King Kong (1933), dirs. Merian C. Cooper/Ernest B. Schoedsack, RKO Radio Pictures
Still with Fay Wray, but we're also transitioning to another feature, that of the kaiju or giant monster. This wasn't the first but brother did it set the standard for the next twenty years.
Carl Denham (Robert Armstrong) is a filmmaker, although huckster seems more apt. He's chartered a ship to an unknown island. Captain Englehorn (Frank Reicher) and First Mate Jack Driscoll (Bruce Cabot) are less than pleased but the money is good.
There's a snag though. What Denham needs to complete his picture is beauty, specifically a gorgeous gal what can fill out a dress and scream on cue. He strikes gold when he spots a down on her luck Anne (Wray) nearly getting caught for stealing an apple.
They set sail the next day, but it isn't until several days into the journey that they learn where they are going. Denham has a map to a remote South Seas island known as 'Skull Island', rumored to be home to a collection monsters not seen by man for millions of years.
They arrive and find out if anything the stories failed to show the sheer scope of the wildlife. The only natives on the island leave fearfully near a massive wall. Interrupting a ceremony, the crew stumble upon what appears to be either a marriage or a sacrifice to something called 'Kong". The tribe is offended greatly, but they decide if they can have Anne they'll it fair. The crew is reluctant to agree to this.
The village doesn't care and they abduct Anne that night. Denham and a good chunk of the crew assemble and head off into the island interior. They don't far before they discover just what the native meant by 'Kong'.
From there almost nonstop action featuring some of the most incredible special effects for 1933. Anne is rescued and Kong is captured. A happy ending, right?
Nope. Denham figures a giant monkey in the hand is worth a dozen in the bush, so off he goes to parade Kong before the public in New York City. What could possible go wrong?
Utterly breathtaking and the special effects still hold up. The climax is no doubt the most original one I had ever seen and it truely sets the standard and raises the bar for all giant monsters.
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