How King Kong was Filmed
The Arts | Available (Membership Required)
RKO Radio Pictures released the film "King Kong" in 1933, just six years after the first "talkie" movie. And still, 77 years later, Rotten Tomatoes ranked it as the No.1 horror picture of all time. In this single session, we will take a look at how multiple innovations came together in the filming of this classic. Several models of the giant ape were made, some miniature that could fit on an end table, and some full-sized that had to be mounted on a flatbed truck. Numerous special effects were created, improved, and combined in the same shot. The large sets were either built, borrowed, or reused. The sound track featured diverse sound effects, Faye Wray's screams, and the first full musical film score.
Bill Blaker
Bill Blaker is retired after a 45-year career as a research scientist and university professor. He has received teaching awards from Virginia Tech and Furman University. He has taught university courses in general science, biology, anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, neuroscience, English composition, statistics, and philosophy. Now, he teaches anything he finds interesting.