The point about the identity of the building in that Buzz Gibson shot is a very good one. We've always assumed that it was the Empire State Building. But Kong climbs several buildings and this could be one that's not the ESB.

Also, it does not take away from Obie's glory if one or two very distant shots was filmed with a guy in a suit or a dummy. Remember that big mechanical head and hand. And let's also not forget that Harryhausen also used guys in suits occasionally to sub for his animated models -- as in CLASH OF THE TITANS.

Finally, frequent gorilla-portrayer Charlie Gemora also claimed to have "played King Kong." Until that Gibson photo and the one of Gemora in that MAGIC ISLAND puppet film turned up in THE MAKING OF KING KONG book, I'd always assumed that Gemora was talking about that distant ESB climbing shot. 


Last Edited By: Don Glut Mar 6 10 2:35 PM. Edited 1 times.