Talkback: King Kong Escapes (1967)

[TokyoVigilante]

Re-watched this a night or two ago and I still love this film. It's so soft and harmless. Madame Piranha is probably my favorite part of the film, more so then Dr. Huu even (It's STILL not the original!). On an effects level, it's probably one of the best things to come from Tsuburaya in the sixties, the pace is smooth, the music (particularly the stuff for the North Pole) is memorable, and the meager cast helps each character shine through even if they aren't the most dynamic bunch to grave the silver screen.

Like the best Japanese Fantasy films, it's a joy to watch. Arctic fortresses, hover cars, dinosaurs, rocket helicopters, and it's all gushing more colors then what it knows to do with.

To the more informed members here, is there any substantial difference between the Japanese cut and the American cut? This is one of those films where I would probably enjoy the dub more (ala, like Monster Zero) then then original. But it'd be nice to see what the original dialogue was.

Such a pleasant, breezy film. Pure fun. Even if the Kong suit is pretty weak, weaker then the KKvsG one even.

[kpa]

The villain's name is not "Dr Huu". The character comes from the Rankin/Bass KING KONG cartoon, and they left no doubt how to spell his name...

[Tamura]

To the more informed members here, is there any substantial difference between the Japanese cut and the American cut?

The US version is a bit trimmed and has one extra scene after the opening credits. I can't remember exactly what was cut.

[Irys X]

Interesting movie. A little out there, but still a lot of fun.

[Godzillafan642]

I love that movie i still have it mostly becasue of gorosarus

[Tohosaurus]

It's aimed mostly for kids, but it's still a great "lazy Sunday movie" as TV put it, ironic because the first time I watched it way back was over brunch on a Sunday.

[DoctorMafune]

Like the best Japanese Fantasy films, it's a joy to watch. Arctic fortresses, hover cars, dinosaurs, rocket helicopters, and it's all gushing more colors then what it knows to do with.

Well said! I agree completely.

Pure fun. Even if the Kong suit is pretty weak, weaker then the KKvsG one even.

Again, agreed. This film would be one of the best popcorn movies of the entire 60s if it weren't for that wretched Kong suit. And actually, it's only the face that's so badly done... the shape of the Kong suit actually is better than in KKVG, broader shouldered and without the beer gut on the 1962 version. But oh, that face...

I've sometimes wondered whether there were actually TWO bad Kong suits used in this film... including one for one of the water scenes. When Kong is in the lagoon fighting that rubber sea snake, he doesn't just look like bad gorilla suit v.1 after it got wet, he looks... words fail me. It's like something thrown together for a third graders' stage play. Or a gorilla suit modeled on my bad-tempered Aunt Ellie, doused in hair grower. One of the most channel changer-worthy embarrassments in any Toho film of that decade.

All that aside, Mechani-Kong and Ifukube's scoring are magnificent (that scene where MK drops bombs into the arctic crater and descends, is magic.)

This film is (almost) pure entertainment, of the variety that many films of the period promised, but few delivered.

And I love both Eisei Amamoto's scene-chewing performance as Dr. Who, and Paul Frees's perfect dub. "Who" cares if he sounds like Boris Badanov... it's priceless. "MORON! The real Kong is lost to us!!"

[Kubo]

Doctor Who is such a card. I've only seen this movie twice, but it's definitely memorable. King Kong vs Gorosaurus was the highlight for me. That and Ms. Piranha...where does Toho come up with such creative names?!

[therealmccoy]

I have to see this movie. Eisei Amamoto looks insane in the still shots I've seen. It looks like so much fun.

[Crazy Jim Films]

My favorite Kong knockoff is Mighty Peking Man (1977) because it's actually a decent movie; the photography looks pretty darn nice and the special effects and miniatures look decent. It also has Evelyne Kraft going for it.

Mighty Peking Man is one of those films that is just too bad-shit insane to not be a load of fun.

[Tohosaurus]

The Kong suit is awful and the whole plot is batsh*t crazy, but the movie is 100% fun from start to finish and I'm entertained by it for that reason.

[YonggaryRGG]

I haven't seen King Kong Escapes, but I would like to (subtitled) just to see Gorosaurus and Mechanikong in action.

[JVM]

One of my favorite Showa films, period. It's campy, it's fun, the human plot holds interest and really plays into the monster plot, the monsters are handled well, and if I recall correctly, it's the last non-Godzilla film from the Dream Team.

[Godzilla99]

I think it was fun and good

[Rody]

I liked the film; it's a lot of fun. I'd probably like it even more if I could see it in Japanese subbed.

[Goji]

Rhodes Reason is awful when dubbed in Japanese. I really need a bilingual version of this film.

[The One and Only]

This was one of the few Toho flicks I got to see back in the day when I was still in single digits. A politically incorrect satement is that this is probably my favorite film featuring the other King of the Monsters. Although flawed on a few fronts it usually gets the most views of any Kong flicks in my collection. Robot Kong/Mechanikong is one my favorite mechas to be rolled out of the Toho stable. But the real highlight of the flick is the villainous mastermind Dr. Who. Although a diabolical genius, willing to kill anybody who got in his way, and do other nasty stuff to get his way(messing up Susan's face if Captain Nelson refused to cooperate with him) , the bloke always seemed to mess up at the last minute.

[Crazy Jim Films]

A politically incorrect satement is that this is probably my favorite film featuring the other King of the Monsters. Although flawed on a few fronts it usually gets the most views of any Kong flicks in my collection.

That's not really politically incorrect. Controversial, maybe.

[Godz]

HATE the Kong suit, and the Kong vs MechaniKong fight at the end didn't impress me, but other than that, it's ok.

[Killswitch]

All the Toho ape suits suck! I saw better ape suits on the Three Stooges. The Little Rascals too! I am serious!