I recorded a commentary track discussing the cinematic history of Kong

KING KONG (1976) from Shout! Factory

I recorded a commentary track discussing the cinematic history of Kong and the making of King Kong 1976 for this terrific new Collector’s Edition blu-ray from Shout! Factory. The disc contains both the 1976 theatrical cut, the two-part extended network television version from 1978, a new audio interview with Academy Award-winning make-up artist, creature creator, and Kong-performer Rick Baker, and many other great extras.

My thanks to special features producer Justin Beahm for inviting me to participate in this project. I was honored to have the opportunity to document and pay tribute to my all-time favorite cinematic experience and I'm very proud of the result.

One of the most best aspects of this project was the chance to collaborate with my brother Rich Morton, who shot and edited the recording of the Kong 76 40^th anniversary panel and q&a that was held at the Aero Theatre on December 10, 2016. Thanks to Rich for doing such a great job.

Synopsis

"A dazzling display of what the special-effects people can do when commissioned to construct a 40-foot-tall ape ..." – Vincent Canby, The New York Times

The Petrox company's search for new oil reserves on a strange island unleashes a terror unseen by civilized man – KING KONG! The timeless story of a beauty (Jessica Lange, making her feature-film debut) and a beast comes to the screen in this ambitious production from Dino De Laurentiis. Charles Grodin is the scheming oil company shark out to exploit the giant beast to his fullest. And Jeff Bridges is the desperate hero, Jack Prescott, who attempts to wrest the beautiful heroine from King Kong's grasp. New York City trembles with each echoing footstep of the towering ape set loose in the streets!

Bonus Features

DISC ONE: THEATRICAL CUT (2.35:1)

• NEW Audio Commentary With Film Historian Ray Morton (Author Of KING KONG – THE HISTORY OF A MOVIE ICON)
• NEW Audio Interview With Special Makeup Effects Wizard Rick Baker
• NEW Something’s Haywire – An Interview With Actor Jack O’Halloran
• NEW On The Top Of The World – An Interview With Assistant Director David McGiffert And Production Manager Brian Frankish
• NEW Maybe In Their Wildest Dreams – An Interview With Sculptor Steve Varner
• NEW There’s A Fog Bank Out There – An Interview With Second Unit Director William Kronick
• NEW From Space To Apes – An Interview With Photographic Effects Assistant Barry Nolan
• NEW When The Monkey Dies, Everybody Cries – An Interview With Production Assistants Jeffrey Chernov And Scott Thaler
• Audio: DTS-HD 5.1 And NEW Restored Theatrical DTS-HD 2.0 Stereo Track
• Theatrical Trailer
• TV Spots
• Radio Spots
• Still Galleries – Posters, Lobby Cards, Behind-The-Scenes Photos

DISC TWO: EXTENDED TV BROADCAST CUT (2.35:1)

• NEW 2K Scan Of The Additional TV Footage From The Internegative
• KING KONG Panel Discussion From The Aero Theater (2016)

ORDER THE BLU-RAY FROM:

• Shout! Factory
• Amazon

KING KONG (1976) Blu-Ray & 4K from Studio Canal

The commentary track I recorded for the Shout! Factory 2021 Collector's Edition blu-ray of King Kong (1976) has been included (along with many of that disc's other special features) on this brand new 2022 4K restoration of the film from Studio Canal.