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IMDbPro

Mighty Joe Young

  • 19491949
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 34m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
5.4K
YOUR RATING
Mighty Joe Young (1949)
Man vs. beast in this trailer
Play trailer1:39
1 Video
52 Photos
AdventureDramaFantasy
A young woman who has raised a giant gorilla from an infant brings him to Hollywood years later seeking her fortune.A young woman who has raised a giant gorilla from an infant brings him to Hollywood years later seeking her fortune.A young woman who has raised a giant gorilla from an infant brings him to Hollywood years later seeking her fortune.
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
5.4K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Ernest B. Schoedsack
  • Writers
    • Ruth Rose(screenplay)
    • Merian C. Cooper(from an original story by)
  • Stars
    • Terry Moore
    • Ben Johnson
    • Robert Armstrong
  • Director
    • Ernest B. Schoedsack
  • Writers
    • Ruth Rose(screenplay)
    • Merian C. Cooper(from an original story by)
  • Stars
    • Terry Moore
    • Ben Johnson
    • Robert Armstrong
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 87User reviews
    • 46Critic reviews
    • 61Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 1 win & 3 nominations total

    Videos1

    Mighty Joe Young (1949)
    Trailer 1:39
    Watch Mighty Joe Young (1949)

    Photos52

    Terry Moore and Mr. Joseph Young in Mighty Joe Young (1949)
    Mighty Joe Young (1949)
    Mr. Joseph Young in Mighty Joe Young (1949)
    Mr. Joseph Young in Mighty Joe Young (1949)
    Mighty Joe Young (1949)
    Mighty Joe Young (1949)
    Mighty Joe Young (1949)
    Mighty Joe Young (1949)
    Mighty Joe Young (1949)
    Mighty Joe Young (1949)
    Mighty Joe Young (1949)
    Mighty Joe Young (1949)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Terry Moore
    Terry Moore
    • Jill Young
    Ben Johnson
    Ben Johnson
    • Gregg
    Robert Armstrong
    Robert Armstrong
    • Max O'Hara
    Mr. Joseph Young
    Mr. Joseph Young
    • Self
    Frank McHugh
    Frank McHugh
    • Windy
    Douglas Fowley
    Douglas Fowley
    • Jones
    Denis Green
    • Crawford
    Paul Guilfoyle
    Paul Guilfoyle
    • Smith
    Nestor Paiva
    Nestor Paiva
    • Brown
    Regis Toomey
    Regis Toomey
    • John Young
    Lora Lee Michel
    Lora Lee Michel
    • Jill Young, as a Girl
    James Flavin
    James Flavin
    • Schultz
    Mary Gordon
    Mary Gordon
    • Old Woman
    • (unconfirmed)
    Iris Adrian
    Iris Adrian
    • Gloria
    • (uncredited)
    Bobby Barber
    Bobby Barber
    • Diner Patron
    • (uncredited)
    Pat Barton
    Pat Barton
    • Cigarette Girl
    • (uncredited)
    Ian Batchelor
    • Strongman
    • (uncredited)
    Sharon Bell
    • Girl
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Ernest B. Schoedsack
    • Writers
      • Ruth Rose(screenplay)
      • Merian C. Cooper(from an original story by)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This was the first feature film to which Ray Harryhausen contributed stop-motion animation effects.
    • Goofs
      Joe's size varies immensely throughout film.
    • Quotes

      Windy: Who do you think's gonna get the worst of this - Maxie, or Africa?

    • Crazy credits
      Opening credits cast list: "AND Mr. Joseph Young As Himself"
    • Alternate versions
      Also available in a computer colorized version.
    • Connections
      Edited into Not with My Wife, You Don't! (1966)
    • Soundtracks
      Beautiful Dreamer
      (uncredited)

      Written by Stephen Foster

    User reviews87

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    Decent stop-motion adventure
    MIGHTY JOE YOUNG is essentially a smaller, pared-down re-run of KING KONG, with everything taking place on a smaller scale and perhaps a slightly younger audience in mind. It's nevertheless an extremely watchable and at times powerful piece, one that's at its best when depicting the worst of human nature; namely Joe's transformation from king of the jungle to a side-show freak.

    Such films are inevitably dated now, presenting a view of a world long forgotten. Despite this, MIGHTY JOE YOUNG is gripping and exhilarating in equal measure. The opening sequences are slightly twee, but once the action shifts to Hollywood it gets better and better, especially the extended "will they make it?" climax. The scene with the burning building is an incredibly complex set-piece and one which is executed beautifully.

    KING KONG guru Willis O'Brien was the guy headlining this production, but by all accounts stop-motion king Ray Harryhausen did most of the work, and Joe is one of his best creations; not only is he a realistic monster, but like the best of the stop-motion beasties, he's a recognisable character too, and one you empathise with. The rest of the production is well-paced and well-made, with a level of finesse raising it above the level of the competition.
    helpful•6
    1
    • Leofwine_draca
    • Sep 2, 2013

    FAQ3

    • What is 'Mighty Joe Young' about?
    • Is 'Mighty Joe Young' based on a book?
    • How does the movie end?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 29, 1949 (Sweden)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Swahili
    • Also known as
      • Mr. Joesph Young of Africa
    • Filming locations
      • Thousand Oaks, California, USA(nightclub sequence with lions)
    • Production company
      • Argosy Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,800,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 34 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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