Posted on 03/02/2020 6:21:20 PM PST by Maceman
Classic film fans will have something unique to celebrate this March, which will see the return of the original King Kong to theaters for a nationwide, one-day engagement for the first time since 1956. The 1933 film will screen at more than 600 theaters nationwide on Sunday, March 15 via Fathom Events, with tickets available now, as part of Turner Classic Movies’ Big Screen Classics series.
The press release for the screening points out that the last time King Kong was re-released, back in 1956, “Dwight D. Eisenhower was President, the average movie ticket cost 59 cents, and not a single man-made item was orbiting the Earth.” My how times change, right?
The 1933 film, directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack, features cutting-edge stop-motion special effects work from the pioneering Willis O’Brien, the stop-motion wiz who would also serve as the mentor for FX maestro Ray Harryhausen, who kept the stop-motion flag flying into the 1970s and 1980s. The film was an obvious pick for the best horror/monster movie of 1933 in our Century of Terror series last year, and stood as a filmmaking achievement that on many fronts wasn’t surpassed for decades afterward. Certainly, no film that was reliant on FX could avoid comparison to King Kong for the next 20 years, much as films released after 1977 couldn’t avoid comparison to the likes of Star Wars.
“The original theatrical version of King Kong is back to dazzle the digital era with it’s all-analog marvels,” reads the TCM/Fathom press release. “Adding to this rare cinematic event, TCM Primetime Host Ben Mankiewicz will offer all-new insight and commentary on one of the most well-known, influential (and still thrilling) films of all time. The dazzling adventure features groundbreaking stop-motion animation by Willis O’Brien—visual effects that remain astonishing even in spite of the computer-generated advances made since the original release of King Kong nearly 90 years ago. The film stars Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong, Bruce Cabot, and features a lush score by legendary composer Max Steiner.”
The modern King Kong reboot universe, meanwhile, is next headed toward Godzilla vs. Kong, a loose remake of 1962’s Japanese King Kong vs. Godzilla, which saw its release date pushed back to this November after the somewhat disappointing box office of Godzilla: King of the Monsters. The Adam Wingard-directed Godzilla vs. Kong is currently scheduled for a Nov. 20, 2020 release.
He didn’t dance or party
He spoke at times, but hardly
One woman heard his love call
But he was too big and too tall
He will be banned from the screen for his racist treatment of biplanes.
I think Albert Broccoli did it noticeably first in the Bond pictures.
TCM did a bio on him called “I am King Kong” that was quite good. Another really good bio is one is on John Milius called ‘Milius’. Same type of a mans man! Sam Elliot has a great line on Milius, “He doesn’t make movies for pussys, he makes them for men!”
https://www.fathomevents.com/categories/classics
Near Culpeper Va, the Library of Congress has a building where there restore and warehouse old movies. They get the nitrate film and clean it up as best they can, then they make a digital copy. Sometimes, they show the movie in their very own theater. No charge for admittance but it is first come and first served. Last year they cleaned up King Kong and I watched it in their theater. Quite a show! The cleaned up movie on the big screen.
If you are nearby, check out the Packard Theater at Mt. Pony and see their schedule of movies to be shown.
The building goes deep in the ground and once belonged to the Federal Reserve. Later, after Uncle Sam bought it, Cheney was squirreled away there during the 9-ll attack.
Er, I am sorry. I mean when some people did something.
You can download it online. iTunes has it for $9.99 to own, $2.99 to rent. For fun to watch it repeatedly any time you want. I also use a 2010 Mac Mini, although my 2012 Mac Mini plays digital movies better (faster graphics).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIBDomdpK7Y
“Then I must be King Kong” (From Inglourious Basterds) - I love this scene
Got my tickets. Thanks! The best seats were already taken.
Funny!
A very cool gesture. Something you wouldn't see in today's NYC.
Back in the silent era a film would be copyrighted before 1912 when the studio sent a paper copy of the film to the Library of Congress. These paper prints deteriorated over time, but some have been laboriously restored. In the mid ‘70s I went to a showing of one such restored paper negative at the Library of Congress which attended by Lillian Gish. I was very impressed by her beauty and poise, even at that age.
Poland made a movie based on Cooper’s role in the Freeing of Poland from the OG Bernie Bros, but the Soviets destroyed the copies in WWII. That is a shame, especially if they used the original planes in the movie.
At the time it was the most expensive movie ever made in Poland.
Getting kicked out of the Naval academy, Chasing Pancho villa in Texas, getting shot down and captured in WWI, the Polish Liberation from the Soviets, visualizing transatlantic Airline service, Hollywood and King kong, WWII in India and China, back to Hollywood to root out communists.
He lived life to the fullest.
Is this the one starring Helen Thomas as Kong? She certainly was well qualified to play the part.
Im sure the racist cry will be following
I wish I had known! Oh Well. You made someone very happy. :-)
2010 MAC Mini...a kindred spirit! :-)
Thanks for the info.
Yes but will they have the spider scene?
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