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 | psychotronic film | 

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Taglines:

SEE them ALL! THE CANNIBALS! THE SEA SERPENT! The 12 Foot Ape with the Human Heart! (Print Ad- Advance-News, ((Ogdensburg NY)) 28 January 1934)

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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)

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

During the production of this film, the wife of Kong animator Willis O'Brien fatally shot their two sons and then tried to take her own life. She survived her attempted suicide, but this incident all but destroyed O'Brien. After this, he steadfastly refused to discuss this film. O'Brien's protege, Ray Harryhausen, had many questions about the making of this film, but they remained unanswered, as the memories were far too painful to relive. Willis O'Brien passed away in 1962.

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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: [after hearing about the last trip to Kong's island] He expect *us* to go ashore?
[gestures to Denham]
Helstrom: Sure. He's got to have a bodyguard, hasn't he? Say, you know there were a dozen sailors killed on the last voyage he made here?
Red: Killed? By them animals?
Helstrom: Yeah. But, you see Denham and the Skipper came out all right. Ah, but you don't have to worry. There are plenty of rifles aboard.
[suggestively]
Helstrom: If *I* were captain, I certainly wouldn't take my crew into danger.

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Crazy Credits

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

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Connections

Features King Kong (1933)

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Soundtracks

The Runaway Blues
(uncredited)
Music by Max Steiner
Lyrics by Edward Eliscu
Played on guitar and sung by Helen Mack

User Reviews

Fairly Good Sequel to a Classic

This was a pretty decent sequel to one of the greatest films of all time. Of course, when it first came out it was pretty much a flop. This was due to the fact that it had a lot to live up to, especially since it was released just a relatively short time after the original Kong was released. However, taken alone this film does hold up well as a nice little adventure film and for a change of pace the big ape is not a vicious and destructive creature, but rather a cute and gentle imp who when pushed is a fighter. Also, what is nice about this film is the fact that Denham gets the girl for a change. In the original he was too driven to have a relationship, but at least in this film you are allowed to see his softer side. This film, though not a classic like its predecessor, is still a great film.