The 'rise and fall' of King Kong
The effect of the original black and white film (made in 1933) on young viewers like this writer in the '60s can be described in one word -- stupefying. To a student of class seven -- naive and least exposed to the world of special effects -- King Kong was real, the jungle was real, the primitive people of the jungle were real and the animals were real. As far as I remember, it was in Shabistan cinema hall in Old Dhaka where the movie was released for the umpteenth time in the '60s. Like most others, my initial emotion was one of fear, shock and awe at the prowess of the beast. But as the story progressed along, everyone started to feel a little differently about it. Something was amiss somewhere, and there was a strange change that one could discern in Kong after he finds this Caucasian woman in his jungle.
Was the beast trying to say something to her? The brilliant story now treaded into a difficult area of human and animal relationship, of the desire of a lonesome animal for a mate, of the maltreatment animals received from humans and so on. As a result, Kong could touch a chord in your heart in a strange way. Despite his awesome encounters with his enemies in the jungle, you feel his loneliness, his desire for a company, his frustration at being alone in a hostile world and his anger for the greed of the diminutive creatures called humans when they cage him for display. Very naturally you feel a lump in your throat as the fearless king of the jungle falls from a great height and dies in the concrete jungle made by humans.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The story of this classic adventure was written jointly by Merian C Cooper and Edgar Wallace. (Edgar Wallace however became famous later by writing some cloak and dagger stories). Cooper and Ernest B Schoedsack jointly directed and produced the film. Fay Wray as Ann Darrow became famous as the helpless damsel in the palm of the gigantic, 50-foot Kong.
The screenplay was done by James Ashmore Creelman and Ruth Rose. Struggling with the budget, Cooper and Schoedsack used the jungle set from their film The Most Dangerous Game (1932).
Surprisingly, this highly entertaining and remarkable film received no Academy Awards nominations. Many experts feel that it would have won in the 'Special Effects' category had there been such a category at that time. According to the critics the film had many technical innovations for its period such as rear projection, miniature models (about 18 inches in height) and trick photography.
Well, that's all about the film King Kong made in 1933. After that many attempts were made to surpass the original film. Director John Guillermin made King Kong in 1976 starring Jessica Lange in the famous role of Ann. The film was a super flop. And now we have the latest one being shown in Dhaka. I have heard that it is a much better production. But I am happy with my memory of the original King Kong. I believe the original can never be surpassed. So I have decided to get me a CD of the 1933 version and relive the fond memories.