King Kong

King Kong (1933), directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack

Ask somebody who starred in King Kong, and they'll say " Fay Wray" (unless they are insane, in which case they'll say " Jessica Lange"). Then ask them what else Fay Wray was in and they'll be unable to think of anything. Then ask them who else was in Kong, and they won't be able to think of anybody. Ask them who directed it, who wrote it, and all you'll get is blank stares.

King Kong is not about actors, directors, people...it is about Kong, the gorilla, a primal force. The best parts of the film are the long stretches with no dialogue. This is one of those movies dependent almost wholly on action, excitement, and adrenaline. To overanalyze the acting of the movie would be a wholly futile gesture.

The plot is universally known: a group of Great White Hunters (actually Great White Moviemakers) visit an unknown island in the East Indies, where a monster/god named "Kong" is feared and revered. In a bit of casual racism, the natives decide that the beautiful white woman (Wray) is a better offering to Kong than one of their own. Kong takes the woman, the hunters chase him down, but are massacred. Finally, the woman is rescued, the ape is captured and put on Broadway, until he runs amok through downtown Manhattan, climbs the Empire State Building, and falls to his death.

This film was one of the most controversial additions to the AFI 100 list (it ranked #43). Its detractors called it a glorified B movie. I disagree. I think it is a worthy choice, as it inspired thousands of action and adventure movies, both good and bad, movies that have defined Hollywood.

Kong is one of the first sympathetic monsters in cinematic history: he appeared around the same time as two others, Frankenstein's monster and Count Dracula. Kong killed his victims not out of maliciousness, but because of his love for Anne, and his wish that she be protected and hidden away. After all, to protect her, Kong kills several other ferocious creatures and attempts to destroy the biplanes that buzz him.

One cannot speak in praise of this film without mentioning the visionary design. Ape Island is a creation out of an amazing monochrome dream, possibly inspired by H.P. Lovecraft. There are tremendously huge mountains, giant walls, sheer cliffs and ravines, phallic symbols, you name it. The smartest decision the makers of the 1970's remake made was to not change the design elements of the island.

Yes, King Kong features hokey acting, unenlightened racial relations, and special effects that seem primitive by today's standards. It deserves consideration, however, as one of the first feature films to create a new world and a living character literally out of clay.

Three-and-a-half stars