IMDb >
King Kong (1933)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsKing Kong (1933) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 59 | slideshow) | Videos (see all 2) |
Overview
User Rating:
Writers:
Release Date:
7 April 1933 (USA)
more
Tagline:
A Monster of Creation's Dawn Breaks Loose in Our World Today! more
Plot:
A film crew goes to a tropical island for an exotic location shoot and discovers a colossal giant gorilla who takes a shine to their female blonde star. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
2 wins
&
3 nominations
more
NewsDesk:
(19 articles)
This is the Ape that Climbed the Empire State Building?
(From Cinematical. 27 November 2009, 7:45 AM, PST)
King Kong's metal skeleton sold for £120,000
(From The Guardian - Film News. 24 November 2009, 10:21 AM, PST)
(From Cinematical. 27 November 2009, 7:45 AM, PST)
King Kong's metal skeleton sold for £120,000
(From The Guardian - Film News. 24 November 2009, 10:21 AM, PST)
User Comments:
Some aspects of KING KONG people forget.
more (300 total)
Cast
(Complete credited cast)| Fay Wray | ... | Ann Darrow | |
| Robert Armstrong | ... | Carl Denham | |
| Bruce Cabot | ... | John Driscoll | |
| Frank Reicher | ... | Captain Englehorn | |
| Sam Hardy | ... | Charles Weston | |
| Noble Johnson | ... | Native Chief | |
| Steve Clemente | ... | Witch King (as Steve Clemento) | |
| James Flavin | ... | Second Mate Briggs | |
| King Kong | ... | The Eighth Wonder of the World |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
King Ape (USA) (working title)
Kong (USA) (working title)
The Ape (USA) (working title)
The Beast (USA) (working title)
The Eighth Wonder
The Eighth Wonder of the World
more
Kong (USA) (working title)
The Ape (USA) (working title)
The Beast (USA) (working title)
The Eighth Wonder
The Eighth Wonder of the World
more
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
100 min | 104 min (restored version)
Country:
Language:
Colour:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Photophone System)
Certification:
Canada:A (Nova Scotia) (video rating) |
Canada:G (Nova Scotia) (cut) |
Canada:G (Quebec) |
Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) |
Denmark:15 |
USA:Approved (certificate not issued at release) |
USA:Not Rated (video release) |
Brazil:Livre |
Finland:(Banned) (1933) (uncut) |
Finland:K-16 (1933) (cut) |
South Korea:12 (2003) |
USA:Passed (National Board of Review) |
USA:TV-PG (TV rating) |
Argentina:Atp |
Australia:PG |
Chile:TE |
France:U |
Germany:6 |
Norway:11 |
Spain:T |
Sweden:15 |
UK:PG
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Sensing a huge hit from industry buzz, MGM offered to buy the film outright from RKO for $1.072m (some $400,000 over its negative cost), figuring the little studio was reeling from losing $10+m in 1932. RKO was smart to decline the offer. The film smashed attendance records nationwide and ended up grossing $1.761m during its initial release. RKO would periodically, and extremely profitably, re-release the movie through the 1950s.
more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: As Kong puts Ann down atop the Empire State Building, a matte shot of the live actress replaces the animated model of Ann in Kong's paw, but the matte plainly cuts off a large corner of the shadow thrown by the paw on the building. The same error happens again a few minutes later.
more
Quotes:
Carl Denham:
Listen, there are dozens of girls in this town tonight that are in more danger than they'll ever see with me.
Jack Driscoll: Yeah, but they know that kind of danger.
more
Jack Driscoll: Yeah, but they know that kind of danger.
more
Soundtrack:
St. Louis Blues
more
FAQ
Why did the natives build such a huge door if they wanted to keep Kong out?How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
Is "King Kong" based on a book?
more
more (300 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for King Kong (1933) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| King Kong | King Kong | The Son of Kong | Mighty Joe Young | The Lost World |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb top 250 movies | IMDb Action section |
| IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |












First, the 1933 version of KING KONG, is for me, the greatest fantasy film ever made. Sure, there are fantasy films with far better special effects (THE MATRIX, JURASSIC PARK) better acting (the acting here is of the period!) but KING KONG is a film of tremendous excitement. The suspense, pacing, sensuality, violence all adds up to a blood pumping experience. We all read about the film's history, being made, released, censored, restored, and how it's been picked to itsy-bits by every arm-chair film "expert".
What very few film-makers have focused on is the film-making itself in KING KONG. It has superb build-up. We are wondering what is on the island as we approach it. Then we wonder what is behind the wall on the island. Then we wonder what gigantic beast is sharing that frightening jungle with the rescuers, trying to save Fay Wray. The film is faultlessly edited. Many scenes begin or end with people running for their lives. Unneeded scenes just don't exsist (we go from Kong knocked out on Skull Island to his Broadway debut. We don't need to see what happens inbetween!) then there's Max Steiner's perfect music score. Before KONG, most music scores were borrowed snippets of classical or popular themes, but Steiner's score follows the action to an inch! Also, he does a great number of abstract musical strokes (I.e the clash of drums when Kong beats the giant snake to it's death. The lovely string piece that jumps to pulsating chase music in a milli-second.) When I hear of a friend say they never saw this film, it's like hearing a child say they never had ice cream. Long Live Kong!