Ray Morton

A full-scale bust of Kong made from wood, plaster, rubber and bearskin was built for certain shots in KK33. Inside, 6 men operated levers that opened Kong's mouth, raised his eyebrows, etc.

Learn more when my book KING KONG: THE HISTORY OF A MOVIE ICON is published by Bloomsbury in April 2026.

For decades, the 2nd Kong armature was thought lost, but in the 2000s it turned up for auction at Christie's. It is now in the collection of Peter Jackson.

Learn more when the 2nd ed. of my book KING KONG: THE HISTORY OF A MOVIE ICON is published by Bloomsbury in April 2026. Pre-order now.

After Phil Ellison rescued 1 of the Kong puppets, he steamed off the remaining fur/rubber to keep it from eating away the armature, which he entrusted to renowned prop collector Bob Burns.

Learn more when the 2nd ed of KING KONG: THE HISTORY OF A MOVIE ICON is published by Bloomsbury in April 2026.

After SON wrapped, 1 of the puppets was sent to the RKO prop warehouse, where it spent 30 years rotting away until it was rescued by animator Phil Kellison.

Learn more when the 2nd ed. of KING KONG: THE HISTORY OF A MOVIE ICON is published by Bloomsbury in April 2026. Pre-order now.

Marcel Delgado covered the 18-inch Kong puppets in white fur and crafted a new face with a larger snout to create Little Kong for 1933's THE SON OF KONG.

Learn more when the 2nd edition of my book KING KONG: THE HISTORY OF A MOVIE ICON is published by Bloomsbury in April 2026. Pre-order now.

A Kong puppet posed atop the miniature Empire State Bldg battling a mini biplane in front of glass paintings of the Manhattan skyline for KING KONG 1933

Learn more when the 2nd edition of my book KING KONG: THE HISTORY OF A MOVIE ICON is published by Bloomsbury in April 2026. Pre-order now.

Assistant Buzz Gibson animates 1 of the 18-in puppets during filming of Kong's climb up the Empire State Building for KING KONG 1933

Learn more when the 2nd edition of my book KING KONG: THE HISTORY OF A MOVIE ICON is published by Bloomsbury in April, 2026. Pre-order now from Amazon or Bloomsbury.

1 of Marcel Delgado's 18-inch Kong puppets posed on the miniature set of Kong's lair during the production of KING KONG 1933.

Find out more when the 2nd edition of my book KING KONG; THE HISTORY OF A MOVIE ICON is published by Bloomsbury in April, 2026. Pre-order now from Amazon or Bloomsbury.

Kong 1933's facial features were rubber bits containing wires that could be manipulated to create various expressions. His eyes were glass beads. The face was rebuilt 3-4x so Kong's look changes thru the film.

KING KONG: THE HISTORY OF A MOVIE ICON will be published by Bloomsbury in April 2026.

1 of Marcel Delgado's 18-inch tall Kong puppets posed with 1 of 2 Stegosauruses Delgado made for the abandoned film CREATION and repurposed for the 1933 KING KONG.

The 2nd edition of my book KING KONG; THE HISTORY OF A MOVIE ICON will be published by Bloomsbury in April, 2026. Preorder now.

Photo of a Kong's duraluminum armature along with a photo of the finished puppet used in the making of KING KONG 1933.

The revised and updated edition of my book KING KONG; THE HISTORY OF A MOVIE ICON will be published by Bloomsbury in April, 2026. Pre-order now from Amazon or Bloomsbury.

3 views of a Kong puppet being animated on a miniature Skull Mountain for a scene deleted from the original 1933 KING KONG.

The revised and updated edition of my book KING KONG; THE HISTORY OF A MOVIE ICON is published by Bloomsbury in April, 2026. Pre-order now from Amazon or Bloomsbury.

The 2 18-in Kong puppets used in the 1933 KING KONG, built over articulated duraluminum armatures, fleshed out with cotton, wrapped in rubber and covered with rabbit fur.

The 2nd edition of my book KING KONG: THE HISTORY OF A MOVIE ICON will be published by Bloomsbury in April 2026. Pre-order now.

Merian Cooper created King Kong, but Marcel Delgado MADE him, fabricating 2 18-inch tall puppets, and a full-scale Kong hand, foot, and bust for use in the original 1933 King Kong.

The 2nd edition of my book KING KONG; THE HISTORY OF A MOVIE ICON will be published by Bloomsbury on April 2.

It's easy. They don't.

Legendary entertainment journalist Ed Gross interviewed me for this terrific article on the creation of the original 1933 KING KONG. Thanks to Ed for including me and for the mentions of my upcoming book KING KONG: THE HISTORY OF A MOVIE ICON.

Here's the link:

www.womansworld.com/entertainmen...

More simplistic drivel from David Brooks, which is nothing more that “my country, right or wrong,” which is both childish and dangerous. I am not proud of the current administration or anything it is doing. This does not mean that I do not care deeply about what is happening to it. Grow up.

Another terrific, deep-dive documentary from the great Tim Partridge. Check it out!

YouTube video by Tim Partridge The Identity Crisis of Batman Forever

My latest video is finally here! A 90 minute look at Batman Forever. Many thanks to @oliverharper.bsky.social @morninginbrooklyn.bsky.social @raymorton1.bsky.social @themanfrowns.bsky.social @sceclements-writer.bsky.social @stmoo7.bsky.social @markoconnell.bsky.social
youtu.be/9xA4QmZDWx8?...

🤮

I remember the days when The NY Times would never cover stuff like this. I miss those days, especially when our democracy is being threatened by a criminal president

Pritzker: Over the last four years, we have seen homicides drop in half. That’s something the President should pay attention to. I know he doesn’t read but I know he watches TV so perhaps if someone from Fox or Newsmax is here

Pritzker: Trump looked at the cameras and asked for me personally to say, Mr. President, can you do us the honor of protecting our city? Instead, I say, Mr. President, do not come to Chicago.

Your remarks about this effort have betrayed a continuing slip in your mental faculties

“This is about the President of the United States and his complicit lackey, Stephen Miller, searching for ways to lay the groundwork to circumvent our democracy, militarize our cities, and end elections.” – Gov. J.B. Pritzker

Blu-Sky won't let me post a link, but you can preorder it at Amazon.

The release date for the updated version of my book KING KONG: THE HISTORY OF A MOVIE ICON is February 5, 2026. The 2005 chapters have been revised and updated and new chapters added for Jackson's KONG, the Legendary KONG movies, the Broadway musical, and much more. Preorder link in comments.

🧵Today, I joined community leaders in Los Angeles to announce new federal legislation: the No Masks for ICE Act which stops ICE agents from hiding their faces and identities during enforcement.

I’m proud to be helping lead this legislation with Rep. @velazquez.house.gov.

@repmikejohnson.bsky.social Trump has violated the Constitution numerous times. The bombing was the most egregious. He is a menace and must be removed. You know this. Grow a spine and do something.

@padilla.senate.gov Trump has violated the Constitution numerous times. This is the most egregious. He is a menace and inside for him to go. You must do all you can to make this happen.

@friedman.house.gov Trump has violated the Constitution numerous times. The bombing in the most egregious. He is a menace and must be removed. You must do all you can to make this happen.