King Kong - 1933 Screenplay

EXT. GLADE - FULL SHOT - DAWN

As the men come from the edge of the jungle, last fringe of
shrubbery masking foreground, to look out upon an open glade.
They pause, as they see broken shrubbery. It is now full
dawn. Use "Most Dangerous Game" ledge set, men coming towards
camera.

DRISCOLL
That's right. We're on his trail.

He leads them forward out into -

EXT. GLADE - FULL SHOT - DAWN

The open glade. Kong's footsteps is visible in soft earth
again.

DRISCOLL
(sees footprints, points,
shouts back without
stopping)
There!

All hurry forward in a dog trot. A couple of sailors,
running, pass Driscoll, then stop, run back into the arms of
the others.

SAILORS
Look out! Look out!

They point and all stop as they see --

An immense spike-tailed beast coming through the jungle
parallel with them, partially masked by trees. Men in
foreground here. (Williams Process)

DENHAM
Great Scott, that's something I
didn't know about.

DRISCOLL
I got an idea there's plenty on
this island you weren't figuring
on.

The beast crashes out into the open.

DENHAM
Gimme one of those bombs.

ONE ANGLE ONLY

He snatches a bomb from the sailor who is carrying them.

EXT. GLADE - DAWN

The beast charges. The men run. Only Driscoll and Denham
stand their ground. Driscoll fires several times without
effect. This should be a very wide glade to get the full
effect of a long charge.

EXT. GLADE - FULL SHOT - DAWN

The first angle at edge of glade, with Denham and Driscoll in
the foreground, other men running back.

DRISCOLL
(gun empty)
It won't stop him.

Denham throws his bomb.

EXT. GLADE - FULL SHOT - DAWN

Second angle again. The bomb strikes the beast, explodes. Out
of the smoke, the two-horned beast staggers towards the two
men. They throw themselves to either side.

EXT. GLADE - FULL SHOT - DAWN

First angle. Driscoll and Denham throw themselves flat on the
ground as --

EXT. GLADE - FULL SHOT - DAWN

In the first angle, the beast collapses just short of the
men.

EXT. GLADE - DAWN

Its head is just short of Driscoll. It goes limp.

EXT. GLADE - FULL SHOT - DAWN

The sailors, huddled behind the shrubbery at the edge of the
wood (as in the first shot of this sequence) stare at --

EXT. GLADE - FULL SHOT - DAWN

The beast, unconscious on the ground. In the foreground,
Denham and Driscoll pick themselves up.

EXT. GLADE - FULL SHOT - DAWN

FIRST ANGLE - the sailors run forward to --

EXT. GLADE - FULL SHOT - DAWN

Join Driscoll and Denham. They start forward towards the
beast. It is in the background. (Projection)

DENHAM
Wait a minute. He's only knocked
out.

He takes a gun from one of the men and goes forward to the
great beast's head. He shoots it through the ear. It's starts
convulsing, then grows rigid.

DENHAM
(after a look, speaks to
Driscoll)
I told you those gas bombs would
bring down anything. We'll get that
ape alive.

DRISCOLL
We're not trying to catch the ape -
we're trying to save that girl.
Come on - we're losing time.

He leads them off towards --

LAP DISSOLVE - EXT. STREAM - FULL SHOT - DAY