Original subtitles

[ dramatic orchestral music playing ]

[ chittering ]

[ elephants trumpeting ]

[ big band music playing ]

♪ I'm sitting on top ♪

♪ Of the world ♪

♪ I'm rolling along ♪

♪ Yes, rolling along ♪

♪ And I'm quitting the blues of the world ♪

♪ I'm singing a song ♪

♪ Yes, singing a song ♪

♪ Glory hallelujah, I just told a parson ♪

♪ Hey, Pa, get ready to call ♪

♪ Just like Humpty Dumpty, I'm going to fall ♪

♪ And I'm sitting on top of the world ♪

♪ I'm rolling along ♪

♪ Rolling along ♪

♪ Don't want any millions ♪

♪ I'm getting my share ♪

♪ I've only got one suit, just one ♪

♪ That's all I can wear ♪

♪ A bundle of money ♪

♪ Don't make me feel gay ♪

♪ A sweet little honey ♪

♪ Is making me sad ♪

♪ And I'm sitting, sitting on top ♪

♪ Top of the world ♪

♪ I'm rolling along ♪

♪ Rolling along ♪

♪ And I'm quitting, quitting the blues ♪

♪ Blues of the world ♪

♪ I'm singing a song ♪

♪ Just singing a song ♪

♪ Glory hallelujah, I just told a parson ♪

♪ Hey, Pa, get ready to call ♪

♪ Just like Humpty Dumpty, I'm going to fall ♪

♪ Yeah, I'm sitting on top ♪

♪ Top of the world... ♪

- Oh! - ♪ I'm rolling along ♪

- ♪ Rolling along. ♪ - [ man laughing ]

[ sneezes ]

That's a funny one. Isn't that funnier?

It's hysterical, Manny.

As long as we're laughing, we won't cry over the box office.

Talk about depressing.

Twenty girls with feather boas, prancing around like circus ponies.

That's depressing.

- I love a good chorus line. - [ sneezes ]

- What's this? - It's a play.

- Who wrote it, Annie? - Some guy-- Dryscoll.

- Driscoll. - From the Federal Theater.

Don't knock it, honey. At least they got an audience.

It'll pick up.

Ain't that right, Manny?

It always does.

The trick is to start to build right

from the back of your throat.

[ sneezes ]

Works well out through the nose, too.

Have you eaten today?

Oh, I'm not hungry. Don't worry about me.

Hey.

You're all I've got.

Come on, take me to dinner.

Okay.

You think the kitchen will still be open on Third?

Ah. Soup and biscuits, perfect!

Woman: You can't do this!

Hey! Harry, what's going on?

- Hey, open up! We work here! - Man: Not anymore, lady.

It's all right for you. We haven't had a paycheck in two weeks.

How are we gonna eat?

They're not getting away with this.

They just did.

Ann, it's no use.

The show, it's over. It's done.

I'm done.

I'm leaving, Annie.

I'm going back to Chicago.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, Annie.

Ever since you were small,

people been letting you down.

You gotta think of yourself now.

You should try out for that part.

Oh, I know what you're thinking.

Every time you reach out for something you care about,

fate comes along and snatches it away.

But not this time, Annie.

Not this time.

Oh, hello, Mr. Weston.

Oh, Jeez. Look, miss, I told you already.

Call my office, leave your resume with my secretary.

Now why would I do that when we can talk about it in person?

Because that's what a smart girl would do.

But I already sent you my resume. You returned it unopened.

Jack Driscoll's very particular about who he works with.

Please, just an audition. That's all I'm asking.

- You don't give up, do you? - I know this role backwards.

Well, that's too bad 'cause we just gave the part to someone else.

I'm sorry, kid, the play is cast.

I know times are tough. You want my advice?

Use what you got. You're not bad-looking.

Girl like you doesn't have to starve.

There's a new place,

just opened.

Listen, princess, this gig ain't the Palace. You understand?

Ask for Kenny K. Tell him I sent you.

Just play the date.

Take the money.

Forget you was ever there.

[ film projector clicking ]

How much more is there?

Another five reels.

Lights up.

Man: This is it?

This is what we get for our 40 grand, Denham,

another one of your safari pictures?

You promised us romantic scenes with Bruce Baxter and Maureen McKenzie.

Come on, fellas, you know the deal.

We agreed to push Maureen's start date

- so she could get her teeth fixed. - It's not the principle

of the thing, it's the money.

Carl, you've been in production for over two months.

Trust me, Bruce and Maureen are gonna steam up the screen

once we get them on the ship.

What ship?

The one that we hired to get to the location.

What location? Carl, you're supposed to be shooting on the back lot.

Yes, I understand that, but, fellas, we're not making that film anymore.

And I'll tell you why. The story has changed.

The script has been rewritten.

Life intervened.

I've come into possession of a map.

The sole surviving record of an uncharted island,

a place that was thought to exist only in myth, until now.

Whoa, Carl, slow down.

- Is he asking for more money? - He's asking us to fund a wild goose chase.

I'm talking about a primitive world,

never before seen by man.

The ruins of an entire civilization.

The most spectacular thing you've ever seen.

That's where I'll shoot my picture.

Will there be boobies?

Boobies?

Jigglies, jiblongas, bazooms.

In my experience, people only go to these films

to observe the undraped form of the native girls.

What are you, an idiot? Do you think they asked DeMille

if he would waste his time on nudie shots?

No, they respected the filmmaker!

They showed some class, not that you'd know what that means,

you cheap lowlife!

Would you step out for a moment, Carl?

- [ telephone rings ] - Woman: Zelman and Associates.

- Who? Just a moment. - Give me that, quick.

You won't like it. It's not alcoholic.

Preston, you have a lot to learn about the motion picture business.

Man #2: Don't run him off, fellas.

He's hotheaded, sure, but Carl Denham's made some interesting pictures.

He's had a lot of near-success.

He's a preening self-promoter.

An ambitious no-talent. The guy's got loser written all over him.

Man: I understand your disappointment.

Man #3: He can't direct. He doesn't have the smarts.

He's washed up. It's all over town.

This jumped-up little turd's gonna bankrupt us.

The animal footage has value?

Sure, Universal are desperate for stock footage.

Then sell it! Scrap the picture!

We gotta retrieve something from this debacle.

Get him back in.

Mr. Denham.

I want the cast and crew on the ship within the hour.

Tell them the studio pressured us into an early departure.

It's not ethical.

What are they gonna do, sue me, huh? They can get in line.

Not gonna let 'em kill my film.

You realize that none of the camera equipment is on board.

- We have no permits, no visas. - That's why I have you, Preston.

We have no insurance. We have no foreign currency.

- In fact, we have no currency of any kind. - He's there!

- Get in there. Get in! - Who's gonna pay for the ship?

Get out of there! Come here.

Step on it. Step on it!

You're finished, Denham!

Don't worry, Preston. I've had a lot of practice at this.

I'm real good at crapping the crappers.

Red Label, 80% proof, to be packed

- in a crate marked "Lemonade." - You got it.

And tell Maureen she doesn't have six hours to put on her face.

If she wants to be in this picture, she's gotta be on that boat.

She doesn't want to be in this picture.

Maureen pulled out.

- She pulled out? - Yesterday, I told you.

You said we were shooting in Singapore, right?

That's what you told her.

Yeah, but we're not shooting in Singapore.

God damn it, Preston. All you had to do was

look her in the eye and lie.

I gotta get to a phone and talk to Harlow's people.

She's unavailable.

Myrna Loy, Clara Bow, Mae West?

Ha! You'll never get her into a size 4.

You gotta get a girl that'll fit into Maureen's costumes.

Fay's a size 4.

Yes, she is, but she is doing a picture with R.K.O.

Cooper, huh?

I might have known.

You're not listening. We gotta delay the shoot.

Shut production down. We can't sail tonight.

- Not an option. - Carl!

I said I'd find a girl. For God's sake, Preston, think like a winner.

Call Jack. I need that goddamn screenplay.

Defeat is always momentary.

[ laughing ]

Hey! You gonna pay for this?

Excuse me.

Ma'am, I think you dropped this.

Vaudeville, huh?

I worked Vaudeville once. That is a tough audience.

If you don't kill 'em fast, they kill you.

Mr. Denham.

I want you to know that I'm not in the habit

of accepting charity from strangers.

Or for that matter, taking things that don't belong to me.

It's obviously a terrible misunderstanding.

- It's just that I haven't been paid in a while. - That's awful.

Anyway, Ann-- may I call you Ann?

You wouldn't happen to be a size 4 by any chance?

No no no. Oh, God, no.

You've got me all wrong. I'm not that type of person at all.

What type of person are you?

I'm someone you can trust, Ann. I'm a movie producer.

Believe me, I am on the level.

No funny business. Please sit down.

Please. Please.

Okay.

Ann, I want you to imagine

a handsome explorer bound for the Far East.

You're filming in the Far East?

Singapore.

On board ship, he meets a mysterious girl.

And she's beautiful, she's fragile, haunted,

and she can't escape the feeling that forces beyond her control

are compelling her down a road

from which she cannot draw back.

It's as if her whole life has been a prelude to this moment.

This fateful meeting that changes everything.

And sure enough, against her better judgment...

She falls in love.

Yes.

But she doesn't trust it.

She's not even sure if she believes in love.

Uh, really?

- If she loves someone, it's doomed. - Why is that?

Good things never last, Mr. Denham.

Huh.

So you're interested, good. That's settled then.

Now I don't want to rush you, but we are under some time pressure here.

- Well, I really-- - Ann, I'm telling you,

you're perfect. Look at you. You're the saddest girl I've ever met.

You're gonna make 'em weep, Ann.

You're gonna break their hearts.

See, that's where you're wrong, Mr. Denham.

I make people laugh. That's what I do.

Good luck with your picture.

Ann-- Miss Darrow, please.

I'm offering you money, adventure, fame, the thrill of a lifetime

and a long sea voyage.

You want to read a script? Jack Driscoll's turning in a draft as we speak.

Jack Driscoll?

Sure, why? Wait. You know him?

No, not personally.

I've seen his plays.

What a writer, huh? And let me tell you, Ann, Jack Driscoll

does not want just anyone starring in his picture.

He said to me, "Carl, somewhere out there

is a woman born to play this role."

And as soon as I saw you, I knew.

Knew what?

It was always going to be you.

- Carl: How much do I owe you? - [ cabbie speaks softly ]

Keep the change.

Is this the moving picture ship?

Hmm? Not exactly.

It's actually this one over here.

Carl: Don't let appearances deceive you.

It's much more spacious on board.

- Is this all of the equipment? - Yeah.

- This is all of it? - Yeah.

- We're taking the Bell and Howell? Good. - Yeah.

- You got all the lenses? - Sure.

- Carl. - Yes! Get on board, fellas, come on.

It's bad. It's bad.

- They're on their way. I've just had word. - Who?

Men in uniform. The studio called the cops.

Englehorn, cast off.

Hoist up the main sail, raise the anchor,

whatever the hell it is you do, we gotta leave.

I cannot do that.

- We're waiting on the manifest. - What, who?

- English, please. - Paperwork, Mr. Denham.

I'll give you another thousand to leave right now.

You haven't given me the first thousand yet.

Can we talk about this later?

Can't you see we're in the company of a V.I.P. guest?

- Ma'am. - Ann Darrow.

So you're ready for this voyage, Miss Darrow?

Sure.

Nervous?

Nervous. No, why?

Should I be?

It isn't every woman who would take such a risk.

Why don't I show Miss Darrow to her cabin?

Wonderful idea. Thank you, Preston.

Miss Darrow, if you would just, uh...

Hi, my name is Preston, Carl's assistant.

$2,000, it's a deal. Will you take a check?

Do I have a choice?

Please, follow me. If there's anything that you need--

excuse me, fellas. If there's anything that you need,

please don't hesitate to ask.

Oh, Jesus! Jack, you scared me.

Listen, if anyone comes to the door, don't open it.

You haven't seen me. Say I got depressed and committed suicide.

Say I stuck my head down the toilet.

You want one?

No, I can't stay, Carl. I got a rehearsal for which I am now three hours late.

What's this?

It's the script.

This is a script?

Jack, this is 15 pages.

I know, but they're good. You got 15 good pages there, Carl.

I'm supposed to be making a feature-length picture.

You told me I had more time. I'm sorry. Look, I gotta go.

No, Jack, you can't do this to me. I have a beginning,

but I need a middle and end. I gotta have something to shoot.

You got my notes. I gotta go, pal. See ya.

All right, fine. We might as well settle up.

You gonna pay me?

Not gonna stiff a friend.

I've never known you to volunteer cash before.

How's 2 grand sound?

That sounds great.

- Thought it might. - That sounds great.

Okay.

- And voila. - Thanks.

[ men shouting outside ]

Carl, you've written "2 grand."

So I did. Sorry about that.

Let's start from the beginning.

"$2,000."

It is the 29th, isn't it?

Come on, it's the 25th. It's the 25th.

- Oh, God, I'm sorry. It'll just take a second. - Never mind, Carl.

- Just pay me when you get back. - All right.

Your cabin is the last on the left, Mr. Baxter.

And may I just say how excited we are

to have you back with us, sir?

Be a sport and lend a hand here, would you?

I'm trying-- I gotta get--

- [ whistle blows ] - Christ!

- Appreciate the help, fella. - Let me get the door for you.

Welcome to your stateroom, sir.

Dead slow ahead both, Mr. Hayes.

Dead slow ahead both, Captain.

Oh, Christ!

God damn it!

[ siren wailing ]

I keep telling you, Jack.

There's no money in theater.

Oh, no no!

You're much better off sticking with film.

I don't do it for the money, Carl.

Happen to love the theater.

No, you don't.

If you reallyloved it,

you would have jumped.

[ boat whistle blasts ]

You! This is your fault.

This room very comfortable. Plenty dim light,

- fresh straw. - Jesus, what do you keep down here?

Lion, tiger, hippo, you name it.

What, do you sell 'em too zoos?

Zoo, circus--

skipper get big money for rare animal. Careful.

Camel have bad accident on floor.

Stain unremovable.

Skipper get any wild animal you want.

- He'll do you real good price on white rhino. - Choy.

My apologies for not being able

to offer you a cabin. Have you found an enclosure

to your taste?

Swell for choice.

What are you, Mr. Driscoll, a lion

or a chimpanzee?

I'll take this one.

I told you to lock it up.

- Sorry, skipper. Lumpy said-- - Lumpy doesn't give the orders.

What are you trying to do, put the whole ship to sleep?

Get them out of here.

[ typing ]

Compliments of the chef.

Oh, Christ. Oh, God. [ gagging ]

Lambs' brains in walnut sauce.

Jimmy, you run those ropes up on deck like I told you?

Doing it now, Mr. Hayes.

How about you return Mr. Driscoll's pen first?

He don't mean no harm.

- Thanks. - I'll keep him out of your way.

- It's okay. - It's just, he likes it down here.

That's where I found him four years ago.

Stowed away in one of them back cages.

His arm was broken in two places.

He was wilder than half the animals in here.

He still won't tell me where he came from.

But it wasn't anyplace good.

Hayes: You gotta straighten up. Jimmy...

you don't want to be on this ship the rest of your life.

- Yes, I do. - No, you don't, Jimmy.

You gotta be smart. Get yourself educated. Give yourself some options.

- Take this seriously. - I do, Mr. Hayes. I do, look.

I've been reading.

- Where'd you get this? - I borrowed it.

On long-term loan.

Look at this. Adventures on a tramp steamer, see?

Just like us.

Ann: It's so nice to meet you, Mr. Driscoll.

I'm actually quite familiar with your work.

Yes, I...

Hello, Mr. Driscoll. It's so nice to meet you.

Actually, I'm quite familiar with your work.

I'm a hugefan.

I've read everything you've ever written.

No, too much.

Gonna have the ship's engines all over the dialogue.

Seagulls, camera noise, wind.

- Christ knows what else. - I don't care, Mike.

You're the sound recordist. Make it work.

Carl: Ann!

Come on in. Let me introduce you to the crew.

This is Herb, the cameraman.

- Delighted to meet you, ma'am. - Likewise.

May I say, what a lovely dress.

Oh, this old thing? I just threw it on.

Isn't that one of Maureen's costumes?

Now what does a girl have to do around here to get some breakfast?

Lumpy, you heard the lady.

Fancy my porridge à lawalnuts?

Oh, Ann, I don't believe you've met...

Uh, Ann.

That's all right, Mr. Denham. I know who this is.

Thrilled to meet you.

It's an honor to be a part of this.

Gee, thanks.

Actually, I'm quite familiar with your work.

Really?

Yes, and what I most admire is the way

you've captured the voice of the common people.

Well, that's my job.

I'm sure you've heard this before, Mr. Driscoll, if you don't mind me saying,

but don't look at all like your photograph.

- Excuse me. - Wait a minute, Ann.

So much younger in person and much better looking.

- Ann, stop. Stop right there. - You see, I was just afraid

that you might be one of those self-obsessed literary types.

I'm sorry. I'm not--

The tweedy twerp with his nose in his book,

and his head up his a--

It's nice to meet you, too, Miss Darrow.

Good Christ!

[ mumbles ]

Carl: She's standing at the railing.

- She doesn't know it yet... - [ typewriter clicking ]

but they are sailing towards disaster. You got that?

Jack: Okay, so she turns.

The first mate is staggering towards her.

There's a knife sticking out of his back.

Wait a second. We're killing off the first mate?

That's assuming she knows who the first mate is.

Come on, Jack. It was an honest mistake.

Ann is nearsighted. It could have happened to anyone.

I was joking, Carl.

The point is she's horrified, and she has to look away.

- And that's when she sees it. - [ typewriter dings ]

Sees what?

What?

The island.

We're filming on an island now?

When did this happen?

Shh, Jack, keep your voice down.

I don't want the crew getting spooked.

Why would they get spooked?

- What's it called? - All right.

It has a local name, but I'm warning you, Jack, it doesn't sound good.

They call it Skull Island. Did you get that?

What's wrong with this place?

There's nothing officially wrong with it,

because technically, it hasn't been discovered yet.

Okay, all right.

So we arrive at this place.

"S-k...

u...

l...

l..."

"Island."

All right, everyone, from the top. And action.

I think this is awfully exciting.

I've never been on a ship before.

I've never been on one with a woman before.

I guess you don't think much of women on ships, do you?

No, they're a nuisance.

Well, I'll try not to be.

Just being around is trouble...

[ muffled voices ]

Uh, cut. Great.

Bruce, wonderful performance.

You can relax for 10 minutes.

It was very natural. I felt... moved.

What do you think, Driscoll? Dialogue's got some flow now, huh?

That was pure effluence.

I beefed up the banter.

Try to resist that impulse, hmm?

It's just a little bit of humor, bud.

What are you, a Bolshevik or something?

Actors.

They travel the world.

All they ever see is a mirror.

Good legs.

Sea legs. You know, sea legs.

Yeah, not that you don't have good legs.

Just making conversation.

Jesus. Miss Darrow.

About the scene today with you and Bruce.

I know it wasn't what you wrote,

but Mr. Baxter felt very strongly that

when a man likes a woman,

he must ignore her.

And if things turn really hostile,

then-- no?

Interesting theory.

I know. I should have...

It wasn't what I had intended, but--

I'm sorry.

- You made it your own. - I was nervous.

It was funny, actually. You were funny.

Please don't say another word.

- Good night. - Miss Darrow.

You don't have to be nervous.

[ dramatic music playing ]

Thank you.

Let's take it.

Would you please? We're trying to shoot a scene.

- Okay, bye. - Thank you. Okay, again.

Carl: We're close. Turn southwest.

There's no land southwest for thousands of miles.

Takes us way outside the shipping lanes.

I won't sail blind in these waters.

I'll make it worth your while.

There's nothing out there.

Well, then you've nothing to lose.

Hayes: If someone were to tell you this ship was headed for Singapore,

what would you say?

I would say they're full of it, Mr. Hayes.

We turned southwest last night.

Gentlemen, please.

We're not looking for trouble.

No...

you're looking for something else.

Yes, we are.

We're going to find Skull Island.

Find it, film it and show it to the world.

For 25 cents, you get to see the last blank space on the map.

I wouldn't be so sure of that.

What do you mean?

Seven years ago, me and Mr. Hayes were working our passage

on a Norwegian barque.

We picked up a castaway. Found him in the water.

He'd been drifting for days.

His ship had run aground on an island, way west of Sumatra.

An island hidden in fog.

He spoke of a huge wall...

built so long ago,

no one knew who made it.

A wall 100 foot high.

Strong today as it was ages ago.

Why'd they build the wall?

Well, the castaway,

he spoke of a creature, neither beast nor man,

but something monstrous living behind that wall.

A lion or a tiger.

A man-eater, that's how all these stories start.

- What else did he say? - Nothing.

We found him the next morning.

He had stuck a knife through his heart.

Sorry, fellas. You'll have to do better than that.

Monsters belong in "B" movies.

If you find this place,

if you go ashore with your friends and your cameras,

you won't come back.

Just as long as you understand that.

[ typewriter clicks ]

How long do you expect us to stay out here?

Ann: You're writing a stage comedy?

I'm writing it for you.

Why would you do that?

Why would I write a play for you?

Yes.

Isn't it obvious?

Not to me.

Well...

it's in the subtext.

I guess I must have missed it.

It's not about words.

[ beeping in Morse Code ]

Message for you, Captain.

What's going on?!

Hayes, why are we changing course?

- Englehorn, you can't just-- - Outside.

There's a warrant out for your arrest.

Did you know that?

I've been ordered to divert to Rangoon.

Another week.

I haven't got a film yet.

Please.

- I have risked everything I have on this. - No, Denham.

You risked everything I have.

What do you want? Tell me what you want.

I'll give you anything.

I want you off my ship.

Set a course for Rangoon, Mr. Hayes.

I'm finished.

It's over for me, Jack.

How'd you think this would end, Carl?

Check our position.

Use the stars.

There are no stars, Captain.

Jack: What is that?

What?

That.

That, right there.

I don't know. What is it, A coffee stain?

[ horn blasts ]

[ horn blasts ]

[ horn blasts ]

Station the forward lookout.

And get me the depths by lead line.

Aye, Captain.

30 fathoms, no bottom.

Reduce speed. Steerage way only.

Dead slow ahead both.

You should stop the ship.

15 degrees port.

We're getting out of here, Mr. Hayes.

We have fine, clear conditions.

We have seabed!

25 fathoms!

- We're shallowing! - 20 degrees starboard.

- Captain, you don't know where the hell you're going! - Get me another reading!

Another reading!

22 fathoms!

- Douse the lights. - Aye, Captain.

10 fathoms!

Wall! There's a wall ahead!

Stop engines!

- Get me some power! Half astern both! - Half astern both, Captain.

Rocks!

Rocks!

Rocks to starboard, Captain!

- To port! Rocks everywhere! - Take the wheel, Hayes.

Hang on! [ grunts ]

[ grunting ]

Full ahead.

Rocks to port, Captain!

Turn, Captain! Starboard, starboard!

[ loud thunk ]

[ hull groaning ]

Shore up that breach! Get me more men down here now!

Come on, move move move!

Hayes!

She's taking a pounding.

- What about the prop? - The shaft's not bent as far as we can tell.

But she's stuck hard against the rock.

Captain, better come up quick!

Right there.

Want me to bring 'em back?

I don't give a damn about Carl Denham. I want the ship fixed

and ready to float on the next high tide.

Come on, move it.

We're leaving, Mr. Hayes.

Can you believe this, Jack?

[ laughs ] We got our picture.

[ animalistic grunting ]

Why does Marlowe keep going up the river?

Why doesn't he turn back?

There's a part of him that wants to, Jimmy.

A part deep inside himself that sounds a warning.

But there's another part...

that needs to know...

to defeat the thing which makes him afraid.

We cannot understand

because we were too far

and could not remember because we were traveling

in the night of first ages.

And those ages that are gone,

leaving hardly a sign and no memories.

We are accustomed to look upon the shackled form

of a conquered monster.

But there,

there you could look at the thing, monstrous and free.

It's not an adventure story,

is it, Mr. Hayes?

No, Jimmy, it's not.

[ wind howling ]

It's deserted.

Of course it's deserted. Use your eyes, Preston.

The place is a ruin.

Nobody's lived here for hundreds of years.

[ woman sobbing ]

[ woman screaming ]

Mr. Denham, I think we should go back.

I will handle this.

Look, chocolate.

You like chocolate?

It's good to eat.

Huh?

You want?

Take it.

[ rain pattering ]

Here, put it in your hand and take it.

[ growling ]

[ grunting ]

For God sakes, Denham, leave the native alone.

She doesn't want the chocolate.

- [ grunts ] - [ screams ]

[ growls ]

[ hisses ]

Carl: It's all right!

It's just a bunch of women and old folks.

They're harmless.

- [ dull thud ] - [ grunts ]

[ loud roar echoing ]

[ pants ]

Torre Kong.

Torre Kong!

[ gasps ]

[ distant growling ]

[ grunting ]

[ screaming ]

[ screams ]

[ natives howling ]

[ screams ]

Ann!

- [ native ululating ] - [ grunts ]

[ woman speaking tribal language ]

Torre Kong!

[ natives howling ]

Torre Kong!

[ gunshot, bullet whizzes ]

[ natives screaming ]

[ groans ]

[ men yelling ]

Jack!

[ sobbing ]

Man: All clear, Mr. Hayes!

Seen enough?

[ hull groaning ]

Lighten the ship!

Anything that's not bolted down

goes overboard!

[ yelling, grunting ]

We got away.

We gotta be grateful for that, gentlemen.

What about Mike? He didn't get away!

He's still there.

Mike died doing what he believed in!

He didn't die for nothing, and I'll tell you something else.

I'm gonna finish this film for Mike!

I'll finish it...

and I'll donate the proceeds...

to his wife and kids.

- Yeah. - Because that man is a hero,

and he deserves nothing less.

Hear, hear!

[ woman speaking tribal language ]

[ woman's voice echoing ]

Woman: Torre Kong!

[ grunts ]

[ men shouting ]

Chuck everything except for the potatoes!

- Excuse me, Shakespeare. - [ grunts ]

[ woman hissing ]

[ men yelling ]

- Where's Ann? Where's Ann?! - What?

[ woman's voice echoing ]

Ann!

- [ dull thud ] - [ grunts ]

- [ men cheering ] - Man: She's free!

Full ahead! Both engines!

Ann!

[ grunts ]

[ coughing ]

No! Stop! Turn back!

Stop!

We have to turn back.

They've taken Ann.

[ tribal drums echoing ]

[ gasping ]

[ natives chanting ] Kong! Kong! Kong!

[ howling, ululating ]

[ speaking tribal language ]

Torre Kong!

All hands going ashore!

Jump to it! Jump to it, gentlemen!

Man: Come on, Mr. Hayes

Come on! Move it!

Hoist away!

Pull harder!

Englehorn: Row! Row! Come on!

[ tribal music playing ]

[ natives ululating ]

[ speaking tribal language ]

Kong!

[ animal grunting ]

[ groaning, creaking ]

[ howling ]

[ music increases tempo ]

[ groaning ]

[ tree branches snapping ]

[ panting ]

[ gasping ]

[ screaming ]

[ moaning ]

[ snarls ]

[ whimpering ]

Spread out! Find her!

[ guns firing ]

- [ natives screaming ] - Miss Darrow! Check up there, Jimmy!

Everybody stay together!

[ growls ]

Ann!

- [ screaming ] - [ ropes snapping ]

- She's here somewhere! - [ Kong roaring ]

What in God's name was that?

[ growling ]

Behind the wall!

Behind the wall!

[ panting ]

She's gone!

Carl, what is it?

You saw something.

You can take Hayes and 15 others.

I'll put a guard on the gate until you return.

The rest of you, stay with the ship.

Choy!

Not you, Jimmy.

Come on, Mr. Hayes. Look at 'em.

- None of them know which way to point a gun. - Stay here.

Miss Darrow needs me!

No.

Bring the tripod and all of the film stock.

You want to go to the six-inch lens?

The wide-angle will do just fine.

Englehorn: You've got guns, you've got food, you've got ammo.

- You've got 24 hours. - 24 hours?

At this time tomorrow, we haul anchor.

Man: Miss Darrow!

Jack: Ann!

Man: Miss Darrow!

Miss Darrow!

[ bird squawking ]

Man #2: Miss Darrow!

Jack: Ann!

- [ Kong snarling ] - [ Ann screaming ]

No! No!

[ frenzied snarling, grunting ]

[ roaring ]

- [ Ann grunts ] - [ Kong growls ]

- Jack: Ann! - Hayes: Miss Darrow!

- [ Kong growling ] - [ Ann screaming ]

Ann!

Ann!

[ Ann screams ]

[ roaring ]

Christ, it's a bleeding bone yard.

They've been ripped limb from limb.

Ann!

Ann!

Just keep walking, Mr. Hayes, pretend you didn't see me.

- Jesus, Jimmy. - Hey, I need that!

- I'm not giving you a gun. - You were younger than me when they gave you one.

I was in the army.

I was trained, I had a drill sergeant.

I want to help bring her back.

[ sighs ]

Don't make me regret it.

[ birds twittering ]

[ buzzing loudly ]

[ water running ]

[ men groaning, grunting ]

Conserve your ammunition!

[ wings flutter ]

Man: I'm knackered.

[ coughing ]

- Go ahead and breathe. - Great idea.

Fellas, we don't have time for this.

We've lost too much ground already, come on, get up.

They're not about to quit on you. Cut them some slack.

All right, you've got five minutes.

Everybody stay in sight.

Over here. I'm gonna get a wide shot of the valley.

Bloody Nora.

Is that what took Miss Darrow?

There's only one creature capable

of leaving a footprint that size.

The Abominable Snowman.

- Hey, a snowman. - We're dead meat.

It's gotta be-- what-- 20, 25 feet?

Carl saw it.

Let's ask him.

Denham!

Where'd he go?

[ dinosaurs bellowing ]

- Walk forward, Bruce. - What?!

You're the star of this picture, get into character

and head toward the animals.

What the hell kind of a place is this?

Are you sure about this, Denham?

Don't we have a stand-in for this type of thing?

I need you in the shot or people will say they're fake.

- Nobody's gonna think these are fake. - [ trumpets ]

You're making 'em nervous. No sudden movements.

I'm not moving.

[ bellowing ]

Mother... of God.

[ distant rumbling ]

[ birds squawking ]

Whoa! Whoa!

What is it? What is it? Where's Carl?

Carl? He's-- up there, filming.

[ distant bellowing ]

[ men chattering ]

Watch it.

[ panting ]

- [ bellowing ] - Run, Jack!

Holy Christ.

Go, Jimmy, run!

Run run run!

Carl!

- Let go! - I'm not leaving the camera.

Jack: Go, you idiot!

[ men yelling ]

[ grunting ]

[ screaming ]

[ growling ]

[ growling ]

[ screaming ]

Coming through!

No!

- Carl! - Here!

Carl.

Get up. Come on. Come on.

[ screeching, bellowing ]

[ grunts ] Mr. Denham!

Mr. Denham!

Herb! Herb, come on!

- Take the tripod! - Come on!

I'm pulling you up. Hold onto your end.

- Go! - No, I'm not going anywhere without you.

You've gotta leave me!

Shut up and hold on!

[ screaming ]

[ Kong snorting ]

[ growling ]

Hayes: Jimmy, do a head count.

I want to know how many injured and how bad.

Injured?!

Four of us are dead.

[ moaning ]

Preston: It's not your fault.

What happened to Herb is no one's fault.

You're absolutely right, Preston.

And I'll tell you something else.

Herbert didn't die for nothing.

He died for what he believed in and I'm gonna honor that.

He died believing

there was still some mystery left in this world.

And we could all have a piece of it...

for the price of an admission ticket.

God damn it, Preston, we're gonna finish this film for Herb.

We'll finish it

and donate the proceeds to his wife and kids.

Bruce: All right, we gotta get back to the ship.

- Englehorn sails in nine hours. - So?

We gotta find Miss Darrow.

Hey, do you hear me? We're gonna be stranded here.

Look, fellas, Miss Darrow was a great gal, no question.

And she was a wonderful person.

It's a terrible loss, and we're all gonna miss her.

Jack: I always knew you were nothing

like the tough guy you play on screen.

I just never figured you for a coward.

Hey, pal! Hey, wake up.

Heroes don't look like me, not in the real world.

In the real world, they got bad teeth,

a bald spot and a beer gut.

I'm just an actor with a gun who's lost his motivation.

Be seeing you.

Anyone else?

- [ men chattering ] - See ya.

Come on.

[ whimpers ]

[ buzzing ]

[ gasps ]

[ snarls ]

[ growling ]

[ grunting ]

[ roaring ]

[ yelps ]

[ snarls, roars ]

[ growling ]

[ grunting happily ]

- [ grunts ] - [ laughing ]

[ grunts ]

[ moans ]

[ laughing ]

[ groaning ]

No!

I said no!

[ snarls ]

That's all there is.

There isn't any more.

[ roaring ]

[ grunts ]

[ rasping ]

[ panting ]

[ squawking ]

[ birds squawking ]

What is it?

Mr. Hayes?

Anything happens, I want you to run.

You understand?

I'm not a coward. I ain't gonna run.

It's not about being brave, Jimmy.

[ clacking ]

[ snarling ]

Go back!

- Jimmy... - Back across the log!

- Come on! - I ain't gonna run!

Get Jimmy out of here!

- No! - Get back! Get back!

[ machine gun firing ]

[ men yelling ]

[ Kong roars ]

[ Hayes groaning ]

- No! No! - Stay back.

[ screaming ]

[ sniffs ]

Look at me.

- [ groaning ] - Jimmy: Put him down!

You gotta run, Jimmy.

Do as I say. Go with Jack!

- [ snarling ] - Run!

- [ roaring ] - [ screaming ]

- No! No! - Shoot him!

[ machine guns blasting ]

[ Kong grunting ]

[ roaring ]

[ men screaming ]

[ guns blasting ]

Here! Over here!

[ screaming ]

[ roaring ]

[ grunting, panting ]

- Hold on! - [ machine gun blasting ]

- [ men screaming ] - Help me!

Help me!

- Choy! - [ roaring ]

Here! Here!

[ roaring ]

[ grunting ]

[ gasps ]

[ growling ]

[ squealing ]

[ gasping ]

[ screams ]

[ growling ]

[ screams ]

[ thundering footsteps ]

No!

Oh my--!

[ screams ]

[ screams ]

[ screams ]

[ grunting ]

[ screams ]

[ snorting ]

[ roaring ]

[ loud roaring ]

[ panting ]

Wait! [ grunts ]

Carl.

Jimmy, Jimmy.

Jimmy, hey.

You all right?

[ panting ] No.

[ screaming ] Get it off! Get it off!

Get if off!

- Get if off! Get if off! - [ screams ]

[ screaming ]

[ screaming ]

Stop moving!

Get it off my face.

- Stay still. - I am standing still.

- Hold on. - Be careful.

Englehorn: Don't move. Stay away from the walls.

Coming through!

Man: Get back!

Englehorn: Get out of there now. Climb!

It's beautiful.

Beautiful.

Beautiful.

Denham: Thank God.

Englehorn: Don't thank God. Thank Mr. Baxter.

He insisted on a rescue mission.

Me? I knew you'd be okay.

That's the thing about cockroaches.

No matter how many times you flush them down the toilet,

they always crawl back up the bowl.

Hey, buddy, I'm out of the bowl.

I'm drying off my wings and trekking across the lid.

Englehorn: Driscoll, don't be a fool!

Give it up, it's useless!

She's dead.

She's not dead.

Jack's gonna bring her back,

and the ape will be hard on his heels.

We can still come out of this thing okay.

More than okay. Think about it.

You got a boat full of chloroform we could put to good use.

You want to trap the ape?

I don't think so.

Isn't that what you do, live animal capture?

I heard you were the best.

Jack!

Look after yourself!

Keep the gate open, will ya?

Sure thing, buddy!

Good luck!

I'm sorry.

[ bats screeching ]

[ whispers ] Come on.

[ gasps ]

Jack! Run!

[ roaring ]

[ screaming ]

Jack, Jack!

Jack.

Jack, oh, Jack.

Ann, it's okay.

Ann, let's go. Let's go, come on.

Let's go, come on. Come on!

[ roaring ]

[ Kong roaring ]

Jack: Carl!

Ann: Please! Somebody help us!

They've gone.

Carl. Oh, Christ!

Carl!

Drop the bridge! Do it now, for Christ's sake!

Not yet.

Wait.

Wait.

[ Kong roaring ]

Wait!

[ grunting ]

Come on!

- Now! - Man: Throw!

No!

Pull down!

What are you, out of your mind?

- Stop! - Hold the line!

Keep him down!

[ grunts ]

Please!

- Don't! Stop! Jack! - Get off me.

- Stop! You'll kill him! - Get her out of here!

- Get out of his sight! - Throw it.

- It's too late. - Throw it!

[ roars ]

Let go of me.

We gotta go, come on.

- Come on. - Stop it! Leave me alone!

Ann, please, come on.

- Hit it! - No! No!

It's over, you goddamn lunatic!

- All of you, run! - Come on, come on!

Man: Move it, move it!

- Come on! - Come on, come on!

- Stay there. - It's me he wants.

- Please! Stop this! - Hold onto her. Ann, go.

- Go, here, take her. - Get in the damn boat.

No no no!

Get it out!

Get the hell out of here!

- Come on! - Jimmy, don't be crazy. Come on.

- Heave! - Let me go.

Cast off!

Come on, Carl!

Row!

Row, God damn it!

Go back.

- [ screaming ] - Jimmy, no!

[ Kong grunting ]

No, don't! Leave him alone!

- Push her back! - No!

- Wait! - No no no!

Please, don't!

[ wheezing ]

[ snoring ]

The whole world will pay to see this.

We're millionaires, boys.

I'll share it with all of you.

In a few months,

his name will be up in lights on Broadway...

"Kong, the eighth wonder of the world!"

[ clamoring ]

- Mr. Denham... - [ clamoring ]

What can I say? What can I say?

Any comment, Mr. Denham?

The mayor, thank you.

Great!

[ chattering ]

Thank you very much. Oh!

[ laughs ] Get used to it.

- Listen, it's great to see you. - Ready?

- I'm really appreciating that-- oh! - Hey, look at you.

You're a lucky guy, Denham.

Am I a lucky guy? Maybe you're the lucky guy.

- Carl. - Zelman.

- I told them. - I know you did, and I appreciate it.

- Let's get a shot of this. - Come on! Big smile!

Oh, yeah, that's great!

Man: Look at yourself. Look at what you've become.

No woman is worth this.

Man: This woman is worth it. I don't care what it takes.

- I gotta win her back! - Oh, really?

- She's not gonna buy this for a second. - Shut up

and hand me the grapefruit.

Ann's voice: You're writing a comedy?

Jack's voice: Yes, I am.

I'm writing it for you.

Why would you do that?

Why would I write a play for you?

Isn't it obvious?

Oh, I'm sorry. I couldn't help but overhear.

Woman: So he took me to this fancy French restaurant

and halfway through the hor d'oeuvreshe clutches my hand.

- And that's when he told you how he felt? - No, he never said it.

- Woman #2: He never said it? - Man: He probably thought he didn'tneed to say it.

Woman #2: Well, then how does he know that it's real?

- He said it was not about the words. - Oh, please!

If you feel it, you say it.

It's really very simple.

He said we'd talk about it later.

Only, there was no later.

It never happened.

That's how it ended.

He just let you walk away?

He didn't try to save it?

I honestly believed things might actually work out,

which was really very...

Both: Foolish.

Men-- oh, they'll give you the world,

but they let the one thing that truly matters

slip through their fingers.

Typical.

They're so busy being brave,

- they forget to use their brains. - Excuse me.

Romance, who needs it?

[ fanfare playing ]

[ applauding loudly ]

Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Ladies and gentlemen...

I'm here to tell you a very strange story.

The story of our adventure...

in which 17 of our party suffered horrible deaths.

Their lives lost

in pursuit of a savage beast.

A monstrous aberration of nature.

But even the meanest brute can be tamed.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, as you will see,

the beast was no match

for the charms of a girl.

[ laughing ]

- A girl from New York... - [ cheering ]

who melted his heart.

Bringing to mind that old Arabian proverb:

"And lo, the beast looked upon the face of beauty

and beauty stayed his hand.

And from that day forward,

he was as one dead."

And now, ladies and gentlemen,

I'm going to show you

the greatest thing your eyes have ever beheld.

He was a king in the world he knew,

but he comes to you, now, a captive.

Ladies and gentlemen

I give you Kong,

the eighth wonder of the world!

[ audience gasping ]

[ applauding lightly ]

Don't be alarmed. It's perfectly safe.

These chains are made of chrome steel.

[ snorts ]

[ trolley bell dings ]

[ car honks ]

Observe if you will.

[ audience gasps ]

I am touching the beast.

I am actually laying my hand

on the 25-foot gorilla.

[ audience applauding ]

Crank him up, fellas.

- [ clanking ] - [ grunting ]

[ applauding ]

And now, we have in the auditorium tonight

a surprise guest.

The real-life hero of this story,

the man who hunted down the mighty Kong!

The man who risked all to win the freedom

of a helpless female.

A big hand for Mr. Bruce Baxter!

- [ cheering, applauding ] - [ orchestral fanfare plays ]

Thank you. Thank you.

- Thank you. - [ laughs ]

[ orchestra playing dramatic theme ]

[ laughing ]

[ audience applauding ]

He was right.

About there still being some mystery

left in this world,

and we can all have a piece of it

for the price of an admission ticket.

That's the thing you come to learn about Carl.

His unfailing ability to destroy the things he loves.

[ applauding ]

Please remain calm, ladies and gentlemen,

for we now come to the climax of this savage ritual:

the sacrifice of a beautiful young girl.

Behold her terror

as she is offered up to the mighty Kong!

[ Kong snorts ]

A big hand, folks...

for the bravest girl I've ever met...

Miss Ann Darrow.

[ cheering, applauding ]

[ snorting ]

[ grunting ]

[ gasps ]

[ groans ]

Save me from the beast!

[ roaring ]

[ all gasp ]

[ applauding ]

Help me! Get me down!

Where is she? Where's Ann?

I have no idea. I heard he offered her all kinds of money,

and she turned him down flat.

♪ Pack up all my cares and woe ♪

♪ Here I go ♪

♪ Singing low ♪

♪ Bye bye ♪

♪ Black bird ♪

♪ Where somebody waits for me ♪

♪ Sugar's sweet ♪

♪ So is he ♪

♪ Bye bye ♪

♪ Black bird. ♪

[ woman screaming ]

- Here's your story, boys. - [ roaring ]

"Beauty and the man who saved her from the beast."

No.

[ screaming ]

We have to get these people outta here.

Everyone needs to leave, okay? Come on.

Let him roar. It makes a swell picture.

- [ laughs ] - Head for the exits.

Get your own seat, buddy, you're not having mine.

It's a marvelous show. It's fine.

Excuse me, fellas.

Coming through. Coming through, fellas.

[ screaming ] Get me down!

Help me, please!

[ audience clamoring ]

Woman: Somebody! Somebody help me!

- Preston: Go! Go! Get out! - Jack: Get out here!

Go! Go!

- [ shrieking ] - [ roars ]

[ crowd screaming ]

- [ screams ] - [ squishes ]

Police officer: Everybody, slow down!

- Oh, shoot. - [ growling ]

[ panting ]

[ clamoring ]

[ crowd screaming ]

[ car honks ]

[ alarm ringing ]

- [ roaring ] - [ screaming ]

[ shrieking ]

[ thuds ]

[ screams ]

[ shrieks, thuds ]

[ shrieking ]

- [ trolley bell rings ] - [ crash ]

[ roaring ]

[ all scream ]

[ sirens wailing in distance ]

[ panting ]

[ wolf whistles ] Taxi!

Follow that ape.

Come on, pal, we gotta draw him off.

It's all yours, buddy.

[ trolley passengers screaming ]

[ horn blaring ]

Hey!

Whoa!

[ tires squealing ]

Come on.

[ snarls ]

[ tires squealing ]

Man: What? Are you crazy?

Come on. Come on!

[ growling ]

[ screams ]

Jesus Christ.

[ roaring ]

Man: Hey, come on, pal, move it!

[ grunts ]

[ roaring ]

[ growls quietly ]

[ breathing heavily ]

- [ sirens approaching ] - [ roars ]

[ both grunting ]

[ both laugh ]

[ both laughing ]

[ Kong grunts ]

[ both laughing ]

- [ explodes ] - [ Ann screams ]

Fire!

No!

[ machine guns firing ]

[ yelps ]

[ screams ]

[ sirens wailing ]

[ breathing heavily ]

[ Kong softly moans ]

Beautiful.

Yes.

Yes, it is.

[ airplanes buzzing ]

[ grunts ]

[ roars ]

[ roaring ]

- [ howls ] - [ glass shattering ]

[ roaring ]

[ moans ]

[ growls ]

Hey! Hey!

Nobody past this point.

- [ grunts ] - You can't go in there!

- [ Jack grunting ] - Hey!

Stop him!

Hey, get back! You're not allowed up there!

- What's going on? - [ soldiers shout ]

[ grunts ]

[ grunts ]

[ snarls ]

[ wails ]

[ bullets whizzing ]

- [ Ann screams ] - [ Kong grunts ]

[ screaming ]

[ sighs ]

[ grunts ]

[ roaring ]

No!

[ sobbing ] No! No! No!

Please, no! No!

[ groaning ]

[ crying ]

- [ machine guns blasting ] - [ Ann whimpering ]

[ Kong screeches ]

[ gasps ]

Ann. Ann.

[ yelling, chattering ]

- Soldier: Get out of here! - Just one shot!

- Go on! Go on! - Hey, boys, how about a photo?

Look at me. Come on, watch the camera.

- [ laughs ] - Come a little closer.

That's it, folks! Show's over!

Step back, clear the area!

That's it, shove off, boys.

Why'd he do that?

Climb up there and get himself cornered?

The ape must have known what was coming.

It's just a dumb animal, doesn't know nothing.

What does it matter? Airplanes got him.

It wasn't the airplanes.

It was beauty killed the beast.

[ somber music playing ]

[ soft orchestral music playing ]

[ dramatic music playing ]