King Kong (1933)

King Kong (1933)

King Kong (1933) Movie Info

FieldDetails
Movie NameKing Kong
Release Year1933
Original TitleKing Kong
DirectorMerian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack
Screenplay WriterJames Ashmore Creelman, Ruth Rose
Story ByMerian C. Cooper, Edgar Wallace
Based on Novel byNovelization by Delos W. Lovelace
Producer(s)Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack
Executive Producer(s)David O. Selznick
Lead ActorsFay Wray, Robert Armstrong
CastFay Wray, Robert Armstrong, Bruce Cabot, Frank Reicher
GenreHorror, Adventure, Fantasy
SubgenreMonster Horror, Giant Ape Film
Release DateMarch 2, 1933 (United States)
Runtime / Duration1h 40m (100 minutes)
Budget~$672,000
Box Office (Worldwide)Massive box office success for its era
LanguageEnglish
CountryUnited States
Production CompanyRKO Radio Pictures
DistributorRKO Radio Pictures
Filming LocationsRKO Studios, California, USA
Music ByMax Steiner
CinematographyJ.O. Taylor
Edited ByTed Cheesman
Production DesignCarroll Clark
Costume DesignWalter Plunkett
Special EffectsGroundbreaking stop-motion animation by Willis O’Brien
Makeup EffectsMiniatures, matte paintings, creature effects
MPAA RatingApproved
Aspect Ratio1.37:1
Sound MixMono
FormatBlack-and-white
ThemesBeauty and the beast, greed, civilization vs. nature
SettingSkull Island and New York City
Notable TriviaConsidered one of the most influential monster films ever made
Critical ReceptionUniversally acclaimed and historically significant
Audience ReceptionEnduring worldwide classic with massive cultural impact
Awards / NominationsNational Film Registry selection
Home MediaVHS, DVD, Blu-ray, 4K restorations
Streaming AvailabilityAvailable on classic film streaming services
Sequels / FranchiseSpawned multiple remakes, sequels, and cinematic universes
Franchise TypeGiant monster / kaiju franchise

When movie producer extraordinaire Carl Denham says that he will get a film in on time he means it. When his latest feature runs into a few problems with the leading actress, Denham gives her the boot and hires a virtual unknown in Ann Darrow. Darrow, a stunning beauty, will venture with Denham to Skull Island to finish shooting the movie. Once the natives see the beautiful Darrow they decide that she would be a great bride for their island god, Kong. Kong, a fifty foot tall gorilla takes her as a sacrifice and now it will be up to the conniving Denham and the heroic first mate Jack Driscoll to rescue the beautiful damsel. But since his movie is ruined Denham plans on bringing something else in to make up for his lost movie, Kong.

The 1933 black and white stop-motion animation masterpiece is perhaps the single greatest American monster movie of all time.

By saying this I mean that King Kong is the original American Bad-Ass. Yes, America released Dracula and we even let Godzilla get shown on our movie screens, but Kong is ours, all ours.

Don’t get this version confused with the ’76 remake, as yes they were similar, but at the same time very different. This is the original and more savage version of the beauty and the beast fable. A lot more of this film is spent in the truly wild jungles of Skull Island, which is inhabited by more than just a giant rattlesnake that the remake featured.

Along with the great scene of Driscoll and party crossing the log over the gorge and the truly iconic image of Kong scaling the Empire State Building and his following fall, this film features another classic movie image, Fay Wray. Wray who stars as the lovely Ann Darrow is a true Hollywood icon, along with her captivating beauty she brings an enormous amount of emotion to the role, the true beauty of the film.

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