version of ''King Kong'', directed by ''Peter Jackson.'']]
is the name of the fictional giant Gorilla , from Skull Island , who has appeared in several works, most of which bear his name including the groundbreaking 1933 Film , the film Remakes of 1976 and 2005 , and numerous Sequel s and Paraphernalia .
In the original film, the character's name is Kong--a name given to him by the inhabitants of " Skull Island " in the Indian Ocean , where Kong lived along with other over-sized animals such as Snakes , Pterosaurs and Dinosaurs . 'King' is an appellation added by an American film crew led by Carl Denham who captures Kong and takes him to New York City to be exhibited. Kong escapes and climbs the Empire State Building (the World Trade Center in the 1976 remake) where he is shot and killed by aircraft. However, "it was beauty killed the beast," as he only climbed the building in the first place in an attempt to protect actress Ann Darrow (Dwan in the 1976 remake).
A mock documentary about Skull Island on the DVD for the 2005 remake gives Kong's scientific name as '' Megaprimatus Kong '', and states that his species may have evolved from Gigantopithecus .
- '' King Kong (1933) ''. The original, classic film, is remembered for its pioneering Special Effects using stop-motion models, animatronics and evocative story. Considered by some to be the greatest motion picture of all time.
- '' Son Of Kong (1933) ''. A sequel released the same year, it concerns a return expedition to Skull Island that discovers Kong's son.
- '' King Kong Vs. Godzilla (1962) ''. A film produced by Toho Studios in Japan. It brought the titular characters to life (the first time for both characters to be in a film in color) via the process of Suitmation . The Toho Kong actually has no relation to the original American monster. In the Toho version he is at least five times the size of the one in '' King Kong '', and he can shoot electricity from his fingers.
- '' King Kong Escapes (1967) ''. Another Toho film in which Kong faces both a mechanical double, dubbed Mechani-Kong, and a giant theropod Dinosaur known as Gorosaurus (who would appear in Toho's '' Destroy All Monsters '' the following year).
- '' King Kong (1976) '' A remake by film producer Dino De Laurentiis , released by Paramount Pictures , and director John Guillermin . Jessica Lange and Jeff Bridges starred. The film was generally panned by critics at the time, but its reputation has improved with time, and it was eventually a commercial success. Even at the time of release, however, several prominent and well-respected critics such as Pauline Kael and Roger Ebert applauded the de Laurentiis version. It also won an Oscar for special effects.
- '' King Kong Lives (1986) ''. Released by De Laurentiis Entertainment Group (DEG) . Starring Linda Hamilton , a sequel by the same producer and director as the 1976 film which involves Kong surviving his fall from the sky and requiring a coronary operation. It includes a female Kong, who was now pregnant.
- '' Kongfrontation (1990 Attraction) '' - A ride at Universal Orlando Resort, it opened in 1990 and closed in 2002, replaced by the Revenge of the Mummy attraction. The ride featured a queue which represented a New York City subway station. The ride itself took place in a Roosevelt Island cable car, where you and other civilians made an attempt to escape the wrath of Kong. Guests traveled through the streets of New York, had two encounters with the beast, and arrived safely at their destination.
- King Kong (Universal Backlot) continually attacks tram tours of the backlot at Universal Studios Hollywood.
- ''Peter Jackson's King Kong (2005) ''. A Universal Pictures remake of the original by Academy award-winning New Zealand director Peter Jackson , best known for directing the ''Lord Of The Rings'' Trilogy . The most recent incarnation of Kong is also the longest, running three hours and eight minutes. Winner of three Academy Awards for visual effects, sound mixing, and sound editing.
Late in 2005 , the BBC and Hollywood trade papers reported that a 3-D Stereoscopic version of the 2005 film was being created from the animation files, and live actors digitally enhanced for 3D display. This may be just an elaborate 3D short for Universal Studios Theme Park , or a digital 3D version for general release in 2006 .
A novelization of the original film was published in December 1932 , as part of the film's advance marketing. The novel was credited to Edgar Wallace and Merian C. Cooper , although it was in fact written by Delos W. Lovelace . Apparently Cooper was the key creative influence. In an interview, comic book author Joe DeVito explains:
:"From what I know, Edgar Wallace, a famous writer of the time, died very early in the process. Little if anything of his ever appeared in the final story, but his name was retained for its saleability ... King Kong was Cooper’s creation, a Fantasy manifestation of his real life adventures. As many have mentioned before, Cooper was Carl Denham . His actual exploits rival anything Indiana Jones ever did in the movies." {Link without Title}
This conclusion about Wallace's contribution agrees with ''The Making of King Kong'', by Orville Goldner and George E. Turner (1975). In a diary entry from complicated by Diabetes on February 10 , 1932 , and Cooper later said, "Actually, Edgar Wallace didn't write any of ''Kong'', not one bloody word... I'd promised him credit and so I gave it to him" (p. 59).
Several differences exist in the novel from the completed film, as it reflects an earlier draft of the script that became the final shooting script. The novelization includes scenes from the screenplay that were cut from the completed movie, or were never shot altogether. These include the spider pit sequence, as well as a Styracosaurus attack, and Kong battling three Triceratops .
The original publisher was Grosset & Dunlap. Paperback editions by Bantam (U.S.) and Corgi (U.K.) came out in the 1960s , and it has since been republished by Penguin and Random House .
In 1933 , ''Mystery Magazine'' published a ''King Kong'' Serial under the named of Walter F. Ripperger. This is unrelated to the 1932 novel.
'''', an illustrated novel labeled as an authorized sequel to ''King Kong'' (1933), was published in 2004 by DH Press , a subsidiary of Dark Horse Comics . A large-paperback edition was released in 2005. Authorized by the family and estate of Merian C. Cooper , the book was created & illustrated by Joe DeVito , written by Brad Strickland with John Michlig , and includes an introduction by Ray Harryhausen . The novel's story ignores the existence of '' Son Of Kong '' (1933) and continues the story of Skull Island with Carl Denham and Jack Driscoll in the late 1950's, through the novel's central character, ''Vincent Denham''. ( Ann Darrow is not included, but mentioned several times.) The novel also becomes a prequel that reveals the story of the early history of Kong, of Skull Island, and of the natives of the island.
Over the decades, there have been numerous Comic Book adaptations of the 1933 ''King Kong'' by various comic-book publishers, and a current one of the 2005-remake by Dark Horse Comics .
- '' The King Kong Show (1966) ''. In this cartoon series, the famous giant ape befriends the Bond family, with whom he goes on various adventures, fighting monsters, robots, mad scientists and other threats. Produced by Rankin/Bass , the animation was provided in Japan by Toei Animation , making this the very first Anime series to be commissioned right out of Japan by an American company. This was also the cartoon that resulted in the production of Toho 's '' Godzilla Vs. The Sea Monster '' (originally planned as a Kong film) and ''King Kong Escapes''.
- '''' (2001). An unofficial animated production set many decades after the events of the original film. "Kong" is cloned by a female scientist.
- A '', based on the 2001 series, has been released to try and cash in on the 2005 movie. Both the series and movie were then included in Toon Disney 's " Jetix " group for a time, also to take advantage of the 2005 movie's release.
- The premise of a giant gorilla brought to the United States for entertainment purposes, and subsequently wreaking havoc, was recycled in '' Mighty Joe Young '', ( 1949 , remade in 1998 ).
- ''King Kong'' bears some similarities with an earlier effort by special effects head Willis O'Brien , '' The Lost World '' ( 1925 ), in which Dinosaurs are found living on an isolated Plateau . Scenes from a failed O'Brien project, '' Creation '', were cannibalized for the 1933 ''Kong''. ''Creation'' was also about a group of people stumbling into an environment where prehistoric creatures have survived extinction.
- An obscure Japanese clone (known as '' Japanese King Kong '', or ''Wasei Kingu Kongu'' featuring an all-Japanese cast and produced by the Shochiku company, was also released in 1933. Detailed information (outside of Japan) about this film cannot be found. [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0440913/
- ''ese-made monster/period piece by company Zensho Kinema in which King Kong attacks medieval Edo (modern Tokyo ), and also Japan's first '' Kaiju '' (giant monster) film. Although inaccurate to its historical setting, some Caligari -esque Expressionist ic buildings were added for Kong to climb. The film has been lost since its theatrical run in 1938 , but rare photos available in books in Japan prove this film's existence. Fuminori Ohashi , who would go on to create the suit for the titular Monster in '' Godzilla '' (1954), created the special effects for this film.
- Other similar films include the made '' The Mighty Peking Man '', the British '' Konga '' and '' Queen Kong '', and the American '' Mighty Gorga ''.
- ''King Kong'' also inspired a 1998 animated feature, '' The Mighty Kong '', which starred Jodi Benson and Dudley Moore .
''King Kong'' has been referenced and Parodied many times in film, television and literature.
- The lyrics of the Jim Croce song "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" states the track's title character is "badder than ol' King Kong."
- In the '' Little Shop Of Horrors '' remake, the monstrous Audrey II sings, "Mean Green Mother From Outer Space", a line of which is: "Don't you talk to me about ol' King Kong / Y'think he's the worst / Well you're thinkin' wrong."
- One well-known satire is by British author Terry Pratchett , whose book '' Moving Pictures '' climaxes with a giant woman carrying a screaming ape up a tall tower.
- Dav Pilkey also parodied the movie in the book '' Kat Kong ''.
- The television series Duck Tales parodies King Kong in two episodes: "Attack of the Fifty Foot Webby" and "Ducky Horror Picture Show".
- Darkwing Duck once contends with assorted movie characters that are conjured off from movie-theater screens, and a giant gorilla is one of them, of course.
- The animated cartoon series Grape Ape , about the adventures of a 40-foot tall purple gorilla, is arguably inspired by King Kong.
- Penelope Pitstop played damsel-in-distress on a movie set, with a giant Wind-up robot gorilla. The same character also once deals with a '' Son Of Kong ''-size gorilla called "King Klonk".
- A popular television spoof was the segment 'King Homer' from '' The Simpsons '' episode " Treehouse Of Horror III ", in which the story was retold featuring ''Simpsons'' characters, with Homer as Kong, Marge as Ann Darrow and Mr. Burns as the Carl Denham analogues. The spoof follows the plot of the 1933 film closely, however it ends with Marge marrying King Homer after he collapses in exhaustion, failing to climb beyond the first story of a tall building. The film was referenced again on ''The Simpsons'' in the episode " Monty Can't Buy Me Love ," where Mr. Burns captures the Loch Ness Monster and brings him back to America to entertain an audience; however, instead of the Monster going berserk during its debut, Burns himself is startled by the flash photography and causes the carnage.
- "Kitten Kong" was a 1971 episode of the BBC comedy series '' The Goodies '', in which a fluffy white kitten was enlarged to super-size. Some surprisingly good special effects enabled the kitten to destroy several famous landmarks, including St Paul's Cathedral and the Post-Office Tower, before reverting to normal.
- A two-part Energizer Battery commercial had the 1933 Kong himself contracted by a rival battery corporation (SuperVolt) to get rid of the Energizer Bunny for them. The commercials were done in black-and-white, and used cleverly edited 1933 Kong sequences (possibly combined with new computer-generated Kong shots). The concluding second-part had Kong cornering the Bunny on the roof of a New York City building (complete with Biplanes flying in the sky). His foot in an open window interrupts a couple (resembling Ann Darrow and Jack Driscoll ) having a romantic moment. The woman, extremely annoyed, slams the window on Kong's toes, making him lose his balance and grip, sending him falling.
- In the 1968 film '' Yellow Submarine '', the characters look in a room where a monster ape smashes through a window to get at a screaming woman on a bed. ("Do you think we're interrupting something?" a character nonchalantly comments of it.)
- In the 1974 film '' The Down And Dirty Duck '', there is a brief animation sequence where one of the lead characters, Willard, transforms into a giant ape, grabs a girl from out of a bus, strips her clothes off, and climbs up the Empire State Building where he is shot at by cannons with change into the long noses of several onlookers, the State Building changes into a bus stop sign, and the ape turns back into normal-sized Willard.
- In the 2005 film '' Wallace & Gromit In The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit '', the giant were-rabbit grabs Lady Tottington and leaps onto a tall building. And in a couple of scenes, he pounds his chest and howls.
- Swedish pop group ABBA recorded a song titled "King Kong Song" as an track for their 1974 album ''Waterloo''. The song relates to a songwriter who writes a song about dancing like a gorilla after having seen the original ''King Kong'' on television.
- A Bob Newhart skit was entitled "King Kong", where a rookie security guard phones for help in dealing with an ape on the building.
- Disney's " Herbie Rides Again " villain (Alonzo Hawk) has a nightmare, with himself a giant (in his pajamas) atop the Empire State Building and being attacked by flying VW Beetle s squirting oil in his face.
- The animation that presents the title and opening credits of '' The Pink Panther Strikes Again '' shows the Pink Panther performing in parodies of numerous famous movies, including Kong on the Empire State Building.
- On the first Tom Baker Doctor Who adventure Robot ; the robot grows to giant stature and carries Sarah Jane Smith in his claw.
- The third season of tries to transform a chimpanzee into a monster, he remarks "Don't you want to be a big gorilla like King, uh... what's-his-name?"
- The 2004 film '' Sky Captain And The World Of Tomorrow '' concludes on a tropical island of beasts that is similar to Skull Island, called "''Totenkopf's'' Island". (" Totenkopf " is German for "Death's Head", which is a ''skull'' emblem.) Also at the island, there can be seen a sunken ship named "Venture", and then an action scene on a fallen tree that bridges a chasm.
- The 2005 Disney movie, '' Chicken Little '', depicts a short clip of the character "Fish" on a paper version of the Empire State Building swatting at paper airplanes and beating his chest. Fish is finally struck in the head and falls in slow motion to the ground. "Runt" picks up a paper figure and quotes Carl Denham by saying, "Twas beauty that killed the beast."
- The 1990 film has a brief shot of an evil Gremlin (while still in its furry incarnation) sitting atop a model of a tall building, swatting at a biplane Mobile , which is hanging nearby.
- Giant gorillas similar to Kong are part of a story in the Anime TV-series " Speed Racer ", which takes place on an African island that is the 007 -villain-style secret base of an exiled army (who suspiciously resemble Nazis ) and a "traditional" mad-scientist, who plan to unleash war on the entire world (again) with an "army of giants" (direct quote). Around a half-dozen Kong-size gorillas -- along with an unrevealed number of giant Spider s -- are shown to have been successfully created, and the next stage in the experiments was to be experimenting on humans.
- An episode of the post-apocalyptic cartoon Thundarr The Barbarian involved a race of monkey-people reconstructing a full-sized animatronic Kong that had been (fictitiously) built for the 1976 remake, and had been buried during the cataclysm.
- '''' featured an episode in which a Chimpanzee astronaut gets mutated into a gigantic pseudo-gorilla. This was also a remake of an episode from a 1960's animated Superman with much of the same plot.
- Scenes from ''King Kong'' are referenced or mimicked in all three '' Jurassic Park '' films, and is mentioned directly in the first one ("What has he got in there, King Kong?").
- The film character was the inspiration for the 1981 Video Game '' Donkey Kong '' and subsequent Spin-offs , in which the eponymous ape climbs a huge structure after kidnapping a woman, as in the film. Shigeru Miyamoto intended the name 'Donkey Kong' to mean "stubborn gorilla." MCA/Universal attempted to sue Nintendo for Copyright Infringement in '' Universal City Studios, Inc. V. Nintendo Co., Ltd. ''. However, they lost and ended up paying Nintendo $1.8 million in damages when it was discovered that King Kong was in fact in the Public Domain and that MCA knew it when they filed the lawsuit.
- A King Kong game was produced by Tiger Games for the Atari 2600 , sporting a blue casing. The game is somewhat rare.
- The Rampage games by Atari / Midway also feature a King Kong wanna-be, named George, as well as a Godzilla wanna-be and other monsters.
- '''' is a Famicom action/adventure games very loosely based on the 1986 movie King Kong Lives . This game was developed by Konami and it disregarded the human characters and other plot elements of the movie. King Kong was presented in a quest to save his female counterpart from the clutches of gigantic robots.
- There is human counterpart game of ''Ikari no Megaton Punch'' for the MSX computer named ''King Kong 2'', also by Konami.
- King Kong makes a special appearance as a playable character in Konami Wai Wai World (also known as Konami World). Interestingly, King Kong does not appear in his usual giant size but rather as a 10 foot tall gorilla. The story of the game mentions King Kong being shrunk down in size after being captured by an army of robots, which directly relates to the game King Kong 2: Ikari no Megaton Punch
- War Of The Monsters is a 3D fighting game developed by Incognito Entertainment for Sony PlayStation 2 where the characters are various giant monsters inspired by films. One of the monsters is a giant ape named Congar, an obvious King Kong rip-off. It also features a Godzilla rip-off called Togera. A bonus mode will all also unlock a secret character named Metal Congar, an obvious reference to Mechani-Kong.
- In Capcom's 1989 arcade classic Strider , a 'giant robot ape' confronts the game's hero, Strider Hiryu as a mini-boss; an obvious reference to both Kong and Mechani-Kong. He appears during the Siberian Wilderness Stage (Level 2).
- The ending to the video game Viewtiful Joe shows parodies of famous movie posters. One is a King Kong parody, which includes Hulk Davidson (one of the game's bosses) on top of the Empire State Building.
- A game for the .
- '' Peter Jackson's King Kong '' is a multi-platform video game based on the 2005 film developed and published by Ubisoft .
- There is a King Kong pinball game {Link without Title}
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