An interesting and weird fold in the King Kong saga is the 1960's Japanese detour that the character took. He memorably starred in King Kong vs. Godzilla (even getting top billing) and then a few years later did another lesser-known movie with Toho Studios, 1966's King Kong Escapes, which is partially a follow up to his movie with Godzilla and partially a remake of the original King Kong. King Kong Escapes also features the first cyborg version of a kaiju character, Mechani-Kong who has a pretty cool design and is the precursor for characters like the various Mechagodzillas and Mecha King Ghidorah. While not among the best of the Kong movies, King Kong Escapes is an interesting and quirky spin on the classic character and story.
The plot is vintage '60's Toho goofiness. It all starts when a mad scientist builds a giant mechanical gorilla to mine for a mysterious and hard-to-get radioactive element. Naturally, if you need mining done, you build a giant terrifying gorilla robot. That's SOP in the industry.
Meanwhile, a joint US and Japanese expedition lands on a mysterious island and encounters King Kong and some dinosaurs. A blonde, female member of the crew attracts Kong's attention (some things never change) and he battles Gorosaurus for her. The mad scientist learns of Kong's presence and kidnaps him so that he can finish the mining job started by Mechani-Kong, but the giant gorilla escapes. Kong and his robotic doppelganger make their way to Tokyo (naturally) where they do battle.
This was Kong's last Toho appearance, although there have been talk of and apparently even attempts to feature Kong or Mechani-Kong in a Godzilla more or game, they have come to nothing due to the complex rights issues and costs involved with using the character. Sadly, King Kong Escapes marks the end of the big ape's short career as a Japanese movie star.
Thankfully, the kaiju Kong is a little too big for hanky-panky.THE MONSTER/EFFECTS
As in Godzilla vs. King Kong, this is not one of the big guy's better appearances. He is basically a Japanese guy in a ratty gorilla costume, only this time featuring some truly awful and glassy animatronic eyes. More often than not Kong's are half-closed, making him look either high or like Garfield.
The other two major creatures come off a lot better. Mechani-Kong, although silly, is a visually interesting monster and his design is more conducive to suitmation. Gorosaurus comes off surprisingly well. Like Godzilla, Gorosaurus is largely based on a T-Rex, but here the designers try for a more accurate look with a larger head and less upright stance. He actually moves in a somewhat realistic way for a time when dinosaurs were usually depicted dragging their tails on the ground. Gorosaurus goes onto be seen in Destroy All Monsters and in All Monsters Attack (via stock footage).
On the left is an incredibly uncomfortable Japanese man.MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT
The Kong/Gorosaurus fight stands out and has shades of the original scene in the 1933 movie. It is interesting to compare the original version, the Toho analogue of the scene, and the recreation from the 2005 movie to see the same basic concept executed using three distinct special effects techniques.
Kong, desperately searches Skull Island for something to snack on.HOME VIDEO AVAILABILITY
Available on DVD and on Netflix.
SEE ALSO
Destroy All Monsters 1968, King Kong (1933), King Kong (2005)
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