film festival stars Godzilla

May 29, 4:35 PMDC Art Travel ExaminerMarsha Dubrow

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Vintage "Godzilla" poster

Good God, Godzilla goes to Washington.

The Hirshhorn's ever-popular “Summer Camp” free film series, starring "Godzilla" this year, begins June 11 at the otherwise esteemed Smithsonian museum.

“The original beastie boy, Godzilla, returns!” the museum roared in a press release. “Experience this selective ‘career survey’ of the large lizard with back story insights from film scholar David Wilt.” Wilt wrote the book “Hardboiled in Hollywood”.

I’ll let the Hirshhorn speak for itself and Godzilla:

Thursday, June 11, 7 p.m.
"Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah" (1991)
The arrival of a UFO corresponds with the awakening of you-know-who in his oceanic lair. He's evolved from Godzillasaurus and revitalized by nuclear power that he sucked out of a 1970s Soviet sub. Don't ask how the winged, three-headed Elvis fits into the story. Skewed time travel, odd national politics, and plot hiccups may be a tad confusing, but the extreme monster-on-monster action is well worth it!

Thursday, June 18, 7 p.m.
"Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster" (1966)
Ryota's search for his lost-at-sea brother lands him washed up on a dangerous island inhabited by a giant crustacean, Ebriah, and a suspicious organization, the Red Bamboo. He enlists the help of Godzilla, who is sleeping off the traumatic battles with King Ghidorah, by awakening him with a lightning rod. Can the sea monster be dashed into subordinate claws? Can 'Zilla lick the 'Boo and make the giant lobster roll?

Thursday, June 25, 7 p.m.
"Godzilla 2000" (1999)
The Gangsta Lizard takes on the Godzilla Prediction Network and the Crisis Control Intelligence agency, neither of which, despite over fifty years of attacks, have noted that standard artillery is useless. A new adversary joins the action when, inadvertently CCI awakens a long-dormant UFO. You may be able to guess who wins out, but you will never guess why in this dubbed masterpiece.”

And Instead of guessing why the Hirshhorn elevated Godzilla, I asked them. Here’s what they said: “Summer Camp has always been a film series that is a little more fun, and themed accordingly by our film curator Kelly Gordon. It’s summertime, so we like to offer something that’s refreshing, and, well, fun!"  Hip, Hip, Hooray for the Hirshhorn.

Its prior "Summer Camp" presentations have included "It Came From Beneath the Sea", "Earth vs. the Flying Saucers", and "20 Million Miles to Earth".

So when you travel to Washington in June, see the campiest star of stars from beneath the sea, 'Zilla.

For more information: Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, www.hirshhorn.si.edu, on The Mall, 7th Street at Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC. Visitor information.