Rating: PG
Genre:
Fantasy
Release Date: 11/22/2005
SubTitles: English/French/Espanol
Dubbed: English
Sound: DD2
Run Time: 94 Minutes
Flags: Suitable for Children
Distributor/Studio: Warner Home Video
Hoping to make the magic of
King Kong happen again, the production team of
Merian C. Cooper and
Ernest B. Schoedsack came up with the 1949 special-effects smorgasbord
Mighty Joe Young.
Robert Armstrong reprises his Kong portrayal of Carl Denham as hot-shot showbiz entrepreneur Max O'Hara. While in Africa looking for authentic decorations for his new night club, O'Hara makes the acquaintance of Mr. Joseph Young, a ten-foot-tall ape. Unlike
King Kong, Joe Young has a heart of gold, thanks in great part to his owner, a lovely lass named Jill Young (
Terry Moore). Against her better judgment, Jill allows O'Hara to bring Joe back to the States as a nightclub attraction. Joe proves to be a smash as he participates in Jill's musical act (he lifts her grand piano while she plays "Beautiful Dreamer") and performs a tug-of-war routine with an imposing lineup of professional wrestlers (including
Tor Johnson,
Man Mountain Dean and
Primo Carnera). But when the patrons go home each night, Joe is unhappily relegated to his cage. When a group of obnoxious drunks begin teasing Joe, the disgruntled ape breaks loose and goes on a rampage. Slated to be put to death, Joe redeems himself by rescuing a group of screaming children from an orphanage fire. Featured in the cast are
Ben Johnson as the nominal romantic lead,
Frank McHugh as Robert Armstrong's assistant, and an uncredited
Irene Ryan as a cocktail-lounge patron.
~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
;)
