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'''''King Kong''''' is a [[1933]] [[United States|American]] giant monster film produced by [[RKO Pictures|RKO Radio Pictures]] and the first film to feature the monster [[King Kong]]. It was released to American theaters on March 7, 1933.
'''''King Kong''''' is a [[1933]] [[United States|American]] giant monster film produced by [[RKO Pictures|RKO Radio Pictures]] and the first film to feature the monster [[King Kong]]. It was released to American theaters on March 7, 1933.
One of the most famous motion pictures of all time, ''King Kong'' follows film director [[Carl Denham]] as he leads an expedition aboard the ''[[Venture]]'' to the uncharted [[Skull Island]] in order to film his latest picture. When the crew arrives on the mysterious island, Denham's leading lady [[Ann Darrow]] is kidnapped by the local natives and sacrificed to their god, the giant ape [[King Kong/1933|Kong]]. Denham, ''Venture'' first mate [[Jack Driscoll]], and the rest of the crew launch a rescue mission into the heart of the island to save Ann, and find that Kong is not their only concern as they encounter a plethora of other prehistoric beasts. The film builds to an iconic climax where Kong is brought back to [[New York City]] and climbs atop the [[Empire State Building]] with Ann in hand for a final confrontation against a squadron of [[Curtiss F8C Helldiver|biplanes]].
{{TOC}}
{{TOC}}
==Plot==
==Plot==
{{Plagiarized}}
On a cold night in [[New York City]], theatrical agent Charles Weston wanders the harbor before encountering a dock worker. He asks if the nearby large tramp steamer the ''[[Venture]]'', is the moving picture ship, and the worker replies that it is. However, he says that the other dock workers have been questioning director [[Carl Denham]]'s sanity, as no one knows where he's going and he has brought strange cargo aboard the ship and staffed it with a much larger crew than necessary. First mate [[Jack Driscoll]] overhears the conversation and asks Weston's business, but quickly lets him aboard once he states his business. In the captain's quarters, Denham discusses how soon they should depart with the skipper, [[Captain Englehorn]]. Denham says that they need to leave soon before word spreads and the government sends a marshall to inspect their cargo, which includes a great deal of weapons, ammunition, and gas bombs. Jack brings Weston in, and Denham asks if he has found a leading lady for his picture. Weston replies that it can't be done, he can't convince any woman to embark on a voyage aboard this ship to a detination only Denham knows, especially on such short notice. Denham insists he needs a leading lady for his picture, saying critics always claim his films would be better with a love interest. This time, Denham says, he's going to give them what they want. He then puts on his coat and storms off the ''Venture'', vowing he will find a woman for his movie tonight, even if he has to marry one.
The film begins during the Great Depression where [[Carl Denham]] (Robert Armstrong), a film director famous for shooting animal pictures in remote and exotic locations, is unable to hire an actress to star in his newest project and so wanders the streets of 1930's [[New York|New York City]] searching for a suitable girl. He chances upon unemployed [[Ann Darrow]] (Fay Wray), as she is caught trying to steal an apple. Denham pays off the grocer then offers her the lead role in his latest film. Although Ann is apprehensive, she has nothing to lose and agrees.
 
Denham takes a taxi downtown to the women's home, but none of the candidates he sees catch his eye. Denham's search leads him to a fruit stand, where he witnesses a young blonde woman attempt to steal an apple, prompting the stand owner to angrily grab her by the hand and accuse her of being a thief. Denham comes to the woman's defense, giving the owner a dollar and telling him to scram. Denham asks the lady if she is alright, but she nearly faints from the shock. Denham brings the woman, [[Ann Darrow]], to a cafe and pays for her meal. Ann thanks Denham, but he responds that he did not do this simply out of kindness. He asks Ann why a woman as pretty as her is out on the streets, and she responds that she lost her job and has no family outside of a supposed uncle somewhere. Denham inquires if she has any acting experience, and Ann replies she did work as an extra at a studio on Long Island which has since closed. Denham excitedly tells Ann she will be leaving with him tomorrow on the ship, but she is visibly confused and nervous. Noticing this, Denham explains who he is, and Ann recognizes him as the famous film director. Denham insists he is being strictly professional and promises "no funny business," and asks Ann if she will be the leading lady for his next picture. Ann happily agrees, and Denham says they will leave at dawn.
 
Early the next morning, Driscoll shouts orders to the crew above deck as the ''Venture'' prepares to set sail. Ann approaches to watch, and when Jack turns around he accidentally punches her on the chin. Jack asks what she is doing here, and Ann replies she wanted to see the preparations as she's never been on a ship before. Jack retorts that he's never been on one with a woman before, and finds them to be nuisances. Ann is irritated by Jack's attitude, and says she will not be a nuisance at all. Jack says she already has been just for being a woman, then promptly apologizes for punching Ann on the chin, but she laughs it off. The ''Venture'' then finally sets sail, much to Ann's excitement.
 
During the voyage, Ann talks with Charlie, the ship's cook, before Jack approaches. Jack asks why she is above deck, and she responds that Denham wanted to do some test shots of her to see which side of her face looks better for the camera. Jack tries to complement Ann, saying both sides look fine to him. She asks if Jack still thinks she's a nuisance and he responds that she is by virtue of being a woman. Ann is once again frustrated by Jack's opinion on women and says everyone on the ship seems to like her, even Englehorn. She says that Englehorn is a "sweet old man," and Jack laughs saying he'd hate Englehorn to hear him say that. Denham approaches and remarks that the scene before him is "beauty and the beast," referring to the little monkey Iggy that Ann is playing with. Jack jokes that he's not that ugly, and Denham asks Ann to go put on some dresses for their test shots. Denham says the premise of his new movie will be "beauty and the beast," about a man who can take on anybody but falls for a beautiful woman, rendering him weak. He insinuates he believes Jack is falling for Ann but Jack defensively dismisses the notion. He again asks where they are going, to which Denham responds he can finally tell them.
 
On the bridge, Denham asks Englehorn their current position, which he points out as being located past Sumatra. He asks in which direction they should proceed, and Denham replies southwest. Englehorn says there is nothing that way, but Denham produces a crude map he says was given to him by a [[Nils Helstrom|Norwegian skipper]] two years ago. Englehorn tries to find it on the chart, but Denham replies that the island is uncharted. The Norwegian skipper claimed he found a raft adrift at sea with several natives of the island. They rescued them, but they all died before reaching port, though the skipper was able to piece together a description of the island and maka a map. He shows Englehorn and Jack the map of [[Skull Island]], an island with a village separated from the jungle by a huge wall, and most remarkably a huge skull-shaped mountain. When Englehorn asks what Denham expects to find there, Denham asks if he has ever heard of "[[King Kong/1933|Kong]]." Englehorn replies that he believes Kong is some kind of god or spirit from native superstition. Denham says all myth has a basis in reality, and he wants to see just what this "Kong" is if it is real. Later, Denham begins taking some test shots of Ann above Deck while Jack and Englehorn watch. Denham at one point instructs Ann to stare up in horror and scream for her life, prompting the two men to wonder just what he expects her to see.
 
The ''Venture'' eventually becomes surrounded by a massive fog bank as it nears Denham's destination. When it finally lifts, everyone witnesses Skull Island dead ahead just as Denham's map described it. Denham orders a party to go ashore, with Ann asking to come along. Jack protests, but Denham replies he likes having his cast with him in case he needs them for a shot. The landing party departs aboard a smaller ship and enters the native village. There, they witness a strange ceremony. The island's chief watches over as men dressed in gorilla costumes dance around a woman adorned with jewels as the natives chant "Kong" repeatedly. Denham sets up his camera and begins filming the spectacle, but the chief sees him and begins to approach the party with his men. Englehorn tries to communicate in the natives' language, but the chief tells them to leave. Englehorn asks who the woman in the center of the ceremony is, and the chief replies she is the "bride of Kong." The witch doctor approaches the chief and speaks to him, which Englehorn translates as saying they have spoiled the sanctity of the ritual. The chief and his men continue approaching Denham's party with hostility before he sees Ann among them, exclaiming something which Englehorn translates as "look at the golden woman." The chief offers to buy Ann, saying he will trade six of his women for her. Englehorn says they don't have a deal, causing the natives to become angry and approach closer. Denham orders everyone back to the ship before the natives surround them, and tells Englehorn to tell them they will be back tommorrow to "make friends."
 
That night, Jack encounters Ann on deck and asks if she's okay. Ann says she was a little scared, but Jack assures her that she isn't the only one. Jack says that in fact he was scared for Ann, as he has come to care a lot for her. Becoming nervous, he confesses that he loves Ann and asks if she has the same feelings for her. Ann responds by embracing Jack and the two share a kiss. Englehorn calls Jack to the bridge, and Ann says she will wait there. Unseen by anyone else, a native canoe approaches the ''Venture'', and one of the natives captures Ann and brings her onto the canoe. Charlie finds a native bracelet left behind in the struggle and realizes there has been an intruder and calls everyone on deck. Everyone searches frantically for Ann before realizing she has been captured by the natives. The men arm themselves and sail to the island to rescue her.
 
In the native village, Ann finds herself at the center of the same ritual she witnessed earlier. The natives then open the massive gate to the jungle and tie Ann to two posts outside. They then retreat back behind the wall and watch from above as Kong himself, a giant 50-foot ape, emerges from the jungle and observes Ann before carrying her off. The rescue team arrives as this occurs and Jack gets a good look at Kong through the gate. They force the gate open and storm into the jungle after Kong, to the chief's frustration. The team identifies Kong's footprints, remarking how huge they are. It is not long before the party encounters a ''[[Stegosaurus]]'' wandering the jungle. Upon seeing the humans, the beast charges them, prompting Denham to throw a smoke bomb. The bomb stuns the ''Stegosaurus'' which collapses at the ground. A rifle is fired to try and finish it off, but this only enrages the beast and it attacks again, before finally being brought down again. Denham shoots it in the eye, seemingly killing it and allowing them to pass. As they walk next to the creature, Jack asks what it is, and Denham replies that it's a dinosaur. Just as he says he would love to bring something like it back alive, the ''Stegosaurus''<nowiki>'</nowiki> tail begins moving, prompting the crew to run away before it gets back up.
 
Following Kong's trailer, the ''Venture'' crew comes upon a swamp, and hear Kong wading across. Knowing they can't expect to swim across, the men decide to build a raft from the surrounding logs. By the time it is completed, they are aware Kong is long gone but Denham believes they will be able to pick up his trail. As the raft crosses the swamp, something can be seen breaking the water's surface ahead. As the raft draws closer, the head and neck of a huge ''[[Brontosaurus]]'' emerge from the water and attack the raft.  The monstrous dinosaur easily destroys the raft and kills several of the men swimming away by grabbing them in its mouth and tossing them through the air. Denham, Jack, and a few others reach the shore, but the ''Brontosaurus'' follows them onto land. It kills a few more men, but Jack and Denham are able to escape it with a few others. Picking up Kong's trail, they reach a log bridge spanning a chasm and begin crossing it.
 
Further into the jungle, Kong sets his "bride" atop a tree as he hears the ''Venture'' crew approaching and heads off to deal with them. Upon seeing him, the men run back onto the log bridge before Kong grabs and twists it, sending several men plummeting to their deaths. Jack climbs into a crevice on the valley wall, and watches as Kong shakes nearly everyone off the log before tossing it down into the chasm. Kong goes after Jack next, reaching his hand into the crevice. Jack pulls out a knife and stabs Kong's hand. Kong is angered, but hears Ann scream and turns around to find the disturbance. Jack sees a huge [[Two-Legged Lizard|two-legged lizard]] climbing toward him on a vine, but cuts the vine with his knife and sends it falling into the chasm below.


They set sail aboard the [[Venture]], a tramp steamer, and travel for weeks in the direction of Indonesia. Despite his ongoing declarations that women have no place on board ships, the ship's first mate [[Jack Driscoll]] (Bruce Cabot) is obviously becoming attracted to Ann. Denham informs Driscoll he has enough trouble without the complications of a seagoing love affair. Driscoll sneers at the suggestion, reminding Denham of his toughness in past adventures. Denham's reply outlines the theme of both the movie he is making and the one in which he is a character: "The Beast was a tough guy too. He could lick the world, but when he saw Beauty, she got him. He went soft. He forgot his wisdom and the little fellas licked him."
Kong returns to where he left Ann and finds her being menaced by a huge [[Meat-Eater|meat-eating dinosaur]], which he promptly attacks. The two beasts fight, each using their incredible strength to knock the other down with their blows. Despite his strength, Kong is smaller than the meat-eater and struggles to keep it at bay. The memat-eater pushes Kong into the tree, causing it to fall over and trap Ann under it. Kong retaliates, flipping the meat-eater over his head and pounding on it. When the beast gets back up, Kong jumps onto its back and grabs its jaws, finally pulling it down to the ground. Kong continues prying apart the meat-eater's jaws before they finally snap and blood pours from the beast's mouth. Kong beats his chest victoriously before picking Ann back up and heading to his lair inside Skull Mountain.
After maintaining secrecy throughout the trip, Denham finally tells Driscoll and Captain Englehorn (Frank Reicher) that they're searching for an [[Skull Island|uncharted island]]. Denham has the only map that shows its location, originally drawn a native of the island who had been swept out to sea. Denham then describes something monstrous connected to the island, a legendary entity known only as "[[King Kong|Kong]]".


As the Venture creeps through the fog surrounding the island, the crew hear drums in the distance. Finally arriving at the island's shore, they see a native village perched on a peninsula, cut off from the bulk of the island by an enormous wall. A landing party, including the filmmaker and his leading lady, goes ashore and encounters the natives, who are about to hand over a girl to Kong as a ritual sacrifice. The native chief (Noble Johnson) spots them and approaches the troop. Captain Englehorn is able to understand the native speech, and at Denham's urging makes friendly overtures to the chief. However, when the chief gets a clear look at Ann, he begins speaking with great energy. Englehorn translates this as "look at the golden woman!" The chief proposes to swap six native women for Ann, an offer Denham delicately declines as he and his party edge away from the scene, assuring the chief that they will return tomorrow. Back on the Venture, Jack and Ann openly express their love for each another. When Jack is called away to the captain's quarters, a stealthy contingent of natives captures Ann, takes her back to the wall, where she is presented to Kong in an elaborate ceremony. Kong emerges from the jungle and is revealed to be a giant gorilla-like ape. The Venture crew returns to the village and takes control of the wall; half of the crew then go after Kong, encountering an enraged [[Stegosaurus]] and a territorial [[Brontosaurus]].
Jack climbs back to the top of the chasm and sees Denham, the only other survivor, on the other side. Jack tells Denham to return to the village and tell the others who stayed behind what has transpired. He says he will try to rescue Ann from Kong, but if he is unable to he will find a way to signal where she is. Denham wishes Jack luck and heads back to the village, briefly turning his head to watch Jack set off bravely after Ann. Jack witnesses the aftermath of Kong's battle with the meat-eater, with a [[Scavenger Raven|giant raven]] feeding on the dying dinosaur. Jack walks past the fallen meat-eater and witnesses it breathe its last as it bleeds out through its mouth. Jack follows Kong inside Skull Mountain, where the giant ape sets Ann down on a ledge. Just then, an ''[[Elasmosaurus]]'' slithers toward Ann, her scream alerting Kong who does battle with the serpentine dinosaur. The ''Elasmosaurus'' wraps its tail around Kong's throat in an attempt to strangle him, with Kong struggling fruitlessly to release its grip. As the ''Elasmosaurus'' tightens its body around Kong, he finally finds the strength to pull his foe off and whips it into the ground by its tail, breaking its neck and leaving it limp. Kong retrieves Ann again and carries her to a cliff overlooking the island. There, he begins to undress his "bride," before overhearing a rock fall down inside after Jack accidentally knocks it over. Kong leaves Ann on the cliff to investigate, only for a ''[[Pteranodon]]'' to descend and try to carry Ann away. Kong rushes to her rescue and grapples with the winged beast. Jack uses this opportunity to rescue Ann and begin to climb down a vine. Kong kills the pterosaur by breaking its jaws and begins biting and tearing at the corpse before throwing it off the cliff. When he notices Ann is gone, he drantically pulls on the vine, bringing Jack and Ann back toward him. The two have no choice but to jump into the water below. Kong bellows in anger and leaves the cliff to pursue them.


Up ahead in a jungle clearing, Kong places Ann in a high cleft of a tree, then goes back and confronts his pursuers as they are crossing a ravine on an enormous log. Kong shakes them off into the ravine, with only Driscoll and Denham surviving. Driscoll, continues the chase while Denham returns to the village. Meanwhile, a [[Tyrannosaurus rex]] approaches a terrified Ann, whose screams alert Kong, who rushes back and confronts the T-rex. The violent fight between the two titans ends when Kong pries open the dinosaur's jaw until it breaks. Kong takes Ann up to his mountain lair, where a [[Elasmosaurus|cave serpent]] emerges from a bubbling swamp and tries to strangle Kong, who kills it as well. Kong then inspects his blonde prize and begins to caress her, tearing off pieces of her clothing and tickling her. Jack interrupts the proceedings by knocking over a boulder. When the ape leaves Ann to investigate the noise, a [[Pteranodon]] swoops from the sky and clutches Ann in its talons. A final fight ensues and the pterodactyl is dispatched. While Kong is distracted, Jack rescues Ann and takes her back to the native village. Kong chases them, breaks through the large door in the wall and rampages through the village, killing many of the natives. Denham hurls a gas bomb, knocking Kong out, whereupon he exults in the opportunity presented: "He's always been King of his world. But we'll teach him fear! We're millionaires, boys! I'll share it with all of you! Why, in a few months, his name will be up in lights on Broadway! Kong! The Eighth Wonder of the World!"
Inside the village, the rest of the crew become restless, believing Jack will never make it back alive. Denham asks Englehorn if they had any trouble with the natives, and Englehorn responds that they all retreated into their homes when they fired warning shots with their rifles. A man atop the wall says he sees Jack and Ann approaching, and Denhamm and the others quickly help them inside. As everyone prepares to leave, Denham refuses to go home empty-handed. Instead, he says he intends to capture Kong alive using his gas bombs. Jack says Kong is atop a mountain where no one could get him, but Denham believes Kong will follow them to the village because they have something he wants. The lookout reports that Kong is approaching, and the ''Venture'' crew and natives work together to seal the gate and try to hold it shut. However, they cannot stand up to Kong's raw strength as he breaks through the gate and storms into the village. Kong smashes the natives' houses like paper as everyone flees in terror. A group of natives throw spears at Kong from atop a wooden fortification, but the beast merely pulls them out and becomes more angry. He grabs one native and puts him in his mouth before throwing him aside and crushing the fortification. Kong further terrorizes the natives, placing them in his mouth before throwing them on the ground and crushing them under his heel. As Kong's rampage continues, the ''Venture'' crew make it back to their boat before Kong appears before them. Denham lobs a gas bomb at Kong, which disorients the giant ape before he finally passes out. Denham declares that they will build a raft to bring Kong back to the ''Venture'' while he's out, and he will bring him to New York as his greatest show ever. He says they will all be millionaires after the world sees "Kong, the Eighth Wonder of the World."


The next scene begins with those very words in lights on a theater marquee. Along with hundreds of curious New Yorkers, Denham, Driscoll and Ann are in evening wear for the gala event. The curtain lifts, and Denham presents a subdued and manacled Kong to the stunned audience. All goes well until photographers, using the blinding flashbulbs of the era, begin snapping shots of Ann and Jack, who is now her fiancé. Under the impression that the flashbulbs are attacking Ann, Kong breaks free of his bonds and escapes from the theater. He rampages through the city streets, destroying an elevated train and killing several citizens.
Some time later, Jack and Ann are engaged and are backstage at Denham's first public exhibition of "King Kong: The Eighth Wonder of the World" inside a Manhattan theater. Members of the press arrive and begin asking all manner of questions to Jack, Ann, and Denham. Denham instructs the press members to come on stage to photograph Kong after he introduces the beast to the audience. Denham walks on stage before the crowd and says he is about to show them the greatest thing their eyes have ever beheld. The curtain is lifted, and behind Denham stands Kong, bound in chrome steeel chains and restraints. Denham calls Ann and Jack onto the stage and says that Jack rescued Ann from this beast, and the two are soon to be married. He then tells the press to begin taking photographs. The camera flashes enrage Kong, and just as Denham realizes Kong believes they are attacking Ann the giant ape tears free from his restraints. Kong escapes the theater as all the spectators panic and flee. Upon emerging onto the street, Kong tears through Times Square. Jack and Ann escape to a nearby hotel, but unbeknownst to them Kong begins to climb that same hotel. He rips a sleeping woman from her bed and inspects her, but upon realizing she is not Ann tosses her down to the street below. Kong finally finds Ann's room, where Jack comforts her and assures her he will protect her. Kong reaches his hand into the room, and Jack tries to fend him off with a chair. However, Kong simply smashes the chair and knocks Jack out, then kidnaps Ann once more. Kong climbs onto the roof with Ann and looks down at all the people below before taking off. When Jack and Denham reach the roof, they see Kong is already gone. Kong reaches the streets and destroys part of an elevated train track, causing the train to derail and crash into the street. Kong smashes the train cars before carrying Ann off somewhere else.


Kong finds Ann and carries her to the top of the [[Empire State Building]]. The military dispatches four Curtiss Helldiver biplanes to kill Kong. The ape gently sets Ann down on the building's observation deck and climbs atop the dirigible mooring mast, trying to fend off the attackers. He manages to swat one plane down, but he is mortally wounded by machine-gun fire and plummets to his death in the street below. Denham picks his way to the front of the crowd, where a cop remarks "Well Denham, the airplanes got him." Denham replies, "It wasn't the airplanes. It was beauty killed the beast."
At police headquarters, Jack and Denham learn that Kong is climbing the [[Empire State Building]] with Ann. The police believe they can't do anything to get him up there, but Jack proposes they wait until Kong sets Ann down and then pick him off with planes. The police chief likes Jack's idea and calls the Army to send in [[Curtiss F8C Helldiver|biplanes]]. Kong reaches the summit of the Empire State Building and observes Ann once more before he sees the planes approaching. As he prepares for yet another battle, Kong sets Ann down and roars defiantly. The planes fly by and fire their machine guns at Kong, which at first seems to have little effect. After several flybys, Kong smashes one of the planes out of the sky and sends it crashing to the streets below. The planes continue circling Kong and unloading bullets at him until he finally begins to bleed and notice his wounds. As his strength fades and he succumbs to his wounds, Kong holds Ann one more time and admires her, then sets her back down. Kong looks longingly at Ann as the planes fly by again and riddle him with bullets. Finally, the gunfire is too much for Kong, who loses his grip and plummets from the top of the skyscraper to his death on the streets below. Jack reaches the roof and reunites with Ann, and the two share an embrace.
 
Meanwhile, crowds gather around Kong's bloody corpse on the streets, held back by police. Denham works his way to the body, where an officer remarks that the planes got Kong. Denham smiles somberly and says that it wasn't the planes, rather "it was beauty, killed the beast."
==Staff==
==Staff==
{{Staffs
{{Staffs
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{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
===Monsters===
===Monsters===
*[[King Kong]]
*[[King Kong/1933|King Kong]]
*[[Brontosaurus]]
*''[[Stegosaurus]]''
*[[Stegosaurus]]
*''[[Brontosaurus]]''
*[[Two-Legged Lizard]]
*[[Meat-Eater|Meat-eater]]
*[[Tyrannosaurus rex]]
*[[Two-Legged Lizard|Two-legged lizard]]
*[[Elasmosaurus]]
*[[Scavenger Raven]]
*[[Pteranodon]]
*''[[Elasmosaurus]]''
*''[[Pteranodon]]''
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
===Weapons, Vehicles, and Races===
===Weapons, vehicles, and races===
*''[[Venture]]''
*''[[Venture]]''
*[[Skull Island]]ers
*[[Skull Island]]ers
*[[Curtiss F8C Helldiver]]
*[[Curtiss F8C Helldiver]]
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}
==Gallery==
==Gallery==
{{Main|King Kong (1933 film)/Gallery}}
{{Main|King Kong (1933 film)/Gallery}}
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Some jungle scenes were filmed on the same sound stage set as those in ''The Most Dangerous Game'', which was filmed during the day as ''King Kong'' was being shot at night, and also featured Fay Wray and Robert Armstrong in prominent roles. Other jungle sequences were filmed on Catalina Island. One of the several original metal armatures used to bring Kong to life, as well as other original props from the 1933 film, can be seen in the book ''It Came From Bob's Basement'', a reference to long-time prop collector Bob Burns. One armature was on display in London until a few years ago in the now-closed Museum of the Moving Image. Peter Jackson bought all the original Kong dinosaur armatures from Forrest J Ackerman.
Some jungle scenes were filmed on the same sound stage set as those in ''The Most Dangerous Game'', which was filmed during the day as ''King Kong'' was being shot at night, and also featured Fay Wray and Robert Armstrong in prominent roles. Other jungle sequences were filmed on Catalina Island. One of the several original metal armatures used to bring Kong to life, as well as other original props from the 1933 film, can be seen in the book ''It Came From Bob's Basement'', a reference to long-time prop collector Bob Burns. One armature was on display in London until a few years ago in the now-closed Museum of the Moving Image. Peter Jackson bought all the original Kong dinosaur armatures from Forrest J Ackerman.
==Alternate Titles==
==Alternate titles==
*'''''The Fable of King Kong - An American Film Sensation''''' (''Die Fabel von King Kong - Ein amerikanischer Trick- und Sensationsfilm''; Germany)
*'''''The Fable of King Kong - An American Film Sensation''''' (''Die Fabel von King Kong - Ein amerikanischer Trick- und Sensationsfilm''; Germany)
*'''''King Kong, the Eight Wonder of the World''''' (''King Kong, la Huitième Merveille du Monde''; France)
*'''''King Kong, the Eight Wonder of the World''''' (''King Kong, la Huitième Merveille du Monde''; France)
==Theatrical Releases==
==Theatrical releases==
*[[United States]] - March 7, 1933
*[[United States]] - March 7, 1933
*Netherlands - April 28, 1933
*Netherlands - April 28, 1933
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*Iceland - April 1934
*Iceland - April 1934
*Hong Kong - May 25, 1934
*Hong Kong - May 25, 1934
==Box Office==
==Box office==
''King Kong'' had an estimated budget of $672,000 (roughly adjusted to $12,042,084) and made $1,845,000 from its initial theatrical release. Five re-releases followed in 1938, 1942, 1946, 1952, and 1956. The 1952 re-release was particularly successful, making more money than any of [[RKO Pictures|RKO]]'s new films from that year, and played a major role in the decade's flood of monster movies, which included the original ''[[Godzilla (1954 film)|Godzilla]]''.<ref name="Greenbriar Picture Shows">[http://greenbriarpictureshows.blogspot.com/2008/01/mighty-monarch-of-melodramas-king-kong.html The Mighty Monarch Of Melodramas!]</ref><ref name="Turner Classic Movies">[http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/2690/King-Kong/articles.html]</ref>
''King Kong'' had an estimated budget of $672,000 (roughly adjusted to $12,042,084) and made $1,845,000 from its initial theatrical release. Five re-releases followed in 1938, 1942, 1946, 1952, and 1956. The 1952 re-release was particularly successful, making more money than any of [[RKO Pictures|RKO]]'s new films from that year, and played a major role in the decade's flood of monster movies, which included the original ''[[Godzilla (1954 film)|Godzilla]]''.<ref name="Greenbriar Picture Shows">[http://greenbriarpictureshows.blogspot.com/2008/01/mighty-monarch-of-melodramas-king-kong.html The Mighty Monarch Of Melodramas!]</ref><ref name="Turner Classic Movies">[http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/2690/King-Kong/articles.html]</ref>
==Significance==
==Significance==
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During the film's original 1933 theatrical release, the climax was presented in Magnascope. This is where the screen opens up both vertically and horizontally. Cooper had wanted to wow the audience with the Empire State Building battle in a larger-than-life presentation. He had done this earlier for his earlier film ''Chang'', during the climactic elephant stampede.
During the film's original 1933 theatrical release, the climax was presented in Magnascope. This is where the screen opens up both vertically and horizontally. Cooper had wanted to wow the audience with the Empire State Building battle in a larger-than-life presentation. He had done this earlier for his earlier film ''Chang'', during the climactic elephant stampede.
==DVD and Blu-ray Releases==
==Video releases==
'''[[Warner Bros.]]''' DVD (2005)
'''[[Warner Bros.]]''' DVD (2005)
*Region: Various
*Region: Various
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*Special Features: Audio commentary by Ray Harryhausen, Ken Ralston, Fay Wray, and Merian C. Cooper, documentary on the making of the film (159 minutes), recreation of the spider-pit scene by Peter Jackson and Weta Workshop (6 minutes), test footage from ''Creation'' (5 minutes), Merian C. Cooper biography (57 minutes), theatrical trailer
*Special Features: Audio commentary by Ray Harryhausen, Ken Ralston, Fay Wray, and Merian C. Cooper, documentary on the making of the film (159 minutes), recreation of the spider-pit scene by Peter Jackson and Weta Workshop (6 minutes), test footage from ''Creation'' (5 minutes), Merian C. Cooper biography (57 minutes), theatrical trailer
*Notes: The 2017 release can also be packaged with ''[[Son of Kong]]''.
*Notes: The 2017 release can also be packaged with ''[[Son of Kong]]''.
==Deleted Scenes==
==Deleted Scenes==
The first cut of ''King Kong'' was 125 minutes long.<ref name="Morton book">[http://raymorton.com/books/king-kong/ ''King Kong: The History of a Movie Icon from Fay Wray to Peter Jackson'' by Ray Morton]</ref> To improve the pacing, Cooper and editor Ted Cheesman removed a number of scenes, including a battle in an asphalt pit between Kong and two Triceratops, a giant snake menacing Ann, Kong walking to and from Skull Mountain, a pursuit of the ''Venture'''s crew by a Styracosaurus, leading them to their first encounter with Kong, and a New York poker game interrupted by Kong.
The first cut of ''King Kong'' was 125 minutes long.<ref name="Morton book">[http://raymorton.com/books/king-kong/ ''King Kong: The History of a Movie Icon from Fay Wray to Peter Jackson'' by Ray Morton]</ref> To improve the pacing, Cooper and editor Ted Cheesman removed a number of scenes, including a battle in an asphalt pit between Kong and two Triceratops, a giant snake menacing Ann, Kong walking to and from Skull Mountain, a pursuit of the ''Venture'''s crew by a Styracosaurus, leading them to their first encounter with Kong, and a New York poker game interrupted by Kong.
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{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">8qkahQVFzMI</youtube>|"Climbing the Empire State Building" clip}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">8qkahQVFzMI</youtube>|"Climbing the Empire State Building" clip}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">MMNICLfHE3M</youtube>|"Beauty Killed the Beast" clip}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">MMNICLfHE3M</youtube>|"Beauty Killed the Beast" clip}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">S42pO3yz2ec</youtube>|Audio commentary by film history Ronald Haver, for the 1984 Criterion LaserDisc}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">S42pO3yz2ec</youtube>|Audio commentary by film history Ronald Haver, for the 1984 [[The Criterion Collection|Criterion Collection]] LaserDisc}}
}}
}}
==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*Criterion's 1984 ''King Kong'' LaserDisc is the first home video release ever to contain an audio commentary.<ref name="Crooked Scoreboard">[http://crookedscoreboard.com/the-unbearable-sadness-of-the-audio-commentary-track/ The Unbearable Sadness of the Audio Commentary Track]</ref>
*[[The Criterion Collection]]'s 1984 ''King Kong'' LaserDisc is the first home video release ever to contain an audio commentary.<ref name="Crooked Scoreboard">[http://crookedscoreboard.com/the-unbearable-sadness-of-the-audio-commentary-track/ The Unbearable Sadness of the Audio Commentary Track]</ref>
==External Links==
==External links==
*[http://atlantisonline.smfforfree2.com/index.php/topic,3029.0/wap2.html Script dated 9/1/32 to 9/6/32]
*[http://atlantisonline.smfforfree2.com/index.php/topic,3029.0/wap2.html Script dated 9/1/32 to 9/6/32]
*[http://chelsearialtostudios.com/king_kong_pressbook.htm Scans of the ''King Kong'' pressbook]
*[http://chelsearialtostudios.com/king_kong_pressbook.htm Scans of the ''King Kong'' pressbook]
Line 176: Line 194:
*[https://maserpatrol.wordpress.com/2017/03/02/kong-count-9-king-kong-1932-the-delos-w-lovelace-novelization/ Maser Patrol article on the Delos W. Lovelace novelization and its differences from the movie]
*[https://maserpatrol.wordpress.com/2017/03/02/kong-count-9-king-kong-1932-the-delos-w-lovelace-novelization/ Maser Patrol article on the Delos W. Lovelace novelization and its differences from the movie]
*[http://www.imfdb.org/wiki/King_Kong_(1933) List of firearms used in the film]
*[http://www.imfdb.org/wiki/King_Kong_(1933) List of firearms used in the film]
==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
{{King Kong 1933}}
{{King Kong 1933}}
{{Kaiju Movies}}
{{Kaiju Movies}}
{{Comments}}
{{Era|RKO|WB|FIL|KK}}
{{Era|RKO|WB|FIL|KK}}
[[Category:Kaiju Films]]
[[Category:Kaiju Films]]

Revision as of 11:41, 26 January 2020

Article.png
Image gallery for King Kong (1933 film)
Credits for King Kong (1933 film)
King Kong (1933 film) soundtrack


King Kong films
None
King Kong (1933)
Son of Kong
King Kong
King Kong (1933 film)
Directed by Merian C. Cooper,
Ernest Schoedsack
Producer Merian C. Cooper,
Ernest Schoedsack,
David Selznick (Executive)
Written by Ruth Rose,
James Ashmore Creelman,
Merian C. Cooper,
Leon Gordon,
Edgar Wallace
Music by Max Steiner
Distributor RKO Radio Pictures (Original),
Turner Entertainment (Current via Warner Bros.)
Rating Not Rated
Budget $672,000
Box office $1,845,000 (1933),
$306,000 (1938),
$685,000 (1942),
$1,608,000 (1952)[1]
Running time 100 minutes
(1 hour, 40 minutes)
104 minutes (with overture)
(1 hour, 44 minutes)
Aspect ratio 1.37:1
Rate this film!
4.58
(62 votes)

King Kong is a 1933 American giant monster film produced by RKO Radio Pictures and the first film to feature the monster King Kong. It was released to American theaters on March 7, 1933.

One of the most famous motion pictures of all time, King Kong follows film director Carl Denham as he leads an expedition aboard the Venture to the uncharted Skull Island in order to film his latest picture. When the crew arrives on the mysterious island, Denham's leading lady Ann Darrow is kidnapped by the local natives and sacrificed to their god, the giant ape Kong. Denham, Venture first mate Jack Driscoll, and the rest of the crew launch a rescue mission into the heart of the island to save Ann, and find that Kong is not their only concern as they encounter a plethora of other prehistoric beasts. The film builds to an iconic climax where Kong is brought back to New York City and climbs atop the Empire State Building with Ann in hand for a final confrontation against a squadron of biplanes.

Plot

On a cold night in New York City, theatrical agent Charles Weston wanders the harbor before encountering a dock worker. He asks if the nearby large tramp steamer the Venture, is the moving picture ship, and the worker replies that it is. However, he says that the other dock workers have been questioning director Carl Denham's sanity, as no one knows where he's going and he has brought strange cargo aboard the ship and staffed it with a much larger crew than necessary. First mate Jack Driscoll overhears the conversation and asks Weston's business, but quickly lets him aboard once he states his business. In the captain's quarters, Denham discusses how soon they should depart with the skipper, Captain Englehorn. Denham says that they need to leave soon before word spreads and the government sends a marshall to inspect their cargo, which includes a great deal of weapons, ammunition, and gas bombs. Jack brings Weston in, and Denham asks if he has found a leading lady for his picture. Weston replies that it can't be done, he can't convince any woman to embark on a voyage aboard this ship to a detination only Denham knows, especially on such short notice. Denham insists he needs a leading lady for his picture, saying critics always claim his films would be better with a love interest. This time, Denham says, he's going to give them what they want. He then puts on his coat and storms off the Venture, vowing he will find a woman for his movie tonight, even if he has to marry one.

Denham takes a taxi downtown to the women's home, but none of the candidates he sees catch his eye. Denham's search leads him to a fruit stand, where he witnesses a young blonde woman attempt to steal an apple, prompting the stand owner to angrily grab her by the hand and accuse her of being a thief. Denham comes to the woman's defense, giving the owner a dollar and telling him to scram. Denham asks the lady if she is alright, but she nearly faints from the shock. Denham brings the woman, Ann Darrow, to a cafe and pays for her meal. Ann thanks Denham, but he responds that he did not do this simply out of kindness. He asks Ann why a woman as pretty as her is out on the streets, and she responds that she lost her job and has no family outside of a supposed uncle somewhere. Denham inquires if she has any acting experience, and Ann replies she did work as an extra at a studio on Long Island which has since closed. Denham excitedly tells Ann she will be leaving with him tomorrow on the ship, but she is visibly confused and nervous. Noticing this, Denham explains who he is, and Ann recognizes him as the famous film director. Denham insists he is being strictly professional and promises "no funny business," and asks Ann if she will be the leading lady for his next picture. Ann happily agrees, and Denham says they will leave at dawn.

Early the next morning, Driscoll shouts orders to the crew above deck as the Venture prepares to set sail. Ann approaches to watch, and when Jack turns around he accidentally punches her on the chin. Jack asks what she is doing here, and Ann replies she wanted to see the preparations as she's never been on a ship before. Jack retorts that he's never been on one with a woman before, and finds them to be nuisances. Ann is irritated by Jack's attitude, and says she will not be a nuisance at all. Jack says she already has been just for being a woman, then promptly apologizes for punching Ann on the chin, but she laughs it off. The Venture then finally sets sail, much to Ann's excitement.

During the voyage, Ann talks with Charlie, the ship's cook, before Jack approaches. Jack asks why she is above deck, and she responds that Denham wanted to do some test shots of her to see which side of her face looks better for the camera. Jack tries to complement Ann, saying both sides look fine to him. She asks if Jack still thinks she's a nuisance and he responds that she is by virtue of being a woman. Ann is once again frustrated by Jack's opinion on women and says everyone on the ship seems to like her, even Englehorn. She says that Englehorn is a "sweet old man," and Jack laughs saying he'd hate Englehorn to hear him say that. Denham approaches and remarks that the scene before him is "beauty and the beast," referring to the little monkey Iggy that Ann is playing with. Jack jokes that he's not that ugly, and Denham asks Ann to go put on some dresses for their test shots. Denham says the premise of his new movie will be "beauty and the beast," about a man who can take on anybody but falls for a beautiful woman, rendering him weak. He insinuates he believes Jack is falling for Ann but Jack defensively dismisses the notion. He again asks where they are going, to which Denham responds he can finally tell them.

On the bridge, Denham asks Englehorn their current position, which he points out as being located past Sumatra. He asks in which direction they should proceed, and Denham replies southwest. Englehorn says there is nothing that way, but Denham produces a crude map he says was given to him by a Norwegian skipper two years ago. Englehorn tries to find it on the chart, but Denham replies that the island is uncharted. The Norwegian skipper claimed he found a raft adrift at sea with several natives of the island. They rescued them, but they all died before reaching port, though the skipper was able to piece together a description of the island and maka a map. He shows Englehorn and Jack the map of Skull Island, an island with a village separated from the jungle by a huge wall, and most remarkably a huge skull-shaped mountain. When Englehorn asks what Denham expects to find there, Denham asks if he has ever heard of "Kong." Englehorn replies that he believes Kong is some kind of god or spirit from native superstition. Denham says all myth has a basis in reality, and he wants to see just what this "Kong" is if it is real. Later, Denham begins taking some test shots of Ann above Deck while Jack and Englehorn watch. Denham at one point instructs Ann to stare up in horror and scream for her life, prompting the two men to wonder just what he expects her to see.

The Venture eventually becomes surrounded by a massive fog bank as it nears Denham's destination. When it finally lifts, everyone witnesses Skull Island dead ahead just as Denham's map described it. Denham orders a party to go ashore, with Ann asking to come along. Jack protests, but Denham replies he likes having his cast with him in case he needs them for a shot. The landing party departs aboard a smaller ship and enters the native village. There, they witness a strange ceremony. The island's chief watches over as men dressed in gorilla costumes dance around a woman adorned with jewels as the natives chant "Kong" repeatedly. Denham sets up his camera and begins filming the spectacle, but the chief sees him and begins to approach the party with his men. Englehorn tries to communicate in the natives' language, but the chief tells them to leave. Englehorn asks who the woman in the center of the ceremony is, and the chief replies she is the "bride of Kong." The witch doctor approaches the chief and speaks to him, which Englehorn translates as saying they have spoiled the sanctity of the ritual. The chief and his men continue approaching Denham's party with hostility before he sees Ann among them, exclaiming something which Englehorn translates as "look at the golden woman." The chief offers to buy Ann, saying he will trade six of his women for her. Englehorn says they don't have a deal, causing the natives to become angry and approach closer. Denham orders everyone back to the ship before the natives surround them, and tells Englehorn to tell them they will be back tommorrow to "make friends."

That night, Jack encounters Ann on deck and asks if she's okay. Ann says she was a little scared, but Jack assures her that she isn't the only one. Jack says that in fact he was scared for Ann, as he has come to care a lot for her. Becoming nervous, he confesses that he loves Ann and asks if she has the same feelings for her. Ann responds by embracing Jack and the two share a kiss. Englehorn calls Jack to the bridge, and Ann says she will wait there. Unseen by anyone else, a native canoe approaches the Venture, and one of the natives captures Ann and brings her onto the canoe. Charlie finds a native bracelet left behind in the struggle and realizes there has been an intruder and calls everyone on deck. Everyone searches frantically for Ann before realizing she has been captured by the natives. The men arm themselves and sail to the island to rescue her.

In the native village, Ann finds herself at the center of the same ritual she witnessed earlier. The natives then open the massive gate to the jungle and tie Ann to two posts outside. They then retreat back behind the wall and watch from above as Kong himself, a giant 50-foot ape, emerges from the jungle and observes Ann before carrying her off. The rescue team arrives as this occurs and Jack gets a good look at Kong through the gate. They force the gate open and storm into the jungle after Kong, to the chief's frustration. The team identifies Kong's footprints, remarking how huge they are. It is not long before the party encounters a Stegosaurus wandering the jungle. Upon seeing the humans, the beast charges them, prompting Denham to throw a smoke bomb. The bomb stuns the Stegosaurus which collapses at the ground. A rifle is fired to try and finish it off, but this only enrages the beast and it attacks again, before finally being brought down again. Denham shoots it in the eye, seemingly killing it and allowing them to pass. As they walk next to the creature, Jack asks what it is, and Denham replies that it's a dinosaur. Just as he says he would love to bring something like it back alive, the Stegosaurus' tail begins moving, prompting the crew to run away before it gets back up.

Following Kong's trailer, the Venture crew comes upon a swamp, and hear Kong wading across. Knowing they can't expect to swim across, the men decide to build a raft from the surrounding logs. By the time it is completed, they are aware Kong is long gone but Denham believes they will be able to pick up his trail. As the raft crosses the swamp, something can be seen breaking the water's surface ahead. As the raft draws closer, the head and neck of a huge Brontosaurus emerge from the water and attack the raft. The monstrous dinosaur easily destroys the raft and kills several of the men swimming away by grabbing them in its mouth and tossing them through the air. Denham, Jack, and a few others reach the shore, but the Brontosaurus follows them onto land. It kills a few more men, but Jack and Denham are able to escape it with a few others. Picking up Kong's trail, they reach a log bridge spanning a chasm and begin crossing it.

Further into the jungle, Kong sets his "bride" atop a tree as he hears the Venture crew approaching and heads off to deal with them. Upon seeing him, the men run back onto the log bridge before Kong grabs and twists it, sending several men plummeting to their deaths. Jack climbs into a crevice on the valley wall, and watches as Kong shakes nearly everyone off the log before tossing it down into the chasm. Kong goes after Jack next, reaching his hand into the crevice. Jack pulls out a knife and stabs Kong's hand. Kong is angered, but hears Ann scream and turns around to find the disturbance. Jack sees a huge two-legged lizard climbing toward him on a vine, but cuts the vine with his knife and sends it falling into the chasm below.

Kong returns to where he left Ann and finds her being menaced by a huge meat-eating dinosaur, which he promptly attacks. The two beasts fight, each using their incredible strength to knock the other down with their blows. Despite his strength, Kong is smaller than the meat-eater and struggles to keep it at bay. The memat-eater pushes Kong into the tree, causing it to fall over and trap Ann under it. Kong retaliates, flipping the meat-eater over his head and pounding on it. When the beast gets back up, Kong jumps onto its back and grabs its jaws, finally pulling it down to the ground. Kong continues prying apart the meat-eater's jaws before they finally snap and blood pours from the beast's mouth. Kong beats his chest victoriously before picking Ann back up and heading to his lair inside Skull Mountain.

Jack climbs back to the top of the chasm and sees Denham, the only other survivor, on the other side. Jack tells Denham to return to the village and tell the others who stayed behind what has transpired. He says he will try to rescue Ann from Kong, but if he is unable to he will find a way to signal where she is. Denham wishes Jack luck and heads back to the village, briefly turning his head to watch Jack set off bravely after Ann. Jack witnesses the aftermath of Kong's battle with the meat-eater, with a giant raven feeding on the dying dinosaur. Jack walks past the fallen meat-eater and witnesses it breathe its last as it bleeds out through its mouth. Jack follows Kong inside Skull Mountain, where the giant ape sets Ann down on a ledge. Just then, an Elasmosaurus slithers toward Ann, her scream alerting Kong who does battle with the serpentine dinosaur. The Elasmosaurus wraps its tail around Kong's throat in an attempt to strangle him, with Kong struggling fruitlessly to release its grip. As the Elasmosaurus tightens its body around Kong, he finally finds the strength to pull his foe off and whips it into the ground by its tail, breaking its neck and leaving it limp. Kong retrieves Ann again and carries her to a cliff overlooking the island. There, he begins to undress his "bride," before overhearing a rock fall down inside after Jack accidentally knocks it over. Kong leaves Ann on the cliff to investigate, only for a Pteranodon to descend and try to carry Ann away. Kong rushes to her rescue and grapples with the winged beast. Jack uses this opportunity to rescue Ann and begin to climb down a vine. Kong kills the pterosaur by breaking its jaws and begins biting and tearing at the corpse before throwing it off the cliff. When he notices Ann is gone, he drantically pulls on the vine, bringing Jack and Ann back toward him. The two have no choice but to jump into the water below. Kong bellows in anger and leaves the cliff to pursue them.

Inside the village, the rest of the crew become restless, believing Jack will never make it back alive. Denham asks Englehorn if they had any trouble with the natives, and Englehorn responds that they all retreated into their homes when they fired warning shots with their rifles. A man atop the wall says he sees Jack and Ann approaching, and Denhamm and the others quickly help them inside. As everyone prepares to leave, Denham refuses to go home empty-handed. Instead, he says he intends to capture Kong alive using his gas bombs. Jack says Kong is atop a mountain where no one could get him, but Denham believes Kong will follow them to the village because they have something he wants. The lookout reports that Kong is approaching, and the Venture crew and natives work together to seal the gate and try to hold it shut. However, they cannot stand up to Kong's raw strength as he breaks through the gate and storms into the village. Kong smashes the natives' houses like paper as everyone flees in terror. A group of natives throw spears at Kong from atop a wooden fortification, but the beast merely pulls them out and becomes more angry. He grabs one native and puts him in his mouth before throwing him aside and crushing the fortification. Kong further terrorizes the natives, placing them in his mouth before throwing them on the ground and crushing them under his heel. As Kong's rampage continues, the Venture crew make it back to their boat before Kong appears before them. Denham lobs a gas bomb at Kong, which disorients the giant ape before he finally passes out. Denham declares that they will build a raft to bring Kong back to the Venture while he's out, and he will bring him to New York as his greatest show ever. He says they will all be millionaires after the world sees "Kong, the Eighth Wonder of the World."

Some time later, Jack and Ann are engaged and are backstage at Denham's first public exhibition of "King Kong: The Eighth Wonder of the World" inside a Manhattan theater. Members of the press arrive and begin asking all manner of questions to Jack, Ann, and Denham. Denham instructs the press members to come on stage to photograph Kong after he introduces the beast to the audience. Denham walks on stage before the crowd and says he is about to show them the greatest thing their eyes have ever beheld. The curtain is lifted, and behind Denham stands Kong, bound in chrome steeel chains and restraints. Denham calls Ann and Jack onto the stage and says that Jack rescued Ann from this beast, and the two are soon to be married. He then tells the press to begin taking photographs. The camera flashes enrage Kong, and just as Denham realizes Kong believes they are attacking Ann the giant ape tears free from his restraints. Kong escapes the theater as all the spectators panic and flee. Upon emerging onto the street, Kong tears through Times Square. Jack and Ann escape to a nearby hotel, but unbeknownst to them Kong begins to climb that same hotel. He rips a sleeping woman from her bed and inspects her, but upon realizing she is not Ann tosses her down to the street below. Kong finally finds Ann's room, where Jack comforts her and assures her he will protect her. Kong reaches his hand into the room, and Jack tries to fend him off with a chair. However, Kong simply smashes the chair and knocks Jack out, then kidnaps Ann once more. Kong climbs onto the roof with Ann and looks down at all the people below before taking off. When Jack and Denham reach the roof, they see Kong is already gone. Kong reaches the streets and destroys part of an elevated train track, causing the train to derail and crash into the street. Kong smashes the train cars before carrying Ann off somewhere else.

At police headquarters, Jack and Denham learn that Kong is climbing the Empire State Building with Ann. The police believe they can't do anything to get him up there, but Jack proposes they wait until Kong sets Ann down and then pick him off with planes. The police chief likes Jack's idea and calls the Army to send in biplanes. Kong reaches the summit of the Empire State Building and observes Ann once more before he sees the planes approaching. As he prepares for yet another battle, Kong sets Ann down and roars defiantly. The planes fly by and fire their machine guns at Kong, which at first seems to have little effect. After several flybys, Kong smashes one of the planes out of the sky and sends it crashing to the streets below. The planes continue circling Kong and unloading bullets at him until he finally begins to bleed and notice his wounds. As his strength fades and he succumbs to his wounds, Kong holds Ann one more time and admires her, then sets her back down. Kong looks longingly at Ann as the planes fly by again and riddle him with bullets. Finally, the gunfire is too much for Kong, who loses his grip and plummets from the top of the skyscraper to his death on the streets below. Jack reaches the roof and reunites with Ann, and the two share an embrace.

Meanwhile, crowds gather around Kong's bloody corpse on the streets, held back by police. Denham works his way to the body, where an officer remarks that the planes got Kong. Denham smiles somberly and says that it wasn't the planes, rather "it was beauty, killed the beast."

Staff

Staff role on the left, staff member's name on the right.

  • Directed by   Merian C. Cooper, Ernest Schoedsack
  • Written by   Ruth Rose, James Ashmore Creelman, Merian C. Cooper
  • Produced by   Merian C. Cooper, Ernest Schoedsack, David Selznick
  • Music by   Max Steiner
  • Cinematography by   Edward Linden, J.O. Taylor, Vernon Walker, Kenneth Peach
  • Edited by   Ted Cheesman
  • Production design by   Carroll Clark
  • Assistant directing by   Doran Cox, Walter Daniels, Ivan Thomas
  • Special effects by   Willis O'Brien, Harry Redmond Jr., Harry Redmond Sr.

Cast

Actor's name on the left, character played on the right.

  • Fay Wray   as   Ann Darrow
  • Robert Armstrong   as   Carl Denham
  • Bruce Cabot   as   Jack Driscoll
  • Frank Reicher   as   Captain Englehorn
  • Sam Hardy   as   Charles Weston
  • James Flavin   as   Briggs
  • Noble Johnson   as   Skull Island Native Chief
  • Steve Clemente   as   Witch King
  • James Flavin   as   Second Mate

Appearances

Monsters

Weapons, vehicles, and races

Gallery

Main article: King Kong (1933 film)/Gallery.

Soundtrack

Main article: King Kong (1933 film soundtrack).

Production

In the original story written by Edgar Wallace, which was simply entitled The Beast, the giant ape was named "Kong." The first script of the film was written by James Creelman under the working title The Eighth Wonder, and press booklets were sent off to thousands of movie theaters in 1932 to excite the theater owners into placing The Eighth Wonder onto their advertisements. The "King" was added to the title creature by studio publicists. The final script of the story, written by Ruth Rose (wife of director Ernest B. Shoedsack), finalized the title of the film as King Kong. Apart from the opening titles, the only time the name "King Kong" appears in the picture is on the marquee above the theater where Kong is being exhibited, and the marquee was in fact added to the scene as an optical composite after the live footage of the theater entrance had been shot. However, Denham does refer to Kong in his speech as "a king and a god in the world he knew."

Before any script or real story outline could even be considered, however, producer Merian C. Cooper needed a way to realize the story's title creature. He originally planed to shoot the scenes using what would later be known as "suitmation", meaning Kong would be portrayed by an actor in an ape suit. Fortunately, Cooper was introduced to Willis O'Brien, the inventor of stop-motion animation. In the early 1900's, O'Brien began to experiment with clay figures, eventually devising the process of stop-motion. His short film, The Dinosaur and the Missing Link, was bought by Thomas Edison in 1915, who comissioned him to create a series of stop-motion dinosaur shorts. In 1925, O'Brien worked on the special effects for The Lost World, which became a hit and astonished audiences with its amazing special effects. After The Lost World was released, O'Brien began to work on a new project called Creation. For the next seven years, O'Brien worked on the story and special effects for Creation, eventually finalizing a story outline and shooting a short test reel. When Merian Cooper saw the footage shot for Creation, he realized that he had found a way to create his giant ape. Unfortunately, RKO Pictures canceled Creation, and Willis O'Brien, in danger of losing nearly seven years of work, tried to convince Cooper that stop-motion could help him realize his monster, not knowing that Cooper already planed to use O'Brien to do just that. Many of the elements planed for Creation were incorporated into King Kong, including many sequences and plot ideas. Several examples of similar concepts and scenes include: a log bridge scene, a Pteranodon attacking the female lead, and the attacks of many of the dinosaurs. Many of the stop-motion model creatures in King Kong (with the exeption of Kong himself) were originally built by O'Brien for Creation, including the Tyrannosaurus rex, the Pteranodon, the Stegosaurus, the Brontosaurus, and the Styracosaurus (which was deleted from the final cut). Many other elements of the film were recycled from other films, and others were used again after King Kong was produced. The giant gate used in the movie was burned along with other old studio sets for the burning of Atlanta scene in Gone with the Wind (1939). The gate was originally constructed for the 1927 Biblical epic The King of Kings. It can also be seen in the Bela Lugosi serial The Return of Chandu. The native huts were previously used in RKO's Bird of Paradise (1932).

Some jungle scenes were filmed on the same sound stage set as those in The Most Dangerous Game, which was filmed during the day as King Kong was being shot at night, and also featured Fay Wray and Robert Armstrong in prominent roles. Other jungle sequences were filmed on Catalina Island. One of the several original metal armatures used to bring Kong to life, as well as other original props from the 1933 film, can be seen in the book It Came From Bob's Basement, a reference to long-time prop collector Bob Burns. One armature was on display in London until a few years ago in the now-closed Museum of the Moving Image. Peter Jackson bought all the original Kong dinosaur armatures from Forrest J Ackerman.

Alternate titles

  • The Fable of King Kong - An American Film Sensation (Die Fabel von King Kong - Ein amerikanischer Trick- und Sensationsfilm; Germany)
  • King Kong, the Eight Wonder of the World (King Kong, la Huitième Merveille du Monde; France)

Theatrical releases

  • United States - March 7, 1933
  • Netherlands - April 28, 1933
  • Brazil - May 28, 1933
  • Mexico - July 27, 1933
  • Czechoslovakia - September 1933
  • Sweden - September 8, 1933
  • Japan - September 14, 1933
  • France - September 29, 1933
  • Peru - October 3, 1933
  • Spain - October 9, 1933
  • Ireland - October 13, 1933
  • Italy - October 13, 1933
  • Denmark - November 1, 1933
  • Turkey - December 1933
  • Germany - December 1, 1933
  • Portugal - January 2, 1934
  • Finland - February 4, 1934
  • Iceland - April 1934
  • Hong Kong - May 25, 1934

Box office

King Kong had an estimated budget of $672,000 (roughly adjusted to $12,042,084) and made $1,845,000 from its initial theatrical release. Five re-releases followed in 1938, 1942, 1946, 1952, and 1956. The 1952 re-release was particularly successful, making more money than any of RKO's new films from that year, and played a major role in the decade's flood of monster movies, which included the original Godzilla.[1][2]

Significance

Although King Kong was not the first important Hollywood film to have a thematic music score (many silent films had multi-theme original scores written for them), it's generally considered to be the most ambitious early film to showcase an all-original score, courtesy of a promising young composer, Max Steiner.

It was also the first hit film to offer a life-like animated central character in any form. Much of what is done today with CGI animation has its conceptual roots in the stop motion animation that was pioneered in King Kong. Willis O'Brien, credited as "Chief Technician" on the film, has been lauded by later generations of film special effects artists as an outstanding genius of founder status.

The film also utilizes unique camera tricks used to integrate live-action shots with special-effects shots. For example, at the end of the scene where Kong shakes the crew members off the log, he then goes after Driscoll, who is hiding in a small cave just under the ledge. The scene was shot using the miniature set, a mockup of Kong's hand and a rear-projected image of Driscoll in the cave. This is not the first known use of miniature rear projection, but it certainly is among the most famous of early attempts. Other techniques used for the film include the combination of both live-action shots and special-effects shots by running them through an optical printer, large rear-screen projections that enabled actors to act in front of a large screen on which the special effects scenes (such as the attack of the Stegosaurus) were played back, and many more.

Many shots in King Kong featured optical effects by Linwood G. Dunn, who was RKO's optical technician for decades. Dunn did optical effects on Citizen Kane and the original Star Trek TV series, as well as hundreds of other films and shows. In the 1990s, Dunn co-invented an electronic 3-D system now used for micro-surgery in hospitals and in the military, as well as co-inventing a video projection system with better resolution than 35mm film that is used in modern cinemas.

During the film's original 1933 theatrical release, the climax was presented in Magnascope. This is where the screen opens up both vertically and horizontally. Cooper had wanted to wow the audience with the Empire State Building battle in a larger-than-life presentation. He had done this earlier for his earlier film Chang, during the climactic elephant stampede.

Video releases

Warner Bros. DVD (2005)

  • Region: Various
  • Discs: 2
  • Audio: English (1.0 Mono)
  • Special Features: Audio commentary by Ray Harryhausen, Ken Ralston, Fay Wray, and Merian C. Cooper, documentary on the making of the film (159 minutes), recreation of the spider-pit scene by Peter Jackson and Weta Workshop (6 minutes), test footage from Creation (5 minutes), Merian C. Cooper biography (57 minutes), trailers for Merian C. Cooper films
  • Notes: A single-disc version was released in 2006 with only the audio commentary and trailer as bonus features. Some editions are packaged with Son of Kong, Son of Kong and Mighty Joe Young, or King Kong (1976).

Warner Bros. Blu-ray (2010/2017)

  • Region: Various
  • Discs: 1
  • Audio: English (1.0 Mono), Spanish (1.0 Mono), Portugese (1.0 Mono); other dubs vary depending on country
  • Special Features: Audio commentary by Ray Harryhausen, Ken Ralston, Fay Wray, and Merian C. Cooper, documentary on the making of the film (159 minutes), recreation of the spider-pit scene by Peter Jackson and Weta Workshop (6 minutes), test footage from Creation (5 minutes), Merian C. Cooper biography (57 minutes), theatrical trailer
  • Notes: The 2017 release can also be packaged with Son of Kong.

Deleted Scenes

The first cut of King Kong was 125 minutes long.[3] To improve the pacing, Cooper and editor Ted Cheesman removed a number of scenes, including a battle in an asphalt pit between Kong and two Triceratops, a giant snake menacing Ann, Kong walking to and from Skull Mountain, a pursuit of the Venture's crew by a Styracosaurus, leading them to their first encounter with Kong, and a New York poker game interrupted by Kong.

The most famous lost footage from the film is the spider-pit scene, in which the sailors shaken from the log by Kong were attacked and eaten alive at the bottom of the ravine by several creatures, including a giant spider, a giant crab, a giant lizard, and an octopus-like creature. An urban legend persists that the scene was removed because it terrified a test audience. However, a memo written by Cooper, recently revealed on a King Kong documentary, indicates that the scene was cut because it distracted the audience from Kong.[citation needed] According to "King Kong Cometh" by Paul A. Wood, the scene did not get past censors and audiences only claim to have seen the sequence. Stills from the scene exist, but the footage itself remains lost to this day. It is mentioned in the 2005 DVD by Doug Turner that Cooper, the director, usually relegated his outtakes and deleted scenes to the incinerator (a regular practice in all movie productions for decades), so many presume that the spider-pit sequence met the same fate. Models used in the sequence (a tarantula and a spider) can be seen hanging on the walls of a workshop in one scene of the 1946 film Genius at Work, and a spider and tentacled creature from the sequence were used in O'Brien's 1957 film The Black Scorpion.

Director Peter Jackson and his crew of special effects technicians at Weta Workshop created an imaginative reconstruction of the scene as a special feature for the 2005 DVD release of the film. He also included a rendition of the scene in his 2005 remake, with most men surviving the initial fall but having to fight off giant insects to survive, including spiders.

Videos

King Kong trailer (1938 re-release)
"The Bride of Kong" clip
"Something in the Water" clip
"Rampage Ravine" clip
"Kong vs. T-Rex" clip
"Jack Rescues Ann" clip
"Capturing Kong" clip
"Kong Escapes" clip
"The Clutches of the Beast" clip
"Climbing the Empire State Building" clip
"Beauty Killed the Beast" clip
Audio commentary by film history Ronald Haver, for the 1984 Criterion Collection LaserDisc

Trivia

External links

References

This is a list of references for King Kong (1933 film). These citations are used to identify the reliable sources on which this article is based. These references appear inside articles in the form of superscript numbers, which look like this: [1]

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