The Son of Kong (1933)

The men who captured the giant ape King Kong return to Skull Island and find his likewise gigantic but far more friendly son.

Director:

Ernest B. Schoedsack

Writer:

Ruth Rose (story)

Stars:

Robert Armstrong, Helen Mack, Frank Reicher

3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Robert Armstrong	...	Carl Denham
Helen Mack	...	Hilda
Frank Reicher	...	Capt. Englehorn
John Marston	...	Captain Nils Helstrom
Victor Wong	...	Charlie - Chinese Cook
Ed Brady	...	Red

Storyline

After the disastrous results of his last expedition, Carl Denham leaves New York aboard a ship to escape all the trouble. After a mutiny, he and a few companions are left behind on Skull island, where they meet a smaller relative of King Kong and make friends with him.

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Plot Keywords:

diamond | cigar smoking | deception | 1930s | king kong | 

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Taglines:

The Twelve Foot Ape Befriended them On the Island of King Kong!

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 December 1933 (USA)

Also Known As:

Son of Kong

Filming Locations:

Santa Catalina Island, Channel Islands, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$250,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$1,342,880

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

70 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Recordings of Fay Wray's screams from King Kong (1933) were used in this movie.

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Goofs

When Little Kong fights the Nothosaurus in the cavern following the discovery of the treasure they are both reflected in the glass used in the process shot superimposed on Denham and the girl in the background.

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Quotes

Red: Throw him overboard with the rest of the captains.

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Crazy Credits

The opening titles announce the film as "a serio-comic phantasy".

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Connections

Referenced in Futurama: Anthology of Interest I (2000)

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Soundtracks

The Billboard
(uncredited)
Music by John Klohr
Played on guitar by Helene when the audience is leaving after the show

User Reviews

Will daddy Kong be proud?

Brought out within the same year, the quickly handled sequel "The Son of Kong" would pale in comparison to its milestone original, but would remain enjoyably lightweight with a more prominent comic tone and consisting of a mildly robustness to the action. Too bad it just goes on to rush things, then actually thinking it out because the story isn't as compelling as it could have been. Little creativity shows, despite its stringy sub-plots. The story follows on from "King Kong", as promoter/producer Carl Denham finds himself in a lot of hot water for introducing Kong to New York. So to escape the lawsuits and reporters, he and the sea captain end heading out to sea. Although things change when they're told there's treasure on Skull Island, and before coming across this they encounter a miniature Kong.

After an amusing opening (Denham hiding out) it only goes on to feel like its slogging it out in an stretched out manner, until the lively nature picks up (when they reach Skull island --- which takes them quite awhile) and then it breezes by in no time. Kong's son doesn't have that menace and uncontrollable aggression like father… instead it has a child's temperament; curious, lovable and friendly. Due to that there's little in the way of dark moments and the suspense is faintly structured, with a more playful style winning out and these three stooges antics is even played up to the camera. *Shrug*. Nonetheless the interactions especially between Denham and baby Kong remains charming, if goofy. Even the wrestlemania between Kong and prehistoric beasties can be diverting, if lacking the punch. The likable Robert Armstrong, Frank Reicher and Victor Wong effortlessly reprise their roles. Helen Mack is okay as the female siren. Ernest B. Schoedsack's steadfast direction is measurably controlled due to obvious time/budget constrictions, but decent animation FX is used for Kong.