Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    Nostalgia Central
    Banner
    • Home
    • Blog
      • Lists
      • Playlists
    • Television
      • Shows by Decade
        • 1950s Television
        • 1960s Television
        • 1970s Television
        • 1980s Television
        • 1990s Television
      • Shows by Genre
        • Comedy
        • Drama
        • Kids TV
        • Variety
        • News & Sport
        • Advertisements
      • Shows by Country
        • UK TV
        • USA TV
        • Australia & NZ TV
        • Canada TV
        • Europe TV
        • Japan TV
      • Shows A to K
        • Shows A
        • Shows B
        • Shows C
        • Shows D
        • Shows E
        • Shows F
        • Shows G
        • Shows H
        • Shows I
        • Shows J
        • Shows K
      • Shows L to Z
        • Shows L
        • Shows M
        • Shows N
        • Shows O
        • Shows P
        • Shows Q
        • Shows R
        • Shows S
        • Shows T
        • Shows U
        • Shows V
        • Shows W
        • Shows X
        • Shows Y
        • Shows Z
      • Shows 0 to 9
    • Music
      • Music by Decade
        • 1950s Music
        • 1960s Music
        • 1970s Music
        • 1980s Music
        • 1990s Music
      • Music A to K
        • Music A
        • Music B
        • Music C
        • Music D
        • Music E
        • Music F
        • Music G
        • Music H
        • Music I
        • Music J
        • Music K
      • Music L to Z
        • Music L
        • Music M
        • Music N
        • Music O
        • Music P
        • Music Q
        • Music R
        • Music S
        • Music T
        • Music U
        • Music V
        • Music W
        • Music X
        • Music Y
        • Music Z
      • Music 0 to 9
      • Genres
      • Music on Film & TV
      • One-Hit Wonders
      • Online Radio
    • Movies
      • Movies by Decade
        • 1950s Movies
          • Movies 1950
          • Movies 1951
          • Movies 1952
          • Movies 1953
          • Movies 1954
          • Movies 1955
          • Movies 1956
          • Movies 1957
          • Movies 1958
          • Movies 1959
        • 1960s Movies
          • Movies 1960
          • Movies 1961
          • Movies 1962
          • Movies 1963
          • Movies 1964
          • Movies 1965
          • Movies 1966
          • Movies 1967
          • Movies 1968
          • Movies 1969
        • 1970s Movies
          • Movies 1970
          • Movies 1971
          • Movies 1972
          • Movies 1973
          • Movies 1974
          • Movies 1975
          • Movies 1976
          • Movies 1977
          • Movies 1978
          • Movies 1979
        • 1980s Movies
          • Movies 1980
          • Movies 1981
          • Movies 1982
          • Movies 1983
          • Movies 1984
          • Movies 1985
          • Movies 1986
          • Movies 1987
          • Movies 1988
          • Movies 1989
        • 1990s Movies
          • Movies 1990
          • Movies 1991
          • Movies 1992
          • Movies 1993
          • Movies 1994
          • Movies 1995
          • Movies 1996
          • Movies 1997
          • Movies 1998
          • Movies 1999
      • Movies A to K
        • Movies A
        • Movies B
        • Movies C
        • Movies D
        • Movies E
        • Movies F
        • Movies G
        • Movies H
        • Movies I
        • Movies J
        • Movies K
      • Movies L to Z
        • Movies L
        • Movies M
        • Movies N
        • Movies O
        • Movies P
        • Movies Q
        • Movies R
        • Movies S
        • Movies T
        • Movies U
        • Movies V
        • Movies W
        • Movies X
        • Movies Y
        • Movies Z
      • Movies 0 to 9
    • Pop Culture
      • Fads
      • Toys & Games
      • Fashion
      • Decor
      • Food & Drink
      • People
      • Radio
      • Technology
      • Transport
    • Social History
      • 1950s Year by Year
      • 1960s Year by Year
      • 1970s Year by Year
      • 1980s Year by Year
      • 1990s Year by Year
      • Events
    Nostalgia Central
    Home»Movies»Movies by Decade»1970s Movies»Movies 1976
    Movies 1976 Movies K 5 Mins Read

    King Kong (1976)

    Share
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Reddit Email

    In a competitive rush to explore every conceivable spot on Earth for hidden sources of oil, the Petrox company has sent an expedition into Micronesia headed by Fred Wilson (Charles Grodin) and scientist Bagley (Rene Auberjonois) to investigate a report of rich underwater oil deposits off fog-shrouded Skull Island.

    Before leaving port, Wilson’s ship picks up a stowaway, Jack Prescott (Jeff Bridges). A Princeton University zoologist, he is drawn to Skull Island by ancient reports of a prehistoric monster still living there.

    On his discovery, Wilson is unimpressed by Prescott’s credentials and accuses him of being a spy for a rival oil company. Their confrontation is disrupted, however, by the picking up of a lifeboat. Inside it is a lovely young woman, Dwan (Jessica Lange) who was on her way to Hong Kong with a film producer when the boat blew up, leaving her the sole survivor.

    With its extra passengers, the ship sails on to Skull Island.

    After coming ashore in small landing crafts, the Petrox crew plus Wilson, Prescott, Bagley and Dwan make their way over rugged mountains to a village resting at the base of a huge wall. After watching a native ritual – in which warriors chant “Kong . . . Kong . . . Kong” as a sacrificial girl is carried to a gate in the wall – Prescott is convinced a monster-sized primate lives on Skull Island. Wilson remains sceptical.

    But later, while fishing from a rowboat, Dwan is captured by the natives who carry her through the Wall to Kong’s sacrificial altar.

    From the jungle comes the sound of something crashing and as the natives go wild, Dwan looks up to see a 40-foot ape in front of her. As she swoons, Kong gently lifts her off the altar.

    kingkong_021

    As soon as they hear of this, while Wilson remains on the ship, Prescott heads a rescue party. But disaster strikes when an angry Kong shows up as the men are crossing a deep ravine.

    Prescott and one other survive the ape’s attack, and while the other returns to the beach to inform Wilson of events, Prescott goes on alone.

    Kong, by now smitten with Dwan, is expressing his deep love by crooning to her when a giant snake slithers up to them. In a death struggle, Kong kills the snake, but while distracted in combat, Prescott makes off with Dwan. The raging ape gives chase.

    Back at the wall, Wilson and his men have dug a pit filled with canisters of chloroform (something all oil tankers carry?). Prescott and an exhausted Dwan just make it through the gate when it is bolted. Kong smashes down the gate and, overcome by the fumes, falls into the pit.

    Knocked out and chained, Kong is put in the hull of the supertanker as Wilson tells Prescott and Dwan of his plan to introduce Kong to the public of New York. Both baulk at the money-making scheme, defending Kong’s right to remain in his natural habitat.

    But Wilson is undeterred and the ship heads away to New York.

    On deck, Dwan and Prescott embrace and her scarf floats down to the imprisoned ape. Kong goes wild with passion and is only stopped from demolishing the boat by Dwan’s soothing words.

    Prescott will have nothing to do with Kong’s exploitation, but Dwan is contractually bound to appear in the circus at a New York park before thousands of spectators, where Kong is brought in concealed under a huge Petrox gas pump.

    Dwan, resplendent in a silver gown, is on the specially constructed altar when the pump is lifted, revealing Kong. Flashbulbs explode and Kong, thinking Dwan is in danger, breaks out of his steel cage.

    Amidst the turmoil, Prescott whisks Dwan to an elevated subway and Wilson is left weeping on the ground. Kong, in pursuit, wrecks the train and follows them to a Manhattan bar, where his giant hand scoops up Dwan.

    Kong’s ape instinct drives him to seek shelter on higher ground, so in the concrete jungle of New York, he seeks safety with Dwan atop the city’s tallest buildings, the World Trade Center.

    Kong straddles the twin towers as army helicopters swarm over him. The choppers refrain from firing while Dwan is in Kong’s hand, but – in the classic tradition of beauty and the beast – Kong makes the ultimate sacrifice to save the woman he loves and, thinking her in danger, lowers Dwan to safety. The army attacks immediately and Kong plummets to the ground.

    kingkong_288

    As hordes of reporters descend on Kong’s body, his last sight is of Dwan standing near him in tears.

    Prescott walks away from Dwan, knowing that they could have stayed together only if Kong had lived. His death would only remind them of the cruelty and deceit involved in taking Kong from his jungle paradise.

    Producer Dino De Laurentiis spent a fortune updating the classic King Kong and received no praise from the critics, although the ape effects were superior.

    Former model Jessica Lange proved herself an attractive light comedienne as the beauty who tames the beast.

    Dwan
    Jessica Lange
    Prescott
    Jeff Bridges
    Wilson
    Charles Grodin
    Captain Ross
    John Randolph
    Bagley
    Rene Auberjonois

    Director
    John Guillermin

    Video

    Related Posts

    • King of Marvin Gardens, The (1972)
      King of Marvin Gardens, The (1972)
      The introverted host of a late-night radio chat show becomes embroiled in his younger brother's get-rich-quick schemes in Atlantic City…
    • Queen Kong (1976)
      Queen Kong (1976)
      A female film crew journeys to the jungle Island of Lazanga ("where they do the konga") where a giant ape,…
    • King Kong Lives (1986)
      King Kong Lives (1986)
      Ten years ago, the great ape King Kong fell from the top of the World Trade Center in New York…
    • Likely Lads, The (1976)
      Likely Lads, The (1976)
      “I’d offer you a beer but I’ve only got six cans.” Written by comedy legends Dick Clement and Ian La…
    • Eliza Fraser (1976)
      Eliza Fraser (1976)
      The full title of the movie is actually A Faithful Narrative of the Capture, Sufferings and Miraculous Escape of Eliza Fraser,…
    • Mad Dog Morgan (1976)
      Mad Dog Morgan (1976)
      Australia in the 1850s. Irishman Daniel Morgan (Dennis Hopper), like hundreds of other ex-patriots from the British Isles, has come…
    • At The Earth's Core (1976)
      At The Earth's Core (1976)
      This sci-fi thriller follows a Victorian-era expedition headed by American explorer David Innes (Doug McClure) and fidgety British scientist Dr…
    • Kronos (1957)
      Kronos (1957)
      What appears to be a meteorite crashes into the sea off the coast of Mexico. After a few days and…

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleTake The High Road
    Next Article Last Tango In Paris (1972)

    Comments are closed.

    Can you help?
    Nostalgia Central has been a labour of love for me since 1998. The site carries no advertising, and I rely on donations to help with the running costs of the site and ensure I can keep Nostalgia Central running for your entertainment and education.

    If you find the site informative or enjoyable, please consider a donation – no matter how small.


    Thank you so much, and please enjoy your trip in the time machine!
    Follow us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    You May Also Like
    • Ronald Reagan
      1 9 1 1 – 2 0 0 4 Ronald Wilson Reagan entered the public […]
    • MC5, The
      Formed in Lincoln Park, Michigan, in 1965, The MC5 (Motor City […]
    • Yours, Mine and Ours (1968)
      Widowed nurse Helen North (Lucille Ball) has eight children. […]
    • Fotheringay
      Formed in 1970 around Sandy Denny and future husband Trevor […]
    • Light Of Day (1987)
      Joe Rasnick (Michael J Fox) scrapes together a living and plays […]
    • Trouser Suits (Pant Suits)
      The Trouser Suit (or Pant Suit if you’re from the […]
    Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

    OUR LATEST FACEBOOK POSTS

    Sad news. We wish her well 🤗

    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Dame Esther Rantzen says her lung cancer is in stage four

    www.bbc.co.uk

    The TV presenter and Childline founder says she is on a new form of medication for the disease.
    3 days ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 3
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 3

    Comment on Facebook

    Oh no 😢 in my prayers Esther xxx

    Didn’t she want to put the unvaccinated into camps during lockdown…

    That’s not cool 😞

    Another great voice has left us 😪

    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Tina Turner: Music legend dies at 83

    www.bbc.co.uk

    Her unmistakable voice on hits like The Best and What's Love Got to Do With It made her a superstar.
    5 days ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 7
    • Shares: 1
    • Comments: 2

    Comment on Facebook

    I found out on tiktok before I saw it on any news channels..

    Terrible, terrible news. Taken far too young. Vale Andy Rourke!

    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Andy Rourke: The Smiths bassist dies aged 59

    www.bbc.co.uk

    Guitarist Johnny Marr confirmed Rourke died after a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer.
    1 week ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 3
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9_xELTfEds

    www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-65576903 ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    The Beatles: Rare first edition White Album given to charity

    www.bbc.co.uk

    A 1968 White Album, complete with original inserts, is given to a Sutton Coldfield charity shop
    2 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 3
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    I recently fulfilled the dream of over 40 years and saw The Zombies perform live (They were amazing!). Their current bass player is a chap called Søren Koch, and this is his regular band - The Beatophonics. If you love 60s Beat music, do yourself a favour and have a listen. They are truly superb. open.spotify.com/artist/5W05FY5rERtVTBippPjold?si=nU5zM8gJSXONAGCWOUrTnA

    variety.com/2023/film/news/beetlejuice-2-release-date-theaters-1235607767/ ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    ‘Beetlejuice 2,’ Starring Michael Keaton and Jenna Ortega, to Hit Theaters in 2024

    variety.com

    Whether or not you say his name three times, Beetlejuice is returning to movie theaters next year. Warner Bros. has announced that “Beetlejuice 2” will be released on the big …
    2 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 3
    • Shares: 3
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-65470238 ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Why The Wicker Man has divided opinion for 50 years

    www.bbc.co.uk

    It has been described as the Citizen Kane of horror movies - and one of the worst films ever made.
    4 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 4
    • Shares: 1
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    RIP Harry Belafonte 😢

    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Harry Belafonte: Singer and civil rights activist dies aged 96

    www.bbc.co.uk

    The King of Calypso, who became a major voice in America's civil rights movement, died at home.
    1 month ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 2
    • Shares: 1
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    www.bfi.org.uk/features/railway-children-yorkshire-locations ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    The Railway Children: in search of the Yorkshire locations, 50 years on

    www.bfi.org.uk

    Does the chocolate-box Yorkshire depicted in The Railway Children still exist? More than half a century since its release, we went looking for the locations.
    1 month ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 9
    • Shares: 1
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    Farewell Possum :(

    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Barry Humphries: Dame Edna Everage comedian dies at 89

    www.bbc.co.uk

    The Australian was known for comic creations such as Dame Edna, Sir Les Patterson and Sandy Stone.
    1 month ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 7
    • Shares: 4
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    RIP Mary Quant - the originator of the mini skirt and a key figure in the rise of “Swinging London“. 
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-65265531

    RIP Mary Quant - the originator of the mini skirt and a key figure in the rise of “Swinging London“.
    www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-65265531
    ... See MoreSee Less

    2 months ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 16
    • Shares: 3
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    Load more
    Please note


    Nostalgia Central covers the period 1950 to 1999 and contains some words and references which reflect the attitudes of those times and which may be considered culturally sensitive, offensive or inappropriate today.
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    Search Nostalgia Central
    Tag Cloud
    Action Figures Amicus Arcade games Australia Beach movies Beatles Blaxploitation Board games British Invasion Britpop Canada Cold War Crime Disco Disney Doo-Wop Elvis Presley Girl groups Glam Goth Hammer Heavy Metal Irwin Allen Kraütrock Labels Merseybeat Mod revival Motown New Romantic New Wave NWOBHM Oi! One-hit wonders Politics Power Pop Prog rock Pub rock Punk Radio Scotland Ska Soul music Sport Surf music Video games
    Copyright © 1998, 2023 Nostalgia Central. Run by volunteers. Funded by donations.
    • About Nostalgia Central
    • Contact
    • FAQ

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.