CREATURE FEATURE : Gorosaurus

Gorosaurus (ゴロザウルス Gorozaurusu) is a fictional theropod dinosaur created by Toho Studios. He stands 35 meters (105 feet) tall and weighs 8,000 tons in his first appearance. He was an opponent of King Kong in 1967's King Kong Escapes. He later enjoyed a prominent role in 1968's Destroy All Monsters, in which his size was increased to match Godzilla's 50 meter stature. Gorosaurus is a typical giant dinosaur, having no special powers like beams or energy weapons, relying on his strength and athleticism to fight. Gorosaurus' most identifiable fighting move is a flying kick similar to that of a kangaroo.

Character biography
In King Kong Escapes, Gorosaurus is an inhabitant of Mondo Island, the film's primary setting. He attacks and attempts to devour the leading female character, Susan Watson. King Kong arrives to save her and fights Gorosaurus. Kong eventually breaks the dinosaur's jaws, defeating Gorosaurus. In All Monsters Attack, Gorosaurus appears in the dreams of a young boy. In Godzilla vs. Gigan, Gorosaurus is seen living on Monster Island.
In Destroy All Monsters, Gorosaurus appears on a new island, Monster Island. It is an artificially created environment for the monsters of Earth. He lives with other monsters including Godzilla, Mothra, Rodan, Anguirus, Kumonga, Manda, Minilla, Baragon and Varan. A race of aliens called the Kilaaks invades Earth, capturing and establishing mind-control over the monsters. They then release them in cities throughout the world, with Gorosaurus being released in Paris, France. (In both the original and the English dubbed version, Gorosaurus is misidentified as Baragon in the Paris attack. Gorosaurus had to substitute for the digging monster Baragon because the Baragon suit was reworked several times for monsters in the Ultraman series and not usable beyond the glimpse at the end of the film. The scene was scripted with Baragon, and the dialogue was never rerecorded.) However, the humans retaliate and find a way to break the mind control.
The Kilaaks then unleash the space dragon King Ghidorah to kill the Earth monsters. Gorosaurus plays a pivotal role in the battle, as he twice brings down Ghidorah (the only monster who is able to), the first by pulling on his necks until it falls, heralding the turn of the tide of battle to the Earth monsters's side, and second when he used his kangaroo kick to slam Ghidorah to the ground as Godzilla and Anguirus attack two of the heads, leaving Ghidorah helpless and vulnerable. After killing Ghidorah, Gorosaurus and the other Earth monsters return to Monster Island to live in peace.

Powers/Abilities
Aside from the usual tooth and claw, Gorosaurus has been noted for using a "kangaroo kick" against foes like King Kong and King Ghidorah. This is Gorosaurus' most popular trait. Also, in the 1968 film Destroy All Monsters, Gorosaurus is shown with the ability to burrow underground. This is the only incident where this ability is shown.

Trivia
Gorosaurus was strangely shown to be burrowing in Paris in Destroy All Monsters. This role was originally intended for Baragon, however the Baragon suit was on loan to Tsuburaya Productions for use on a television series. Toho instead replaced him with Gorosaurus, having Gorosaurus "borrow" Baragon's burrowing ability. Gorosaurus was even refered to as Baragon.

Gorosaurus' name and appearance is similar to the name of a real dinosaur, Gorgosaurus.
Gorosaurus is one of the three monsters that have "saurus" in their names. The other two are Titanosaurus and Godzillasaurus.

Out of all Toho Monsters, Gorosaurus' roar was originally used by Rodan in one scene of Rodan (1956 film).

Gorosaurus' name is derived from the Japanese word Goro (fifth or approximate) and Greek word Sauros (lizard or reptile), so the name Gorosaurus means "approximate lizard".

Film appearances
King Kong Escapes (1967)
Destroy All Monsters (1968)
All Monsters Attack (1969, Stock footage)
Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972, Stock Footage)