Released – March, 1933 

Directed By - Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack

Starring- Fay Wray (Ann Darrow), Robert Armstrong (Carl Denham), Bruce Cabot (John Driscoll).

Description- Actress Ann Darrow agrees to star in a new film directed by Carl Denham set to be filmed on mysterious Skull Island in the Indian Ocean. During the voyage, Ann meets and falls in love with First Mate John Driscoll.

Upon their arrival on the island, Ann is kidnapped by the island natives who intend to sacrifice her to Kong, a giant gorilla-like creature. She is tied to an alter for this purpose, but when Kong shows up he does not kill her. It seems as though beauty has slain the beast as Kong takes her to his jungle lair.

Denham, Driscoll, and the crew set out to rescue Ann. Along the way they encounter dinosaurs resulting in the loss of many of the men. The remaining men find the giant gorilla’s lair and Driscoll is able to free Ann.

This enrages Kong who destroys the native village in his efforts to get Ann back. The men are able to subdue Kong through the use of gas grenades and plan on taking him back to New York, exhibit him and make a fortune.

These actions set the scene for the famous climax on the Empire State Building.

NOTABLE: In 1991 King Kong was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

When director Cooper spoke with Fay Wray about appearing in this picture he described her leading man as being the “tallest, darkest leading man in Hollywood.”

King Kong’s roar was created by modifying the sounds of lions and tigers.

The film grossed $90,000 on opening weekend; the biggest opening of its time.

Entertainment Weekly voted King Kong the 47th Greatest Film of all time.

RKO Pictures had lost over $10 million in 1932 and it is believed that this picture saved the studio from bankruptcy.

Personal Note: King Kong is one of many jungle films made since 1915. The jungle action/ adventure film was to remain popular with audiences for decades.

I can’t image that there are many film fans that have never seen a King Kong movie; however, this is the original and the greatest King Kong movie of all time. This is a spectacular classic!

King Kong

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Released – September, 1932 

Directed By - Irving Pichel, Ernest B. Schoedsack

Starring - Joel McCrea (Robert ‘Bob’ Rainsford), Fay Wray (Eve Trowbridge), Leslie Banks (Count Zaroff), Robert Armstrong (Martin Trowbridge).

Description – Author and big game hunter Bob Rainsford swims toward a small island after becoming the only survior of a shipwreck that may not have been accidental.

On the island, Bob becomes the guest of fellow hunting enthusiast Count Zaroff. It seems that there has been another shipwreck with four of its survivors also staying with the Russian Count. Zaroff explains his background to his guests as that of a former hunter who has sustained a head wound from a Cape buffalo and is now only interested in hunting “the most dangerous game”.

Bob and fellow guest Eve Trowbridge grow suspicious of the Count’s intentions when two other guests mysteriously disappear. While searching for the missing, Bob and Eve find the Count’s trophy room with a human head mounted on the wall.

It is now frighteningly clear just how the “most dangerous game” is played.

NOTABLE: Costing only $200,000 to make, The Most Dangerous Game made more profit for RKO than the much more expensive King Kong.

This film was the screen debut for actor Leslie Banks.

Count Zaroff’s dogs were Great Danes borrowed from comedian Harold Lloyd.

Actor Noble Johnson, who played Ivan the Cossack, was believed to be the first Afro-American to play in “whiteface” as a Caucasian.

The Most Dangerous Game (Colorized / Black & White)

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Released - March, 1932 

Directed By - W. S. Van Dyke

Starring - Johnny Weissmuller (Tarzan), Neil Hamilton (Harry Holt), Maureen O’Sullivan (Jane Parker), C. Aubrey Smith (James Parker).

Description – On an expedition to Africa in search of the ivory tusks found in the elephant graveyard, James Parker and Harry Holt are unexpectedly joined by Parker’s daughter Jane.

It is during the expedition that they encounter a white man living among the apes. Holt, who is strongly attracted to Jane, tries to protect her from the dangers of Africa and from this strange white man called Tarzan.

Meaning no harm, Tarzan kidnaps Jane more out of curiosity than anything else. Jane is understandably frightened and soon released by Tarzan, but finds that she for some unknown reason misses him.

Not long after, the expeditions party is captured by a tribe of pygmies and dependant on Tarzan for help.

NOTABLE: This was the first Tarzan film to star Johnny Weissmuller, easily the most recognizable Tarzan in the long series.

This film also provided the introduction of Cheetah as Tarzan’s chimpanzee friend. The animal character of Cheetah was not in any of the famed Edgar Rice Burroughs novels.

Clark Gable was considered for the role of Tarzan, but at the time was considered too unknown.

The famous line “me Tarzan, you Jane” never actually was spoken in the film.

Tarzan’s famous yell was actually an Australian yodel played backwards at a higher speed and voiced by sound recordist Douglas Shearer.

Included in The Tarzan Collection – Johnny Weissmuller

Personal Note: This film and the others in The Tarzan Collection were Saturday Matinee specials when I grew up and a great deal of fun. I have recently purchased this set and will be showing them to the grandchildren.

The Tarzan Collection Starring Johnny Weissmuller (Tarzan the Ape Man / Escapes / and His Mate / Finds a Son / Secret Treasure / New York Adventure)

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Released - November, 1930 

Directed By - Josef von Sternberg

Starring – Gary Cooper (Legionnaire Tom Brown), Marlene Dietrich (Mademoiselle Amy Jolly), Adolphe Menjou (Monsieur La Bessiere).

Description – The Foreign Legion arrives in Mogador the same time as sultry singer Amy Jolly arrives from Paris to work at Lo Tinto’s cabaret.  The mutual attraction felt by Legionnaire Tom Brown and Amy leads to romance.

With both having past love affairs that have failed, they believe that they may have finally found true love.  It is now that Tom has found out that he is to be called to duty on a very dangerous assignment. 

NOTABLE: This film was nominated for four Oscars, winning two.  Marlene Dietrich for Best Actress, and Josef von Sternberg for Best Director.

Amazingly, Marlene Dietrich knew very little English and delivered her lines phonetically.

This film was selected to the National Film Registry, Library of Congress, in 1992.

Included in Marlene Dietrich – The Glamour Collection 

Buy Here Marlene Dietrich – The Glamour Collection (Morocco/ Blonde Venus/ The Devil Is a Woman/ Flame of New Orleans/ Golden Earrings)

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