King Kong: The giant 80 years old today

Posted On 07 Mar 2013

When Hollywood started to position itself as the Mecca of cinema, in the 30s, came to the big screen King Kong, film challenge at the time, which became one of the most emblematic films in the history of film and today turns 80.

King Kong

Produced by RKO Studios and directed by Cooper and Ernest Schoedsack Meriam, King Kong was presented as a kind of free version of Beauty and the Beast. It was released on March 7, 1933, at the premises of the theater Radio City Music Hall and starring Fay Wray (Ann Darrow), Robert Armstrong and Bruce Cabot.

The film of this character 80 years, tells the story of a giant gorilla who lives as absolute master of the island Skrull (skull), where Aboriginal youth lead him as offerings. After would be captured and taken to the city to object displayed as fair. After release, escape the city and capture their impossible love, Ann. That’s when he takes refuge in the Empire State enfentándose a swarm of airplanes, immortalizing one of the scenes stories of the film industry.

Behind the magic of King Kong:

This film is remembered for its special effects by Willis O’Brien. Techniques that were used were bold for its time, but the film managed to become a box office hit in the U.S. and worldwide.

Starting with the main character: the gorilla, built as a filler metal skeleton covered with cotton and latex. Then it was overlaid with bearskin, to make it more natural. For all other animals and characters in the film were used miniature figures, using the system called stop motion.

King Kong managed to combine the genres of horror and fantasy, leading a trend of giant monster movies, being the “father” of mythical characters such as Godzilla or Gamera.

Unwittingly, this giant became the ideal vehicle for escapism during a time of economic depression in U.S. Fantasy and horror were the perfect way to avoid thinking about the harsh reality of poverty.

Curious aspects:

In 1976 it was made the first remake of King Kong, starring Jessica Lange and Jeff Bridges. The second was in 2006, by with Naomi Watts and Jack Black, who had the most advanced digital effects, but none has managed to exceed the original magic.