If you think sequels are a side effect of the modern era, you are absolutely incorrect. For proof of this, let’s take a look at the subject of this article: 1933’s Son of Kong, which gives the audience another take on monsters, making this version of Kong a bit more . . . fun and lovable.
Fast-tracked by RKO due to the monster success of King Kong and written by Ruth Rose (who blessed us all with the screenplay for the original film), Son of Kong is often dismissed by fans of the original who really don’t want to see Carl Denham (a returning and rather remorseful Robert Armstrong) redeemed at all for how he treated King Kong in the original film.
I must confess, I have often publicly railed against this film in the past. Oh, how wrong I was. Perhaps I have grown softer in my old age. I’ve heard it happens to us all. But, for whatever reason, this visit back to Skull Island hit me in a way that it never has before: I was absolutely touched by Denham’s desire to do right by Kong’s supposed 12-foot tall son. It was also fun seeing him strike up a romance with Hilda Petersen (Helen Mack), whom he meets singing alongside some performing monkeys (which her father trained) at the Dutch seaport of Dakang.
Wait. How’d the Kong-killing ol’ fool get there? Fleeing from the press, you see. The film starts out in New York City and it’s only been one month since King Kong was shot and killed and fell from the Empire State Building. And the press being the press won’t let the story or Denham go. They want answers to their questions and Denham, who is publicly shamed almost everywhere he goes, escapes the country thanks to the efforts of Captain Englehorn (Frank Reicher) and Charlie, the cook (Victor Wong), who still have a soft spot for Denham’s assholish ways.
I mean, he is a tool and, as he is enticed to return to Skull Island when Helstrom (John Marston) the man who gave him the mysterious map turns up in the same bar Englehorn and Denham are having drinks in. Turns out, Helstrom killed Hilda’s father and is desperately wanting to get far, far away so why not mention there’s treasure on Skull Island that they could all split?
It works and before you can say BAD IDEA they are all setting sail for a return visit to Skull Island . . . for treasure. But, as this is an island filled with rather large and mysterious creatures, they are all in for a BIG surprise when a 12-foot tall ape makes an appearance and needs medical care.
Little Kong has hurt his finger and it will be Denham to bandage it, apologize for what he did to his daddy, and . . . well . . . manage to get him killed. Oh, man. Now, before you start setting fire to stuff, hear me out. Yes, Denham is a fool. But, throughout most of Son of Kong, his foolishness is low key and stays that way . . . until they get their hands on the treasure which Helstrom originally made up to get away from the scene of the crime.
Yes, Skull Island has giant dinosaurs AND jewels!
But, honestly, while the film is about the redemption of Carl Denham, there’s a whole new character involved which definitely steals the show from under his feet and that’s the creation of Little Kong. He’s friendly; playful; and seems to be a bit of a show-off as he flexes for the camera when he takes down a giant bear. He’s also albino which - in glorious black-and-white - leaves quite the impression thanks to the expert stop-motion work from Willis O'Brien, which is not as extensive as it was in the original film, but is somehow crisper and more natural in its movement.
There are good chase sequences as some of the crew is chased into a crevice to hide from a rampaging Styracosaurus and, of course, the creature takedowns - with Little Kong getting the best views - are both entertaining and violent. Clocking in at a quick 70-minutes, Son of Kong believably advances the original Kong storyline and sees Carl Denham, not as a hero, but as a flawed man who, after being attacked by a Nothosaurus, gets rescued by the lovable Little Kong when the island is ripped apart by a volcano and starts to sink into the sea.
It’s definitely a touching moment to see Denham being held above the water by the single hand of Little Kong, who sacrifices his life to save Denham’s but it’s also poetic in its visual reach, occupying free rent in my brain for years and years to come.
With special effects by Buzz Gibson and Willis O'Brien, director Ernest B. Schoedsack tackles Ruth Rose’s script with good insight and entices the audience with a 12-foot version of Kong who – as he is kinder and a bit gentler – ends up committing a most selfless act of courage for the redemption of the man who took his papa from the island.
It’s a profound move. One that defies explanation but, when it comes to the salvation of the asshole nature in Denham, absolutely works to leave us with a haunting reminder concerning our furry friends. All of them.
There is no denying that, with each passing year, this movie only gets better and better. I will fight to the last breath arguing that it is more significant today then during the original release and, now that it is sporting a brand-new HD sheen, there is no denying that it’s more than artifacts from another era; it is a living and breathing testimony to the power of the imagination. Simply put, you NEED this release for the betterment of your health.
Son of Kong is now on a bare-bones blu-ray release from Warner Brothers.
Home Video Distributor: Warner Bros.
Available on Blu-ray - October 27, 2015
Screen Formats: 1.37:1
Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish
Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio Mono; Spanish: Dolby Digital Mono
Discs: Blu-ray Disc; single disc
Region Encoding: Region-free playback
The filmmakers who created King Kong kept the excitement going in this sequel featuring Kong’s son, a 12-footer with a winning personality and awesome strength.
Video
Warner Bros newly-minted 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer is crisp with detailed black-and-white clarity. The films, while old, shimmer with defined lines like never seen before. Sure, some show their age but there is nothing worth scoffing at here.. There are some scratches and a couple of scenes of dirt and other debris in the lens but, for the most part, the prints have never looked better. The black levels are deep and consistent and the detail is to the middle range of fine.
Audio
The DTS-HD Master Audio Mono tracks keeps things active, just not busy with additional artifacts in the field of sound.
Supplements:
Commentary:
- None
Special Features:
There is one theatrical trailer.
- Original Trailer
MPAA Rating: Passed.
Runtime: 70 mins
Director: Ernest B. Schoedsack
Writer: Ruth Rose
Cast: Robert Armstrong; Helen Mack; Frank Reicher
Genre: Thriller | Sci-fi
Tagline:
Memorable Movie Quote: "You'll never catch a monkey that way."
Theatrical Distributor: Warner Bros.
Official Site:
Release Date: December 22, 1933
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: October 27, 2015
Synopsis: The showman who brought Kong to New York returns to Skull Island and finds Kong's son, a spunky 12-footer with a winning personality and his dad's awesome strength.
