King Kong (1976\1933)

King Kong (1976\1933)

Author: Film Trace March 13, 2025 Duration: 1:02:14

In episode six of our Visionary Remakes season, we explore two versions of the King Kong myth, the original from 1933 and the 1970s remake. We toss in a dash of Peter Jackson's 2005 version as well.

Special Guest: Riley - Good friend of the show and true film buff

King Kong is a cultural institution. How that happened is still a mystery to us children of the 1980s. We grew up with the original. The 1976 version had been memory holed by the time we were children. The 1933 version is iconic for many reasons honorable or not. The special effects were groundbreaking for the time and its blending of genres was unique. But problematic doesn't even begin to describe King Kong (1933). It is hard to watch it without feeling a strong sense of distaste and unease, even viewing it as a film artefact.

The remake of King Kong from 1976 was a bold attempt to one-up Jaws which came out the year before. The summer blockbuster was born, but a big budget and spectacular marketing campaign do not make a hit. The making of King Kong 1976 would probably make for a better movie than what we got on screen. Mired in legal trench warfare, this remake tried to update the King Kong story to incorporate the cynicism of post-Nixon years. It fails mostly, but it does not disappoint. It is an interesting and bizarre watch that is getting reappraised by Zoomers, for better or worse.

Lastly, the 2005 version probably needs its own episode. Peter Jackson's King Kong was highly praised upon its release, and it still is held in high regard. But Dan has more than a few bones to pick with its prestige.


Ever find yourself falling down an internet rabbit hole after the credits roll, clicking from a film’s trivia page to the director’s biography and then to some obscure piece of production history? That’s the exact feeling Film Trace aims to capture and expand upon in audio form. This isn't just another review show. Instead, each episode is a deep, meticulously researched excavation of a single movie’s entire journey. We start with the initial spark of an idea-the script found in a drawer, the chance meeting that got it greenlit-and follow every twist and turn through casting, chaotic production, and post-production. The story continues to the film’s release, its critical and cultural reception, and what legacy it holds now. Think of it as a comprehensive, narrative-driven biography of a film, built on primary sources and genuine curiosity. The hosts at Film Trace use their collective nerd superpowers to do all that obsessive digging for you, weaving together context, history, and behind-the-scenes details into a compelling story about how art gets made. You’ll come away from each installment of this podcast not just with an opinion on a movie, but with a real understanding of its place in the wider world of TV and film. It’s for anyone who believes the story off-screen is just as fascinating as the one projected on it.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 131

Film Trace
Podcast Episodes
Sugar and Spice (2001) and Vanilla Sky (2002) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:49
We continue our Camp Cinema season in our third episode covering Sugar and Spice (2001) and Vanilla Sky (2002)Special Guest: Good friend and frequent guest, MollyThe early Aughts was a bizarre time in American culture. T…
The Love Witch (2016) and Black Swan (2010) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:43
We continue our Camp Cinema season in our second episode covering The Love Witch (2016) and Black Swan (2010)Special Guest: Filmmakers Emily Gallagher and Austin Elston of Fishtown FIlmsAs the dust begins to settle on th…
Madame Web (2024) and Pearl (2022) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:26
Welcome to the first episode of Season 13 of Film Trace. In this season, we will explore the notion of Camp in Film. Building off of Susan Sontag's foundational 1964 essay, Notes on Camp, we will explore two films each e…
A Discourse on The Oscars 2024 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:55
We felt like doing an Oscars show, so we did:Topics of discussion1. Intro: 2023's Film Trace movies. They stood the test of time, but were they awarded upon release?2. Nominated film most obviously conceived specifically…
Dr. Strangelove (1964) and Alphaville (1965) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:55
In the seventh episode of our Future Wars cycle, we discuss the classic Dr Strangelove (1964) alongside a bizarre artifact from the French New Wave, Alphaville (1965)Special Guest: Good friend of the show and onscreen pe…
The Omega Man (1971) and Zardoz (1974) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:01
In the sixth episode of our Future Wars cycle, we discuss the last man on earth romp The Omega Man (1971) as well as the bonkers fever dream that is Zardoz (1974).Special Guest: Sean Patrick from the great Everyone’s a C…
The Terminator (1984) and Aliens (1986) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:56
In the fifth episode of our Future Wars cycle, we tackle two giant films from the action sci fi maestro James Cameron: The Terminator (1984) and Aliens (1986).Special Guest: David Riedel, film critic and co-host of the g…
The Matrix (1999) and Starship Troopers (1997) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:22
In the fourth episode of our Future Wars cycle, we explore two late 90s classic, The Matrix (1999) and Starship Trooper (1997).Special Guest: Evan Crean, film critic and co-host of the great Spoilerpiece Theatre podcast.…