Immediately upon its release, Merian C. Cooper’s 1933 spectacle King Kong was a Depression-era smash hit–not just in the United States, but all across the globe. King Kong was so popular that even Imperial Japan caught Kong fever when Shochiku Studios distributed the film to Tokyo theaters in Autumn 1933. As history buffs and weeaboosContinue reading “Japan’s (first) lost Kong film: Wasei Kingu Kongu (1933)”
Author Archives: Randall Malus
The mystery of the lost spider pit sequence
Merian C. Cooper’s 1933 monster masterpiece King Kong came under the knife of censors when it was re-released in 1938, but all of the scenes that were removed at that time have been since restored and reinserted. Even so, Kong is still missing one very infamous scene–not by act of censorship, but by design. AnytimeContinue reading “The mystery of the lost spider pit sequence”
The “Citizen Kane” of monster movies: King Kong (1933)
In the grand old year of 2020, it seems that there isn’t much left to say about King Kong that hasn’t already been said. The “Citizen Kane” of monster movies has a timeless quality to it—the film is a certifiable masterpiece, no doubt about it. Like Metropolis (1927), Jaws (1975), and Jurassic Park (1993), KongContinue reading “The “Citizen Kane” of monster movies: King Kong (1933)”
Kongtoberfest is upon us!
Ladies and gentlemen, I have an announcement to make: 2020 blows. This is an indisputable fact. The year 2020 has been a disaster. Several, in fact. And there’s still plenty of 2020 left. I’m not telling you something you don’t already know. Something you also probably know is that when the chips are down, alcoholContinue reading “Kongtoberfest is upon us!”
Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1903)
Does it strike anyone else as ironic that a movie based on a book that screams for black equality has not a single African American playing a lead character? Does anyone else find it strange that the same movie based on the same book contains cheap racial stereotypes? Despite what I just said, this remainsContinue reading “Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1903)”
Uncle Tom’s Cabin Grapevine Video Kickstarter Unboxing
We here at The Fictosphere like to celebrate things (at least when said celebration doesn’t require too much work from us), and one of those things is Black History Month. Though African Americans in Hollywood have never had an easy time of things, they have provided casual movie goers and bonafide filmfreaks alike with someContinue reading “Uncle Tom’s Cabin Grapevine Video Kickstarter Unboxing”
Carnival of Souls (1962)
So, this film is a sort of Rorschach test as it is both quaintly absurd and deeply unsettling at the same time. The folks from Rifftrax have lampooned this film (for good reason), and The Criterion Collection has seen fit to include this film among the most important and influential in the world (for goodContinue reading “Carnival of Souls (1962)”
Mega Man Examiner Article Double Feature
“Rockman” becomes a rock opera thanks to the talented Protomen Sadly, it takes about 100 years for the Protomen to write, record, and release new music, so a third act (new album) hasn’t yet been released. But, one is indeed on the horizon I hear, and should be coming soon. As long as the qualityContinue reading “Mega Man Examiner Article Double Feature”
Cleveland: Traitors to King James
This time of year, Christmastime, the whole holiday season, always conjures for me images of snowflakes, Santa, and the reason for the season: I’m of course talking about the King himself, Elvis Presley. Blue Christmas and I’ll Be Home for Christmas always put me in the mood for holly, gifts, and egg nog–the true meaningContinue reading “Cleveland: Traitors to King James”
The Right to Be Happy (1916) – Universal’s First Attempt at “A Christmas Carol”
So, this should technically be a Throwback Thursday post as the original article was posted at Crane’s Cabinet of Kinetographic Curiosities on December 25, 2017, but since I’ve updated some information and, well, it’s Christmas Eve, I felt this would be a good time to (re)post this article. Enjoy this little tidbit of Christmas PastContinue reading “The Right to Be Happy (1916) – Universal’s First Attempt at “A Christmas Carol””
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