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King Kong and Kin Roar Again, and Mighty Joe Reunites with Terry Moore! Los Angeles 12-20-05
With Peter Jackson's gorgeous, 2005 Kong tearing up movie screens all over the world, the original King, and his cousin returned to Hollywood Blvd this night, just a stones throw away from Graumann's Chinese theater, where he debuted to audiences over 72 years ago! Roaring across the screen in two packed screenings, the '33 Kong captivated audiences both familiar with the tale, and those wandering in, having seen Jackson's, and wanting to experience the classic in a genuine, time honored movie palace, where the first Academy Awards were held. And the King never looked better than he did in this restored, hauntingly clear print, created piece meal from the best masters in the world for his long awaited DVD release. Those already memorable Skull Island jungles never looked more beautiful, not to mention the sheer, uh... clarity of Fay Wray's "Beauty and the Beast" dress on the Venture. Serving as an opening act for his cinematic father in more than just spirit, the original Mighty Joe Young, arguably more Son of Kong than "Son of Kong," screened as an appetizing, and appropriate warm up to the greatest giant simian story ever told! What made an already special evening into one unforgettable was the presence of four very special guests. Terry Moore, Joe's female equivalent to Kong's Fay Wray, was in attendance, watching her radiant younger self boss the big monkey around, and get handed off endangered orphans by an actress who was her real life mother, immortalized in the magical forever of film.
As she sat captivated, and memories sprang to life like newly watered flowers in her mind, Ms. Moore had no idea that, courtesy of one Mr. Bob Burns -- her very special co-star, Mr. Joseph Young of Africa himself, the original remaining puppet armature anyway, was close by and unannounced. And he was in good company with his cinematic father (metaphorically) also in attendance, the original and only surviving armature of King Kong! Yes, the original King Kong, and Mighty Joe Young themselves were actually "in the building", happily watching their flickering phantom images do battle with terrifying T-Rex, and voracious Lions along with everyone else! And they were there due to the generosity and graciousness of their owner, and caretaker, Mr. Burns, something of a legend in his own right in sci-fi, fantasy film circles, having worked in the business for years. It seems the overgrown gorillas were loose on a day pass from their real Skull Island home, and not even chrome steel chains could keep them away. Nothing could keep them from sharing a few magical hours with their fans, magical hours that just couldn't exist without them. As the lights lifted on the Joe screening, Ms. Moore commented in a Q and A session she was one of only two people still alive that were in the original Mighty Joe film. She also commented that producer Earnest Schoedsack was to have given her one of the Joe puppets, but his maid stole it before he ever could. She appears to have never actually saw it, as the special effects camps in the 40's was far more removed from their live action components than even today. Though animation pioneers Willis O'Brien and Ray Harryhausen created the film's special effects, Moore never saw them on the set, and Joe was added long after she wrapped her participation in the film. "I wish I had it now," Ms. Moore, an ex-wife of aviation billionaire Howard Hughes, who also dated James Dean, exclaimed of the Joe puppet. "It's probably worth a fortune." Well, Ms. Moore, you can't have the Joe who came to visit tonight, unbeknownst to you, but he would like to say hello! As Bob brought the Joe armature up to Ms. Moore, she had no idea an old friend, perhaps one she'd never actually met in person, was now right in front of her, metal arms outstretched in what looked to be a piece of history in need of a stop motion hug. "This is Joe," smiled Bob, with a joyous twinkle in his eye that would give Ol' St. Nick pause to take notes. "Is this the original," she asked, somewhat skeptical. When Bob confirmed it was indeed "the" Mr. Joseph Young of Africa before her, Terry's face lit up with a warm grin, and she quickly leaned in to give her long lost pet pal a royal kiss on the crown!
What a moment, and what a night it was. A wonderful reunion of long lost friends, cinematic, and real fathers and sons in attendance, and a magical kiss, some 56 years overdue. Fantasy cinema fans got to see Joe and Kong, and then they got to meet Joe and Kong! At the Egyptian in Los Angeles, and in theaters everywhere, the giant apes old and new still spark the imagination of the child in all of us. Long may they reign! Peter Jackson's King Kong is in Cinemas everywhere. To purchase an exact replica of Bob Burn's historic King Kong armature, please visit www.sideshowcollectibles.com
To visit Bob's website, check out:
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