King Kong - 1933 Screenplay

THE BRIDGE. NIGHT. Englehorn, Denham, Driscoll - talking over
chart table.

DENHAM
Now tomorrow morning, pick out the
men to go ashore. Couple of those
nervous boys you better leave
aboard.

ENGLEHORN
Mr. Denham wants you to break out
the trade goods the first thing
tomorrow.

DENHAM
We'll try a little bribery.

DRISCOLL
Still hoping to make friends with
that bunch ashore?

DENHAM
Sure. We've got to. I've got to
find out what Kong is.

ENGLEHORN
(impatiently)
He's their tribal legend, their
god, of course.

DRISCOLL
You planning to make movies of a
fairy story?

DENHAM
How do you know Kong's only a
legend or a fairy story? That wall
wasn't built for fun.

DRISCOLL
But you said yourself it was built
so long ago the people who live
here now don't know anything about
it.

DENHAM
Yes, but they've kept it in damn
good repair. Did you see how those
gates were fastened? They're meant
to keep something out.

Englehorn and Driscoll exchange skeptical looks.

Noise of drums increase suddenly.

ENGLEHORN
(looks at watch)
After ten. And they're still at is
ashore.

DENHAM
If I could only take pictures by
firelight! I'd sneak back there now
and get a scene.

ENGLEHORN
(exasperated)
Be sensible. We're lucky to be all
safe aboard tonight.

DENHAM
Oh sure, sure.

He looks to Driscoll, who has crossed over and is peering
down onto the deck.

DENHAM
What is is, Jack?

DRISCOLL
Oh -- er -- I was looking for Ann.
She's gone below, I guess.

DENHAM
How about turning in, Skipper?

ENGLEHORN
No, not for me tonight.

DENHAM
But you've set a watch in the bow.

Englehorn shakes his head stubbornly. Driscoll starts to go.

DENHAM
Oh well, I'll sit up with you then.

ENGLEHORN
Mr. Driscoll, I wish you'd take a
star sight. See how our position
checks up with what I got last
night before we ran into the fog.

Driscoll gets out the instruments.

DRISCOLL
(reluctantly)
Yes sir. I guess it's been a long
time since the map-makers got a
brand new island to put down.

DISSOLVE TO Charley, on afterdeck, tying Ignatz and scolding
him in Chinese. Ignatz chattering and scolding right back at
him. SHOT of bow watch, having a peaceful nap.

DISSOLVE TO Bridge, interior - Englehorn and Driscoll bending
over chart, making calculations. Denham half asleep in a
chair.

ENGLEHORN
That's about it.
(marking chart)
We'll make absolutely sure tomorrow
noon.

Denham yawns, stretches, looks at watch, crosses and looks
toward shore.

DENHAM
About midnight. Hey, look at that.

ENGLEHORN
(crosses and looks)
Torches going through the village.

Driscoll exits.

DENHAM
Looks like the night before
election.

Noise of drums increases suddenly.

DENHAM
Listen to 'em, will you? Wonder
what's up.

CUT TO main deck. Driscoll speaking to Charley.

CHARLEY
My don't know, sir. My not see
Missy one, two hour.

DRISCOLL
Guess, she's in her cabin.

He goes off. Charley takes a long round deck, sees something
near rail. Goes over, picks it up. A native bracelet of woven
straw. He examines it for a moment, suddenly realizes what it
means, jumps and shouts.

CHARLEY
On deck! On deck!

He stamps frantically on deck, turns and runs for the bridge.

Man on watch in bow runs to rail of fo'c'sle head and shouts.

SAILOR IN BOW
All hands on deck!

CUT TO bridge. Charley runs into Englehorn and Denham.

CHARLEY
Look sir! My found on deck.

ENGLEHORN
A native bracelet!

CHARLEY
Crazy black man that place comes
this place!

Driscoll arrives on the run.

DRISCOLL
Who's turning out the crew? What's
the matter?

ENGLEHORN
Charley found this. Some one's been
aboard. Search the ship.

Charley exits.

DRISCOLL
Oh my God! Where's Ann?

DENHAM
In her cabin -

DRISCOLL
No, she isn't! I just looked.

He rushes out. Confused sound of sailors' voices from deck
below. Englehorn leans from wheel-house window, shouts down.

ENGLEHORN
Bos'n!

BOS'N'S VOICE
(from below)
Yes sir.

ENGLEHORN
Man the boats. Serve out the
rifles. Search the ship.

BOS'N'S VOICE
Yes sir.

Bos'n's whistle is heard, creak and thump of davits.
Englehorn takes his revolver from chart-table drawer,
examines it, puts it in his pocket.

DENHAM
The boats, Skipper? D'ye think -- ?

ENGLEHORN
(significantly)
They may have stolen something.

They look at each other for a moment, as they start out.