Saw the movie on tv in 1952 at the age of four, way past my bedtime. An incredible experience. Simple story with great special effects. The original outshines the remakes. One reason is that Kong remains a dangerous wild creature for all but the last seconds of the film - he was never turned into a teddy bear - recall the fate of the brunette he grabs during his NYC search for Anne. It is only during his last moments, mortally wounded, and knowing it, that he releases Anne and gently strokes her - showing that she was more than a novelty. That reveal puts the cap on this great action/thriller. My favorite film.
For some reason, I think I was around 5 when I first saw KK on TV. That would make it around 1958. Still, to this day, one of my favorite movies. What's a stronger word than "classic"?
@johnmurphy7953 That's really key as to why the '76 and '05 remakes messed up; it's in our sympathy for Kong and how that's supposed to happen. In the original, we're not 'helped' into sympathizing with Kong by characters in the movie - including Ann Darrow - but rather arrive at it on our own. That's always been the magic of this great classic.😊
Not only was King Kong the birth of the Hollywood blockbuster, but it was also hugely popular in Japan and directly inspired the entire kaiju (Godzilla) subgenre. There were even a couple unofficial Japanese spinoffs/remakes of Kong in the 40s, but those have sadly been lost.
King Kong is still a great film, one that some people seeing it for the first time may not fully appreciate. Side note: many years ago I was working with a young filmmaker who did brilliant stop-motion animation. He built the figures as well as doing the filmwork himself. As a model maker, he asked me to create the top of the Empire State Building for a short film he was working on called "Revenge of Kong". This was in early 1977 (I am severely dating myself, I realize), shortly after the release of the first true King Kong remake. In short, the plot of Revenge of Kong consisted of the giant ape roaming the streets of NYC. He finally breaks into a film studio and finds Dino de Laurentiis. He grabs the director, leaves the studio, climbs to the top of the Empire State Building, and throws de Laurentiis off the top of the building. Sad to say, the film was never finished.
King Kong is one of the greatest movies of all time but I didn't know about the musical score. Thank you so much for that insight. As for remakes the Peter Jackson one was pretty good one even had the giant bugs . Even the duel role for Andy Serkis was enjoyable
About that lost Spider Pit scene; author Ray Morton believes it not to have ever been shot. It was indeed planned, models built and even had stills photographed, but there seems to be a lack of evidence to support that it was ever shot in the first place. It was most likely cut for both pacing and budgeting before principle photography. So he claims.
My favorite film of all time when I first saw it in 1968 (when it was still censored). It was the most amazing thing I had ever seen. That inspired me to learn stop motion animation on my own. I got pretty darn good as well.
I'd be amazed how anyone could not love this film. It's a seminal classic and utterly brilliant. Loved it since first seeing it as a little kid. As much as I've enjoyed the many sequels and remakes nothing compares to the '33 original. And the big guy must be doing something right as he's still headining blockbuster movies 90 years later. Hollywood's longest running and most successful star. Hail to the King. 👑 😁
It's always fun to get a critical review of the O.G O.G. (Original Gangsta Over-sized Gorilla) I loved this film a lot more as a kid, before I learned about an aspect of film called "acting".. And even though Kong was more sympathetic in both remakes, this version will always be the standard bearer for the franchise. I don't care how many Peter Jacksons they throw at it...
When I was young lad in the late 1980's I became fascinated with classic films, especially the Film Noir genre. But this was one of the first I rented on VHS. I need to watch it again.
The original is my favorite. Interesting studios were reluctant to make big budget movies. The '30s ended up being Hollywood's golden age. Wonder how much Kong influenced that turn around? The movies was a way for people to escape from reality for a while.
The film's media reporters and photographers as depicted on opening night in the NYC Theater haven't changed much ....they are still inflaming, uncaring SOB's. Loved the historical aspects of the film showing depression area food lines and Times Square. The number of new and innovative special effects shots used in this film were astounding. Much creativity went into this film...the stop motion was excellent ...especially during the T-Rex Fight. "Have you ever heard of Kong".
You are an excellent writer giving tribute film as literature. I am a big supporter of the unappreciated virtues of B+W. Color is great for spectacle and we all love it, but B+W is about the idea almost as it occurs in the mind as a memory or a dream. In horror, even done badly it is some how more frightening. Kong works in B+W but the high point were the cheap, atomic age films or the tense film noirs of the mid-50's.. My compliments on you're channel. .
I once described King Kong 1933 as “the first blockbuster”, around 1990 or so. Especially with the Great Depression era when the film was made, it is an irreplaceable product of its time.
I am amazed still that these fine gentlemen go size right. Something none of the other renditions of the story have managed. Kong is big and as such he cannot bounce around like a rhesus macaque. I was watching the 2005 remake and Kong, still high, was running and jumping like NO creature that size could possibly do. It destroys the credibility that the original easily had. Good job and thank you for all your work.
Remade more often than I believe any other movie plot. There have been a half dozen films that I am aware of and almost every "adventure" style TV show has used it at least once, including Get Smart, Man from UNCLE, and LAW & ORDER SVU.
Saw the movie on tv in 1952 at the age of four, way past my bedtime. An incredible experience. Simple story with great special effects. The original outshines the remakes. One reason is that Kong remains a dangerous wild creature for all but the last seconds of the film - he was never turned into a teddy bear - recall the fate of the brunette he grabs during his NYC search for Anne. It is only during his last moments, mortally wounded, and knowing it, that he releases Anne and gently strokes her - showing that she was more than a novelty. That reveal puts the cap on this great action/thriller. My favorite film.
For some reason, I think I was around 5 when I first saw KK on TV. That would make it around 1958. Still, to this day, one of my favorite movies. What's a stronger word than "classic"?
@johnmurphy7953
That's really key as to why the '76 and '05 remakes messed up; it's in our sympathy for Kong and how that's supposed to happen. In the original, we're not 'helped' into sympathizing with Kong by characters in the movie - including Ann Darrow - but rather arrive at it on our own. That's always been the magic of this great classic.😊
Not only was King Kong the birth of the Hollywood blockbuster, but it was also hugely popular in Japan and directly inspired the entire kaiju (Godzilla) subgenre. There were even a couple unofficial Japanese spinoffs/remakes of Kong in the 40s, but those have sadly been lost.
An astonishing movie across the board with SFX, music , cinematography & scope. Quite seminal to this day.
It's been my favorite movie for 50 years. Seen it more times than I can count and It never gets old for me!😊
Wow, someone who puts the work in to tweak an extant piece to make it a little better? Kudos, Geek! You da man!
Little known fact. When King Kong was running thru NYC he wasn't chasing Fay Wray, he was running from Chuck Norris. I'll go away now.
😂🤣😂🤣
King Kong is still a great film, one that some people seeing it for the first time may not fully appreciate.
Side note: many years ago I was working with a young filmmaker who did brilliant stop-motion animation. He built the figures as well as doing the filmwork himself. As a model maker, he asked me to create the top of the Empire State Building for a short film he was working on called "Revenge of Kong". This was in early 1977 (I am severely dating myself, I realize), shortly after the release of the first true King Kong remake. In short, the plot of Revenge of Kong consisted of the giant ape roaming the streets of NYC. He finally breaks into a film studio and finds Dino de Laurentiis. He grabs the director, leaves the studio, climbs to the top of the Empire State Building, and throws de Laurentiis off the top of the building. Sad to say, the film was never finished.
King Kong is one of the greatest movies of all time but I didn't know about the musical score. Thank you so much for that insight.
As for remakes the Peter Jackson one was pretty good one even had the giant bugs . Even the duel role for Andy Serkis was enjoyable
About that lost Spider Pit scene; author Ray Morton believes it not to have ever been shot. It was indeed planned, models built and even had stills photographed, but there seems to be a lack of evidence to support that it was ever shot in the first place. It was most likely cut for both pacing and budgeting before principle photography. So he claims.
My favorite film of all time when I first saw it in 1968 (when it was still censored). It was the most amazing thing I had ever seen. That inspired me to learn stop motion animation on my own. I got pretty darn good as well.
Thank you for mentioning the "excised" footage; it makes the entire film seen in a different light.
The original Kong is my favourite, but I also love Peter Jackson's effort, especially the extended version. Great update to your original, thanks.
I'd be amazed how anyone could not love this film. It's a seminal classic and utterly brilliant. Loved it since first seeing it as a little kid. As much as I've enjoyed the many sequels and remakes nothing compares to the '33 original. And the big guy must be doing something right as he's still headining blockbuster movies 90 years later. Hollywood's longest running and most successful star. Hail to the King. 👑 😁
It's always fun to get a critical review of the O.G O.G. (Original Gangsta Over-sized Gorilla)
I loved this film a lot more as a kid, before I learned about an aspect of film called "acting"..
And even though Kong was more sympathetic in both remakes, this version will
always be the standard bearer for the franchise.
I don't care how many Peter Jacksons they throw at it...
I saw it introduced by Ray Harryhausen. Pretty special. Not a lot new to say about this one but I always enjoy your stuff
When I was young lad in the late 1980's I became fascinated with classic films, especially the Film Noir genre. But this was one of the first I rented on VHS.
I need to watch it again.
DUDE! They should make a movie about Cooper's actual life!
That's what Peter Jackson should've done instead of another KONG remake.
Your opinion matters. That’s why I spend my time watching your videos.
The original is my favorite. Interesting studios were reluctant to make big budget movies. The '30s ended up being Hollywood's golden age. Wonder how much Kong influenced that turn around? The movies was a way for people to escape from reality for a while.
Yup. Now we want to escape from the dark film industry.
The film's media reporters and photographers as depicted on opening night in the NYC Theater haven't changed much ....they are still inflaming, uncaring SOB's. Loved the historical aspects of the film showing depression area food lines and Times Square. The number of new and innovative special effects shots used in this film were astounding. Much creativity went into this film...the stop motion was excellent ...especially during the T-Rex Fight. "Have you ever heard of Kong".
You are an excellent writer giving tribute film as literature.
I am a big supporter of the unappreciated virtues of B+W.
Color is great for spectacle and we all love it, but B+W is about the idea almost as it occurs in the mind as a memory or a dream.
In horror, even done badly it is some how more frightening. Kong works in B+W but the high point were the cheap, atomic age films or the tense film noirs of the mid-50's.. My compliments on you're channel. .
I once described King Kong 1933 as “the first blockbuster”, around 1990 or so. Especially with the Great Depression era when the film was made, it is an irreplaceable product of its time.
I still love King Kong in 2024 I watch in when ever TCM shows it
I am amazed still that these fine gentlemen go size right. Something none of the other renditions of the story have managed. Kong is big and as such he cannot bounce around like a rhesus macaque. I was watching the 2005 remake and Kong, still high, was running and jumping like NO creature that size could possibly do. It destroys the credibility that the original easily had.
Good job and thank you for all your work.
The Most Dangerous Game(1934). A Russian guy hunting people on an island. Remade with Robert Reed in 1961 as Bloodlust!
Remade more often than I believe any other movie plot. There have been a half dozen films that I am aware of and almost every "adventure" style TV show has used it at least once, including Get Smart, Man from UNCLE, and LAW & ORDER SVU.
Always been my favorite movie since seeing it as a kid in the 1950s on Million Dollar Movie Ch 9 in New York!
King Kong is a timeless masterpiece!👍👍🦍🦖
Love this movie 🎉
very cool
Greetings from South Carolina
Last I heard Pan Am is now a railroad
I love King Kong It was always my favorite movie before star wars
The original is always the best.
King Kong was the yardstick for this genre until Jurassic Park.
50K?! $M Now!? 😮
Yepppp
James rolfe
Rolfe said it best.
👍👍👍👍👍😊