Title: King Kong
Director: Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack
Starring: Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong, Bruce Cabot
Number on the AFI List: 41
Year: 1933
MY FIRST TALKIE!
"It was beauty killed the beast!"
Note to self: if a director asks you to leave with him the next day on a boat to an island with no name in order to star in his next big feature, just say no. Also note to self: If you do end up saying yes, don't let the director make the terrible decision of bringing the beast (who's just killed dinosaurs) back with you to New York. Bad ideas all around.
This movie must have blown everyones mind's back in the 1930s. It was impressive to see the use of stop motion figures as a backdrop to the live actors; pre-computers, that was quite the feat! King Kong captured the desperation of the depression era but proved that even in desperate times you still need to be smart about what decisions you make. It's interesting to note the movie within the movie mirroring real life. King Kong saved RKO pictures from bankruptcy and was a huge risk to take in the midst of the depression. The director also told Fay Wray that her co-star would be "dark and handsome," which is similar to Carl Denham's non-descriptive lines he uses to lure Ann Darrow into making his mysterious film with him. The acting in the movie was typical film-noir style, with the damsel in distress always flailing her arms and covering her eyes, and the director speaking in monotone, staccato rhythm. Did I mention how GORGEOUS Bruce Cabow is?!
*swoon*
Timeless and inspirational, I can see how many films have been inspired by this movie, particularly Raiders of the Lost Ark and Jurassic Park. I was expecting Indiana Jones to jump in and save the day after Ann got captured! It was a huge RISK to make this film, and the risk paid off exponentially.
Favorite scene: Climbing the empire state building. Cliche, I know, but that image will stay in my mind forever!
Will I watch it again: Maybe. :)
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