'Holy Mackerel! What a Show!': Spectacle and Spectatorship in Giant Monster Films
Department of English lecturer Brad Congdon (PhD) will be presenting this Literature Matters: Literature in the Community event
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 25
Time: 7:30 pm
Location: Grace-Westminster United Church Social Hall
505-10th St. E., Saskatoon
This event is free and open to the public. Sponsored by the Department of English.
About this event
When a character in 1933's King Kong first encounters the giant ape, he shouts, "We came here to get a moving picture, and we've found something worth more than all the movies in the world!" We all know how that works out for Kong. From the beginning, giant monster films have focused on the twinned themes of exploitation and spectacle. This talk discusses kaiju (“giant monster”) films such as Godzilla, King Kong, and Nope to analyze how filmmakers have used monsters to embody historical, cultural, and systemic fears and anxieties.
Upcoming Events
Philosophy in the Community: How Does Propaganda Work?
Jan 9, 2026
A public talk by Pierre-Francois Noppen (PhD), professor of philosophy
Book Launch: Winds of the North
Jan 9, 2026
Winds of the North: A Survey of the Canadian Wind Band Tradition and Repertoire is compiled and edited by Dr. Darrin Oehlerking (DMA)
Major Possibilities 2026
Jan 9, 2026
Your chance to find your perfect major and learn where Arts and Science programs can take you