Original and Remake: King Kong

May's Original and Remake is King Kong. There are three big screen adaptations the original from 1933, a 1976 version and a 2005 version. So let's begin. 

King Kong (1933)

Directed By: Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack

Starring: Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong, Bruce Cabot

Running Time: 100 Minutes

King Kong (1976)

Directed By: John Guillermin

Starring: Jeff Bridges, Charles Grodin, Jessica Lange

Running Time: 134 Minutes

King Kong (2005)

Directed By: Peter Jackson

Starring: Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrien Brody

Running Time: 187 Minutes

Out of all these versions the original is my tired and true pick. There's nothing wrong with  technicolor movies in general but the black and white version just seems so much more thrilling. The 1976 version completely changes and instead of a director looking to make a movie on a remote island it's now the head of an oil company discovering oil on this remote island and honestly that plot just seems silly. The 2005 version sticks to the original 1933 version more. I do like the fact that the costume designer really paid attention to the 1930's and made costumes that fit the era. But that's about all I care for, for that version. It's a lot of action and it's too loud. Which I know sounds funny as it is an action movie but there's almost too much in this version. As for who plays the best damsel in distress? Fay Wray wins it. While I think both Jessica and Naomi are great actresses there's just something about Fay that really clicks. And obviously Fay was the best 'screamer' out of all three ladies. The 1930's were big on monster and horror films, you had Universal Studios with Frankenstein, Dracula, The Mummy, and The Invisible Man and King Kong was just another monster movie added to the list. I want to point out that King Kong is actually an RKO Picture not Universal as I always thought it was. One fun fact for you after Jessica Lange made the 1976 King Kong she took a 3-year break and focused on her acting craft. Several film reviewers gave her negative reviews and critic Marshall Fine was quoted as saying "It almost destroyed her career." So if you are to see only one version it's the original 1933 one. 

Until Next Time,

Ashley A.