March, 1933 – The RKO production of King Kong is proving to be nothing less than an epic entertainment adventure for the films opening audiences at Radio City Music Hall.

While starring Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong, and Bruce Cabot, it is Kong himself who is the real star. The gargantuan gorilla is brilliantly brought to life and the big screen by renowned animator Willis O’Brien.

The larger-than-life creature was created using six 18-inch-high models consisting of a metal skeletal frame, rabbit fur skin, and sponge-rubber muscles. The close-up filming was done using a giant bust of Kong controlled by three men from the inside.

The rousing adventure begins on a skull-shaped island and delivers a first-rate climax in the heart of New York City. King Kong is beauty and the beast on a grand scale that is destined to thrill movie-going audiences for all time.

March, 1933 – The Hollywood Code of Production went into effect in February, 1930 and three years later it has been determined that stricter enforcement is necessary. No date has been set for this change, but there is no doubt that the effect on movie-making will be a negative one. 

Why the change? Certain films and stars have drawn the censor’s attention. The completion of 1932′s Scarface was delayed several months over censorship issue’s regarding the glorification of the gangster lifestyle and excessive violence.

Jean Harlow, MGM’s sexiest new star, raised a few eyebrows alongside handsome Clark Gable in the romantic Red Dust, and Mae West snubbed censorship issue’s with sexual parody in She Done Him Wrong.

Is anyone safe? Apparently not, even popular cartoon character Betty Boop has found herself under the Code of Production magnifying glass after a theater owner allegedly complained about “smut in cartoons.”

It looks like the Hollywood Code of Production may be slipping into the ridiculous.

February, 1933 – The emergence of Mae West seems to be just what the doctor ordered for financially troubled Paramount Studios. Her first starring role in She Done Him Wrong, alongside the very popular Cary Grant, is blushingly entertaining audiences around the country. 

While the public loves every minute of the shapely star, not everyone is so happy. It seems the double meanings of Mae’s one-liners, along with West’s read-between-the-lines singing rendition’s of “I Like a Guy What Takes His Time,” and “I Wonder Where My Easy Rider’s Gone?” have offended some of the more self-righteous moral crusaders.

And how does Mae West feel about the controversy? Not a problem at all, and she has no intentions of reducing the sexual parody that is making her both very popular and very successful. As for Paramount, they couldn’t be happier. It is reported that the studio raised Mae West’s salary from $5,000 to $8,500 per week.

January, 1923 – David O. Selznick originally hoped to become an independent film producer during the time that Hollywood film production was being dominated by the major studios. As a result, Selznick started his career as an assistant producer for Paramount from 1928-1931. 

In October of 1931, David Sarnoff, then president of RCA which was owned by RKO, hired David O. Selznick to take control of RKO studio. Selznick did a very effective job getting the studio to run more efficiently and more profitably. However, this past December, a contract dispute with RKO led to his resignation.

MGM studio boss Louis B. Mayer, coincidentally Selznick’s father-in-law, hired him to produce pictures for MGM. The timing could not have been more perfect for both Selznick and MGM as Selznick wanted the work and the studio was looking to fill a production void created by the illness of Irving Thalberg.

October, 1932 - Clark Gable's had a great couple of years. After starting out as an extra and stage actor Clark Gable has become one of MGM's hottest properties. His latest film Red Dust stars Gable along with Jean Harlow in a Far East romance. 

So, how did this meteoric rise occur? It wasn't only his charming  good looks that sealed the deal. Credit must be given to MGM who, realizing they may have someone special, made a strong effort to sell the actor to the viewing public.

Gable appeared in over ten films in 1931 alone and had the huge benefit of being paired with some of the most talented leading ladies in all of Hollywood. Among them were Norma Shearer, Greta Garbo, and Joan Crawford.

The combination of MGM's effort along with a tremendous cast of leading ladies has truly sent Clark Gable to the top of the ranks of Hollywood leading men.