The Son of Kong (1933)

Director:

Ernest B. Schoedsack

Writer:

Ruth Rose (story)

Release Date:

22 December 1933 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Action | Adventure | Comedy

Tagline:

The Twelve Foot Ape Befriended them On the Island of King Kong!

Plot:

After the disastrous results of his last expedition, Carl Denham leaves New York aboard a ship to escape all the trouble...

Plot Keywords:

Triceratops | Bottle | Bear | Island | Lost World

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Robert Armstrong	...	Carl Denham
Helen Mack	...	Hilda
Frank Reicher	...	Englehorn
John Marston	...	Helstrom
Victor Wong	...	Charlie, the Chinese Cook
Ed Brady	...	Red

Also Known As:

Son of Kong (USA) (trailer title)

Runtime:

70 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor System)

Certification:

Canada:PG (Ontario) | Finland:K-16 | Iceland:L | USA:Approved (PCA #1339)

Filming Locations:

Santa Catalina Island, Channel Islands, California, USA

Company:

RKO Radio Pictures

Trivia:

One of the scenes involving pterodactyls flying in the far background was matted into Citizen Kane (1941) during the scene where Kane and "friends" make for the beach from Xanadu - this was done to save production costs.

Quotes:

Carl Denham: You'll never catch a monkey that way.
Hilda: Did you ever catch a monkey?
Carl Denham: Did I ever - Lady, you'd be surprised.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Hollywood Stuntmakers: (#1.0)" (1999)

Soundtrack:

The Glow Worm

Very entertaining sequel that shouldn't be compared to its predecessor. It stands alone as its own somewhat lighthearted and satirical adventure tale.

A wonderful little film (about 65-70 minutes) that's every bit as entertaining, though not quite as dramatic as "King Kong". This film has it all. The early part of the movie gives a gritty and realistic depiction of the squalid little fever ports of the South Seas where an old tramp steamer would have gone searching for cargoes in the early part of the 20th century. The atmosphere, down and out characters, and their pathetic circumstances are straight out of a Joseph Conrad novel. It should be noted that Merian C. Cooper, who produced both this film and its precursor, was a former World War I aviator who became a real life "Carl Denham", producing a number of high adventure and "cannibal and jungle" documentaries that were popular with movie audiences of the times.

After what amounts to a Marxist mutiny (led by a mate known as "Red") the principal players eventually reach "Kong" island in the boat in which they were cast adrift. There they meet up with Kong Jr., a sweet playful giant gorilla who is nevertheless no slouch when it comes to fighting other monsters to protect his human friends. The movie becomes a bit too cutesy towards the end and almost seems to be rushing to a conclusion. I usually find that movies are overly long, but this one could have used more development of its denouement.

I won't spoil the ending but I will say that this is one of the few movies that ever made me cry. Nothing morbid or truly depressing though. A fine family film and truly unique in many respects.