I adored 1949's Mighty Joe Young as a kid in the Sixties.
It must have been on the telly if I saw it.
The amazing black and white scene created by the dynamic duo of Willis O'Brien and Ray Harryhausen [his first film] where Joe grapples the lion wagon has stuck with me to this day.
With my trusty Britains Gorilla like the one below I saw on Ebay [which you must have had too readers] I played out this scene over and over with my Chipperfields Circus set lions.
Seeing this different vintage set on Ebay - the Cragstan Kiddie Land Train - it took me right back to me monkeying around with my Mighty Joe.
I think someone has added the gorilla as its not listed on the box!
Do you have any Mighty Joe memories readers or any gorilla toys?
Take was an amazing piece of film making, and model work. Created by true Masters.
ReplyDeleteWillis O Brien, the Kongfather!
DeleteThey sure were Paul. I wonder where the props for this film ended up. I read that Forry Ackerman once owned an original King Kong model.
ReplyDeleteMighty Joe Young was my favorite for years. I also recently got the colorized version of the original King Kong, and it rocks! Even better in color! SFZ
ReplyDeleteWow! Kong in Colour! Too much!
DeleteVery much a part of my childhood memories.
ReplyDeleteParticularly the scene where he rescues the children from the burning orphanage.
What a poignant image that is Mish.
DeleteI had most of the tie-in toys to Peter Jackson's "King Kong". The series included several K2's of the same size but with slightly different features and I ended up selling a few of them but kept the rest - along with the prehistoric critters and the Skull Island playset.
ReplyDeleteBlimey! You e got everything at Vegas Base Ed! What's a K2?
DeleteMy nickname for King Kong - K2
Delete