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The Ghoulish Guidance Archive
Dear Spiffy
Was King Kong a true story?
-Rusty
Dear Rusty,
Woof! Wah-wah-woo!
-Spiffy
TRANSLATION:
Dear Rusty,
Yes, King Kong is loosely based on true events, but as is always the case, the filmmakers took some artistic license with the story. Most of the film is accurate, except the ending. Here's what really happened:
When King Kong arrived in New York City in 1933, he immediately became the darling of wealthy society, and was wined and dined in the finest restaurants and homes. He was "discovered" by George and Ira Gershwin while attending a debutante ball and as a tribute to his majesty, they wrote a show for him. Kong starred in "Gorilla Crazy", a play about a rich New York playboy falling in love with a Gorilla ten times his size. It was the longest running musical of the 1930s and both Kong and his co-star Ray Bolger went on to win Tony awards for their performances. It was just the beginning for Kong.
Kong's overnight success drove him to seek more serious, dramatic roles and he won the title role of Hamlet at the Broadway Theatre in 1938. The play enjoyed a long run and glowing reviews, but Kong was growing weary of New York's climate. In 1942 he retired from the stage and returned to his home on Skull Island to open an all-inclusive resort, where he graciously employed Carl Denham as a cabana boy until Carl's death in 1950. Kong still lives there today with his family and a small, spotted brachiosaur named O'Brien. The resort is open year 'round and air/hotel packages can be arranged through your travel agent.
-Spiffy
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