King Kong's 89th Anniversary!

 

King Kong fighting an Allosaurus, foreshadowing his fight with Godzilla. Picture: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons.

Today, March 2nd 2022, makes 89 years since the original King Kong dazzled movie-goers clear back in 1933, two days before FDR was inaugurated as the 32nd president of the United States. (It is also the creator of Kong, Willis O' Brien's birthday!)

The original classic is by far the best of all the Kong films, one of the best giant monster movies, and perhaps the greatest dinosaur film of all time. Enough praise cannot possibly be heaped onto this film. It was a huge inspiration for everything that came afterwards. Without King Kong, no Ray Harryhausen, no Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, no Godzilla, Gamera, or kaiju. In fact, Hollywood and cinema itself would probably be different. King Kong was a pioneer in the genre of "special effects" films. It paved the way for everything from Jaws to Star Wars and was a major inspiration to millions working in the field.

The original King Kong is an absolute masterpiece of cinema. It was one of the first films to be given its own original score. "Talkies" were still a new thing and most of them were given classical music as a score. For example, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake was used as the opening for 1931's Dracula starring Bela Lugosi. Kong's score fit the film perfectly and definitely enhanced it. The pacing of the film was perfect for action adventure. It is direct and straight to the point without skipping unnecessary details, though I've always wondered how they got Kong to New York!

The acting is underrated. Especially Robert Armstrong as the infamous Carl Denham. He's my favorite character of all the Kong movies, he just exudes charisma. I'm also a big fan of Frank Reicher's portrayal of the level-headed skipper Captain Englehorn. But everyone is talented and spot on. Fay Wray is wonderful as Ann Darrow and Bruce Cabot does great at portraying the tough, manly John "Jack" Driscoll. They couldn't have done better at casting this film!

The beautiful Fay Wray who portrayed Ann Darrow. Picture: Studio publicity still, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

The dialogue is brilliant. So many quotable lines. I've almost memorized them all. Take for instance the scene on the ship where Kong is first mentioned:

Denham explains about Skull Island telling Jack Driscoll and Captain Englehorn about, "A wall...built so long ago that the people who live there have slipped back, forgotten the higher civilization that built it. That wall is as strong today as it was centuries ago. The natives keep that wall in repair. They need it." 

"Why?" Driscoll asks.

"There's something on the other side of it, something they fear." he repsonds."

"A hostile tribe." Captain Englehorn interjects."

"Did you ever hear of...Kong?" Denham asks solemnly."

"Why, yes." Englehorn exclaims. "Some native superstition isn't it? A god or a spirit or something?"

Denham continues, "Well anyway, neither Beast nor man. Something monstrous. All powerful. Still living. Still holding that island in a grip of deadly fear. Well, every legend has a basis of truth. I tell you, there's something on that island that no white man has ever seen."

"And you expect to photograph it?" an incredulous Englehorn asks.

"If it's there, you bet I'll photograph it."

"Suppose it doesn't like having its picture taken?" Driscoll asks."

"Well," he replies with a smile, "Now you know why I brought along those cases of gas bombs!"

Kong held captive in New York. Picture: RKO/Willis O'Brien, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Or the iconic scene where Carl Denham introduces Kong a.k.a. "The Eighth Wonder of the World", to New Yorkers saying, "I'm going to show you the greatest thing your eyes have ever beheld. He was a king and a god in the world he knew, but now he comes to civilization merely a captive - a show to gratify your curiosity."

And of course, who could forget the star of the film, Kong himself! The special effects of this film were an amazing accomplishment of technical wizardry by the maestro himself Willis O' Brien. He had previously done amazing work on The Lost World in 1925 but here he really out did himself. 

Kong holding Ann Darrow like a doll. Picture: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons.

All in all, King Kong is a masterpiece and one of the best movies ever made. If you haven't seen it yet, you absolutely must!