King Kong - 1933 Screenplay
Stacy Dohm:
EXT. ALTAR - FULL SHOT - NIGHT
-- and falls in. The sixty natives on the long pole are
crushed. The sailors run for their lives. They have no time
to pick up weapons. The few surviving natives with spears -
the one's nor on pole - also run. Kong stands in the gate,
snarling, beating his chest. He starts after them.
Village street, sailors panicking through, taking refuge in
huts.
Driscoll and Ann run across, behind huts. Denham runs in.
DENHAM
The bombs! Who's got the bombs!
KONG advances down street, towering over huts. He roars and
knocks huts aside.
Men in foreground run.
KONG tears roof off a hut.
Interior Hut from Kong's angle. Men cowering in a corner.
They look up at camera and shriek.
KONG reaches into hut, picks up a native.
Exterior, behind a hut. Driscoll, half-carrying Ann. Stops,
looks back, hurries her out.
KONG looks at native in his hand, throws him aside.
Denham runs past after some sailors, one of them carrying the
bombs.
KONG knocking down more huts. Driscoll and Ann running,
trying to keep behind huts.
KONG sees them over roofs.
Close-up of KONG snarling as he sees: Long shot, Driscoll and
Ann clear of village and running for beach.
KONG starts after them.
The beach, boats drawn up. Sailors running.
Denham overtakes them, grabs man with bombs, pulls him
around.
Man tries to run. Denham hits him, seizes bombs.
Driscoll and Ann running toward camera. KONG pursuing.
Denham steps forward, throws bombs over Driscoll's head.
Bombs burst in front of KONG. Smoke veils him.
KONG staggers forward through smoke, coughing. He knocks
Denham aside with his hand.
He reaches for Driscoll and Ann, and pitches forward.
CLOSE SHOT, Driscoll and Ann. KONG'S reaching hand falls into
this shot, and he's limp.
Village street. Night. Englehorn and Denham.
ENGLEHORN
Are you hurt?
DENHAM
(gets up, pushes Englehorn
aside)
Come on. We've got him.
Village street. Night. KONG's great side, heaving as he
breathes. All crowd around him.
DENHAM
(exultant)
He'll be out for hours. Send off to
the ship for anchor-chain, Skipper.
And tools.
ENGLEHORN
What are you going to do?
DENHAM
Build a raft to float him out to
the ship. The whole world'll pay to
see this!
ENGLEHORN
No chains will hold -- that.
DENHAM
We'll give him more than chains.
He's always been king of the world.
But we'll teach him fear.
(his voice rises
triumphantly)
We're millionaires. I'll share with
all of you. Listen, boys a few
months from now it'll be in lights
on Broadway -- Kong, the Eight
Wonder.
Stacy Dohm:
DISSOLVE TO electric sign on a theatre, "KONG, the Eight
Wonder."
Tilt down to crowds outside.
CLOSEUPS of crowd.
1ST MAN
What is it, anyhow?
2ND MAN
They say it's sort of a gorilla.
1ST MAN
Gee, ain't we got enough of them in
New York?
Another close-up.
YOUNG MAN
(to his girl)
I hear it's bigger'n an elephant.
GIRL
(chewing gum)
Does it do tricks or what?
Another close-up.
WOMAN
(in evening dress)
Heavens, what a mob.
HER HUSBAND
Well, you would come. And the
tickets cost me twenty bucks.
Long Shot of crowd, zoom forward over their heads toward the
entrance.
Dissolve to wings of theatre, shoot toward stage. Ann and
Driscoll in foreground, peering toward stage. Ann evening
dress. Driscoll dinner jacket.
ANN
I don't like to look at him, Jack.
It makes me feel the way I did that
awful day on the island.
DRISCOLL
I wouldn't have brought you, but
you know how Denham insisted.
ANN
Of course we had to come when he
said it would help the show. Do you
suppose we'll really make a lot of
money, Jack?
DRISCOLL
(fussing with his collar)
Enough to pay him back for these
clothes, anyway...I never had an
open-face suit before.
Denham bustles in. Full evening dress, silk hat, gardenia. He
is excited and important.
DENHAM
Hello, you're just on time. You
look great, Ann. Glad I dressed you
up for this show. Hello, Jack. Ten
thousand dollars in the box office.
How's that for one night?
DRISCOLL
Say! That's money!
DENHAM
Oh, we're going to do that every
night. The newspaper boys are
coming in now.
Group of reporters and photographers come in to Ann,
Driscoll, and Denham.
DENHAM
Miss Darrow, boys. And Mr.
Driscoll.
1ST REPORTER
It was Mr. Driscoll rescued you
from the ape, wasn't it?
ANN
Yes. He was alone. All the sailors
with him had been killed.
2ND REPORTER
(looking off-stage)
Alone, eh? Whew! How did you tackle
that baby?
DRISCOLL
Aw, Denham's the one that got him.
The rest of us were running like
rabbits, but Denham had the nerve
to stand still and chuck gas-bombs
at him.
The Reporters turn to Denham, saying "Oh, you're the hero."
"Come on spill it," etc.
DENHAM
No, lay off me. Miss Darrow is the
story. If it hadn't been for her,
we'd never have got near KONG. He
came back to the village for her.
3RD REPORTER
Beauty and the Beast, huh?
DENHAM
That's it. Play up that angle.
Beauty and the Beast. KONG could
have stayed safe where we'd never
have got him, but he couldn't stay
away from Beauty. That's your
story, boys.
2ND REPORTER
It's a story all right.
1ST PHOTOGRAPHER
How about a few pictures?
DENHAM
Wait. I want you to take
flashlights on the stage in front
of the audience. We'll ring the
curtain up now, and I'll make a
speech. Tell 'em about KONG and
Miss Darrow and Driscoll. Then when
I call you, you all come on and
take pictures.
The photographers ad lib. "Sure," "We'll do that," etc.
DENHAM
Come on Ann. I want you and Jack
there when the curtain goes up.
ANN
(shrinking)
Oh, no.
DENHAM
It's all right. We've knocked some
of the fight out of him since you
saw him.
He urges Ann off. Driscoll follows.
Cut to back of theatre, looking toward stage, curtain down.
House packed. Denham comes before the curtain. In almost the
tones of the circus spieler, he begins:
DENHAM
Ladies and gentlemen, I am here
tonight to tell you a strange
story. So strange a story that no
one will believe it. But, ladies
and gentlemen, seeing is believing,
and we -- I and my partners -- have
brought back the living proof of
our adventure, an adventure in
which twelve of our party met
terrible deaths.
Cut to wings of theatre. Reporters and photographers looking
onto the stage.
2ND PHOTOGRAPHER
Holy smoke, look at that!
1ST PHOTOGRAPHER
Hope he's tied up good and plenty.
1ST REPORTER
Sure he is. Denham's taking no
chances.
Cut to front of theatre. Denham addressing audience.
DENHAM
- and now, ladies and gentlemen,
before I tell you more, I am going
to show you the greatest sight your
eyes ever beheld. He was the king
and the god of the world he knew,
but now he comes to civilization,
merely a captive, a show to gratify
your curiosity. Ladies and
gentlemen, look at KONG, the Eight
Wonder of the World.
The curtain rises to disclose a raised platform, on which is
KONG, loaded with chains and so fastened that he can move
nothing but his head. Murmurs and exclamations from the
audience, a few rise to their feet to get a better look.
CUT TO medium shot on stage. Denham takes Ann's hand.
DENHAM
I want to introduce Miss Ann
Darrow. The pluckiest girl I've
ever known.
Audience applauds.
DENHAM
There the Beast, and here the
Beauty. She has lived through an
experience that no other woman ever
dreamed of. And she was rescued
from the very grasp of KONG by her
future husband. I want you to meet
a very brave gentleman, Mr. John
Driscoll.
Audience applauds. Driscoll bows awkwardly.
DENHAM
Now, before I tell you the full
story of our voyage. I am going to
ask the gentlemen of the press to
come forward, so that the audience
may have the privilege of seeing
them take the first photographs of
KONG and his captors.
He looks off-stage and beckons. The press men come on.
DENHAM
Miss Darrow first, alone. Stand in
front of KONG, Ann.
Ann reluctantly does so.
1ST PHOTOGRAPHER
That's it - That's near enough.
2ND PHOTOGRAPHER
Ready. Hold it. Smile, please.
The flashlights go off. KONG roars. Ann looks round in
terror, with a startled cry.
DENHAM
Don't be alarmed, ladies and
gentlemen. Those chains are made of
chrome steel. He can't move.
Flashlights again. KONG roars and strains at chains. Ann
covers her face. Driscoll steps forward to her.
DRISCOLL
It's all right, Ann.
DENHAM
Get them together, boys. They're
going to be married tomorrow.
1ST PHOTOGRAPHER
Put your arm around her, Driscoll.
Driscoll does so. Flashlights. KONG roars, struggles. Ann
hides her face against Driscoll.
DENHAM
Wait. Hold on. He thinks you're
attacking the girl.
1ST PHOTOGRAPHER
Let him roar. Swell picture.
(to flashlight men)
Get this.
Flashlights again.
With a frightful roar, KONG breaks his chains.
Everyone stands paralyzed, as KONG beats his chest, roaring.
The Driscoll grabs Ann, and rushes for door.
The theatre; reporters, attendants running for safety.
Audience in panic. KONG roaring.
Driscoll and Ann through door.
KONG starts across arena.
Stacy Dohm:
Driscoll and Ann in street.
DRISCOLL
My hotel! Across the street!
They run.
KONG pushes down big door. Crowded street seen beyond him.
He plunges through.
KONG comes up to hotel. Door is too small for him. He peers
through big window.
Driscoll and Ann in elevator going up. She is clinging to him
in panic.
KONG outside hotel.
A woman, several stories above, looks out window, sees KONG,
screams. KONG looks up, sees woman, thinks it is Ann, starts
to climb. Woman sees him coming, goes back from window.
KONG climbing up building.
A room in hotel, five men playing poker.
1ST MAN
Sweeten it - sweeten it.
They all ante, while 2nd Man deals.
3RD MAN
What's all the doings over there at
the theatre?
2ND MAN
Sounds like a three-alarm fire.
4TH MAN
Aw, some movie stunt about a
monkey.
5TH MAN
I hear the theatre's sold out.
3RD MAN
This town sure is full of hicks.
1ST MAN
Barnum was right.
KONG appears at window. They panic.
Another room in hotel. Ann and Driscoll rush in, he slams
door. Ann clings to him for a moment, then collapses on bed,
gasping and sobbing. He kneels beside her.
DRISCOLL
Hush, Ann. Hush, darling. It's all
right. You're safe here.
KONG climbing building.
Another hotel room. A woman in negligee at telephone.
WOMAN
Yes, Jimmy, it's Mabel - I been
waiting for you to call up.
JIMMY
Howya, kid. Glad I'm back?
WOMAN
You bet I'm glad you're back...I
got your postal. Talk louder,
Jimmy, there's fire-engines going
by. I can't hear...
JIMMY
Gonna step out with me, kid? Ya
save the evening like I told ya?
MABEL
Sure I saved the evening...Nine
o'clock'll be swell...And say, wait
until you see my new outfit...All
right, I'll be there...Say, when
did I ever break a date with you,
honey...
JIMMY
Whatsa matter? Hey, kid, what yer
yelling -- Mabel! Mabel! Operator,
something's happened!
KONG at window. He reaches in, picks her up, pulls her out
window.
Exterior, hotel wall. KONG looks at her, sees she isn't Ann,
drops her disgustedly.
Driscoll's hotel room. Ann sitting on bed. Driscoll kneeling
beside her.
DRISCOLL
We'll stay here, dear. I won't
leave you. They'll get him. It's
all right.
ANN
(gasping)
It's a like a horrible dream. It's
like -- being back there -- on the
island.
Driscoll puts his arms round her, murmurs soothingly.
KONG appears in window.
Driscoll starts up. Ann turns and sees, shrieks, cowers on
bed.
KONG smashes window, his hand comes in, reaching. Driscoll
picks up a chair and attacks hand.
KONG'S hand knocks him across room, where he lies senseless.
KONG'S hand drags the bed to the window, picks up Ann, takes
her out window.
Driscoll staggers to window, looks up after KONG, turns and
rushes out.
Stacy Dohm:
(Changes - 9/6/32)
Hotel corridor. Denham running toward camera, followed by pop
eyed bell-boys, clerks and waiter.
Door to Driscoll's room opens, and Driscoll staggers out,
almost colliding with Denham.
DENHAM
Jack! He's climbing up, outside
there.
DRISCOLL
He got Ann. He's taking her up.
DENHAM
The roof! Quick!
They rush off.
CUT TO roof of hotel. Denham and Driscoll run in. They see
KONG, holding Ann, going over another roof. He goes out of
sight.
DENHAM
What'll we do?
DRISCOLL
(turning to go)
Fire Department searchlights.
They'll keep him in sight.
CUT TO - motorcycle cops.
Crowd pointing and shouting.
Policeman turning in alarm.
Hook and ladder.
KONG climbing. Cornice breaks.
Cornice crashes on man.
Firehouse, searchlights coming out. Siren.
Mounted police ride out.
Crowd in street.
Searchlights on roof.
1ST FIREMAN
Where is he?
2ND FIREMAN
He went that way.
1ST FIREMAN
He may have fallen.
Searchlight settles on Kong on distant roof.
1ST FIREMAN
There! There he is.
2ND FIREMAN
He's still got the girl.
Another searchlight picks up Kong.
3RD FIREMAN
He's turned. He's going back.
Police station, cops run out with guns.
Wall of windows, full of heads, craning.
Cop telephoning from street-box.
Roof with searchlight. Kong not seen. Light moves to and fro,
looking.
2ND FIREMAN
Where's he gone?
Two policemen enter.
1ST COP
Can you see him?
2ND FIREMAN
No. Lost sight of him half and hour
ago.
Crowd in street. Two men looking up.
1ST MAN
They say he's disappeared.
2ND MAN
Well, what could he hide in?
1ST MAN
Gee, I hope he don't come down in
the street.
2ND MAN
You said it.
Police Station. Sergeant at desk with phone. Denham and
Driscoll pacing the floor. Phone rings.
SERGEANT
(into phone)
Yes? Yes...No, not
yet...Headquarters is broadcasting
the reports.
(he hangs up)
THE LOUDSPEAKER
Kong, the giant ape, is still at
large. He has not been seen since
midnight. The whole city is
aroused. We are hoping for a report
at any moment.
Driscoll sits down with a groan and puts his head in his
hands. Denham rests a hand on his shoulder.
DENHAM
Snap out of it, Jack. They're bound
to find him when morning comes.
DRISCOLL
I can't do anything. Ann's out
there -- somewhere --
DENHAM
But we're pretty sure he won't hurt
her.
DRISCOLL
He may have dropped her. She may be
lying somewhere.
THE LOUDSPEAKER
Attention, all stations! Kong has
been seen again. He is on the roofs
of the warehouses at 41st Street.
He is going toward the East River.
He is still carrying Ann Darrow.
Driscoll leaps up, clutching Denham.
Phone on desk rings.
SERGEANT
(answering it)
Yes?...Yes, the report just come
in...I don't know. What can we do
without killing the girl, too?
DENHAM
If he puts Ann down --
SERGEANT
(into phone)
It'll be daylight in an hour. Keep
him in sight.
THE LOUDSPEAKER
Kong is going West. He is making
for the Empire State Building.
DRISCOLL
(to Sergeant)
If he goes up there, what can we
do?
SERGEANT
We won't be able to get near him.
THE LOUDSPEAKER
Kong is climbing the Empire State.
He is still carrying Ann Darrow.
DENHAM
That's licked us.
DRISCOLL
There's one thing that hasn't been
tried.
SERGEANT
What?
DRISCOLL
Airplanes. If he should put Ann
down -- if they could fly near
enough to pick him off -- without
hitting Ann --
SERGEANT
You're right! Planes -- as soon as
it's daylight --
(he turns to phone and
starts to call)
Stacy Dohm:
CUT TO planes taking off.
Crowd in street, gazing up.
Kong on top of Empire State. He puts Ann down and beats his
chest.
An airplane squadron, flying in formation.
The planes over New York. Pilot looks over side, gives signal
to rest of squadron.
Entrance to Empire State, crowd around doors, police holding
them back. Denham, Driscoll, with two policemen, push their
way through crowd. They pause in door.
DENHAM
Here comes the planes.
POLICEMAN
They'll get him.
DRISCOLL
Can they shoot him and not hit Ann?
(he starts inside)
POLICEMAN
Hold on. Don't you get on that roof
too.
DENHAM
Give the pilots a chance, Jack.
They all exit into building.
Top of Empire State. Dawn. Kong turns and looks up at a
plane, roars and beats his chest.
In plane, shot over pilot's shoulder, as plane dives at Kong.
Top of Empire State. Kong snatches at plane and drops it into
street.
In the street, plane drops and burns.
Top of Empire State. Kong roars and beats his chest.
In 2nd plane, observer taps pilot and points. They dive.
Top of Empire State. Plane banks around Kong, firing machine
gun.
Close shot of Kong - he is hit by bullets, staggers.
Shot of Ann on ledge.
Another plane zooms past, firing at Kong.
Close shot of Kong, hit again. He coughs, looks down at his
wounds. Looks at Ann, reaches as though to pick her up.
Top of Empire State. More planes zoom down. Kong stands
erect, drumming on his chest. The planes sweep by, firing. He
staggers, turns slowly, and topples off roof.
EXT. NEW YORK STREET - GENERAL VIEW - NIGHT (STOCK)
Fire engines, searchlight units, police cars, motorcycles and
what not, speeding through crowded streets with sirens
blowing. This would be particularly effective in some well
recognized location such as Times Square.
EXT. 3RD ROOFS - FULL SHOT - NIGHT
Kong, carrying the girl, runs across roofs to the edge of a
city street. He leaps across the street, or alley, if the
distance is too great, and catches a window of a building on
the opposite side. He pulls himself up and continues the
chase. Crowds can be seen below.
EXT. 2ND STREET - FULL SHOT - NIGHT
Confusion in the street below this building as the crowds of
police, firemen, etc., rush after Kong.
LAP DISSOLVE
EXT. 4TH ROOFS - FULL SHOT - DAWN
DISSOLVE IN on an armed party, including Driscoll and police
officer, as they rush across roof tops and stop bewildered as
they see no trace of Kong. The first streaks of dawn are
tinging the sky.
EXT. 4TH ROOFS - MED. SHOT - DAWN
POLICE CAPTAIN
It's no use. All night we've been
after him -- and never got near
enough to take a shot.
POLICE LIEUTENANT
It'll be daylight soon. That ought
to help.
POLICE CAPTAIN
Help the ape, maybe.
DRISCOLL
There he goes -- making for the
Empire State Building.
Points to --
EXT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING - GENERAL VIEW - DAWN
-- Kong with the girl seen in the distance, going across
roofs toward Empire State Building background. Probably no
men needed in this shot, as building gives size.
EXT. 4TH ROOFS - MED. SHOT - DAWN
POLICE CAPTAIN
If he takes the girl up there with
him, we're fair beat.
POLICE LIEUTENANT
That's right. We can't shoot him
down while he has the girl.
DRISCOLL
Wait a minute. There's one thing we
haven't tried.
POLICE CAPTAIN
And what is that?
DRISCOLL
Air planes. The army planes from
Roosevelt Field. They might find a
way to pick him off without
touching her.
POLICE CAPTAIN
You're right.
(to Lieutenant)
Get to a phone, Tim. Call the
field, - burn up the wires -
As they move away, DISSOLVE OUT.
EXT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING - FULL SHOT - DAWN
DISSOLVE IN on the Empire State Building, as Kong climbs it
with the girl. The first streaks of Dawn light the sky.
EXT. AIRPORT - GENERAL VIEW - DAWN
Military planes as they take off from an airport.
EXT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING - FULL SHOT - DAWN
The dome of the Empire State Building as Kong climbs up.
EXT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING - FULL SHOT - DAWN
The crowd in the street, watching this aghast. There are
police cars, motorcycles, fire engines, and two of three
searchlight units, keeping their lights fixed on him. Police
are keeping the crowd back. VERTICAL SHOT DOWN.
EXT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING - FULL SHOT - DAWN
Kong climbs to stand on the dome, holding the girl. He beats
his chest, defying the whole civilized world.
EXT. SKY AND CITY - GENERAL VIEW - DAWN
An airplane squadron over New York, flying toward the Empire
State Building. If desirable, this can be done without city
below, just against sky backing. The planes are pursuit
ships.
EXT. 1ST AIRPLANE - MED. SHOT - DAWN
The squadron leader looking over the side of the plane. He
waves a signal to the other and dives.
EXT. SKY AND CITY - FULL SHOT - DAWN
The leader dives toward the Empire State Building, seen far
below, Kong is just a dot on the roof. The rest continue to
fly in formation.
EXT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING - FULL SHOT - DAWN
Kong hears the planes. He turns to look as the squadron
leader banks about the top of the building, making a
reconnaissance. Kong puts the girl down and suddenly reaches
out, snatches the plane out of the air. He crumples it and
hurls it to --
EXT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING - FULL SHOT - DAWN
-- the street below. It lands just short of the crowd and
bursts into flames.
EXT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING - FULL SHOT - DAWN
Kong again roars angry defiance at the world.
EXT. 2ND AIRPLANE - MED. SHOT - DAWN
The observer of a 2nd plane taps the pilot's back, indicates
here's their chance. The military pilot of the second
airplane fires machine gun as he dives.
(NOTE: A LONG SHOT of Kong in dome from angle of plane would
it it's possible, help observer get this over. Maybe ZOOM
SHOT, plane in background)
EXT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING - FULL SHOT - DAWN
The airplane whizzes by Kong, firing into him.
EXT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING - MED. SHOT - DAWN
Kong is seen from the waist up. The bullet strikes him about
the chest. He staggers.
EXT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING - MED. SHOT - DAWN
The girl watching, terrified.
EXT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING - FULL SHOT - DAWN
Another airplane zooms by firing into Kong.
EXT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING - MED. SHOT - DAWN
Again Kong is hit. He coughs. He looks down at the girl. He
looks at his wounds, realizes he is weakening. He moves to --
EXT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING - FULL SHOT - DAWN
-- pick her up.
EXT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING - MED. SHOT
As he stares at her with a puzzled, hurt look. The he puts
her --
EXT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING - FULL SHOT - DAWN
-- down, straightens up, roars defiance up at the planes. He
coughs as he drums his chest, daring them to come on.
EXT. CITY AND SKY - FULL SHOT - DAWN
The remainder of the squadron dive together towards the
Empire State Building.
EXT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING - FULL SHOT - DAWN
They sweep past Kong with a roar of machine guns. He
staggers, turns and slowly topples off the roof.
EXT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING - GENERAL VIEW - DAWN
Kong as he falls to --
EXT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING - FULL SHOT - DAWN
-- the street below. He lands beside the burning airplane.
EXT. DOME OF THE EMPIRE STATE - DAWN
Ann lying on ledge. Driscoll, Denham, couple of cops rush in,
as Kong goes over. Driscoll leaps across, gets Ann, he is
incoherent with terror for her. He kisses her wildly, talking
all the time.
DRISCOLL
Ann! Ann! Are you all right? Oh, my
darling, sure you're not hurt?
ANN
Ad lib.
Denham and one cop lean over the parapet looking down at the
fallen Kong.
COP
(drawing a long breath)
Gee, what a sight. Well, the
aviators got him.
DENHAM
Oh no, 'twasn't the aviators
(Cops looks question)
It was Beauty killed the Beast.
Cop stares at him, very puzzled.
FADE OUT.
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