The Son of Kong Comes to Heritage!

Dallas, Texas: In 1932, RKO Radio Pictures, the studio that had released such notable pictures as Cimarron (1931), Bird of Paradise (1932) and The Most Dangerous Game (1932), was in trouble. Several years of executive mismanagement, coupled with the effects of a Depression that was crippling the nation, had plunged the company into bankruptcy. It was a dark time for the studio, and they needed a miracle to survive.

What they got, courtesy of directors Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack, and producer David O. Selznik, not to mention the groundbreaking and visually stunning stop-motion animations of Willis O'Brien, was the "Eighth Wonder of the World."

King Kong premiered on March 2, 1933 and was an instant box office smash. Costing a reported $670,000 to make, the film grossed better than $10 million in its initial domestic release and became an overnight classic (remember that in the early 1930s, movie tickets cost, on average, between 25 and 35 cents, and that figure becomes even more impressive).

Not one to ignore a moneymaker, Schoedsack was quick to exploit the franchise (Cooper gave up directing after Kong, in order to assume the duties of Producer on a full-time basis. He's credited as Executive Producer in Son). Virtually as soon as King Kong hit the theaters, Schoedsack was beginning the process of creating a sequel. The only problem: the titular star lay dead at the base of the Empire State Building.

No problem. If Schoedsack couldn't have Kong Sr., he'd take Kong Jr. instead. And thus Son of Kong was born. Rushed onto the RKO schedule, with Robert Armstrong reprising his role as Carl Denham and Willis O'Brien supplying the special effects, production began on March 31, 1933, and the film debuted on December 22 of that same year. It has since won a special place in the hearts of Kong fans worldwide for its outstanding effects and gentle good humor.

"As the film was created and distributed so quickly, RKO barely had the time to put together a proper promotional campaign for Son of Kong," said Grey Smith, Director of Movie Poster Auctions for Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries. "There were two styles of one sheet released for this film, and two styles of three sheet, all of which are exceptionally rare today. Of the four poster styles, the Style A one sheet and three sheet don't show Kiko ? the name given to the Son of Kong, although it is never used in the film ? while the Style B three sheet shows only his face and arm as he sinks beneath the waves while throwing co-star Helen Mack to safety. The Style B one sheet, with Kiko holding Mack in a protective grip, is by far the most desirable piece from this classic film."

"I'm very proud to be able to offer beautiful examples of both the Style A and Style B one sheets in our upcoming auction," said Smith. "Both feature lovely stone litho artwork, and both are in exceptional condition, featuring super rich color and clean, off-white paper. To find one of these posters in an auction is an exciting event, but to have the opportunity to bid on both is unheard of."

Both posters will be offered in Heritage Auction Galleries' upcoming Vintage Movie Poster Signature Auction, to be held July 14, 2006 in Dallas, Texas. For more information, or to bid online, please visit HeritageAuctions.com/MoviePosters.

• Son of Kong (RKO, 1933). One Sheet (27" X 41"). Style B
• Son of Kong (RKO, 1933). One Sheet (27" X 41"). Style A

For more information about Heritage's auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HeritageAuctions.com.

Prospective consignors and sellers of vintage movie posters and related material should contact Grey Smith at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 367, or 214-252-4367, or email GreySm@HeritageAuctions.com.

To reserve your copy of any Heritage auction catalog, please contact Nicole Jewell at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 272, or visit www.HeritageAuctions.com to order by email.