Sci-Fi Classic Review: KING KONG ESCAPES (1967)

[@jlovebirch]

The futuristic sub with a captain named Nelson also suggests the influence of then-popular show Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea.

[@AlejandroGuzman-mh7me]

Loved the Hovercraft in this Movie. Toho's version of the Flying Sub.

[@dougbrowne9890]

As a kid, the local ABC affiliate (WXYZ, Channel 7) would have "Monster Week" about every 6 months, on the 4 O'clock Movie. It is where I first saw this film. I fell in love with it, mostly because I fell in love with both Linda Miller and Mie Hama. Oh, and Mechani-Kong was just so cool!! This film is not as good as War of the Gargantuas, but better than Frankenstein Conquers the World. I think your review of this film is pretty good. Thanks for making it and sharing it with us.

[@IMissThe1990s]

Yet another classic monster movie that I need to add to my list. Mecha-Kong?!? Yes please!!

[@mgkiryuu]

I always remember the tv spot that Scifi Channel did for this film when they showed it waaay back in the day. "They called him the 8th wonder of the world".....cuts to Kong stomping around. "Meet the 9th"....badass panning shot of MechiKong as he is being lifted to the surface of the arctic base.

[@TheUnapologeticGeek]

That's pretty awesome, actually. 😂

[@metalmonke5463]

That’s pretty cool

[@georgeorwell4534]

I saw this movie when I was 10 and I was enthralled. Mechagodzilla wasn't the first giant robot, Mechanakong was!

[@coyoteboy5601]

Me, too! Now I own it on dvd and show it to my friend's grandkids whenever I can. They love it!

[@georgeorwell4534]

@@coyoteboy5601 that's awesome! I have a copy of "The Mysterians", and my son had to admit it was actually a good plot and decent special effects even over 60 years later!

[@dougbrowne9890]

Wouldn't Moguera (from The Mysterians) be the first giant robot, from the live action Toho films?

[@georgeorwell4534]

@@dougbrowne9890 You're right. I guess what I should say is that he is the first robot copy. :)

[@TheJKCrawford]

I saw this movie in 1969 at the Wometco miracle theater in Coral Gables, Florida as a 6-year-old boy. It was very entertaining and the terrifying quality of MechaniKong pursuing a woman has stayed with me now for 52 years.

[@Denis-fp7ku]

Linda Miller and Mie Hama were hot in this.

[@spockboy]

3:55 FUN nerd FACT That's the actor who played the Roman Maximus in the Star Trek episode "Bread and Circuses"

[@JohnWilliamNowak]

The faults of this film vanish when you remember the central premise is the absolute pinnacle of mining technology is a gigantic ape robot. How can you hear that without smiling?

[@rsacchi100]

Nice clip from "Godzilla vs The Smog Monster".

[@jasontoddman7265]

Just fyi since you didn't mention it; The Doctor Who character was also a semi-regular character on the King Kong cartoon, although he looks very different in the movie (in the cartoon he looked like a cross between the original Captain Marvel's Dr. Silvana and Underdog's Simon Bar Sinister). Acts about the same though.

[@kylecurry577]

Like most of the Kaiju movies...plenty of fun. Bring pizza, popcorn & beer

[@AlejandroGuzman-mh7me]

This was like a James Bond Movie, But with King Kong. Doctor Huu was just like a Bond Villain.

[@gmanley1]

I have a DVD of this movie on a triple feature between this, King Kong (2005) and King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962).

[@pulsarstargrave256]

GAMERA V BURUGON (aka War Of The Monsters)

[@ShHeMiLeRe]

Btw Nakajima has plenty of cameos in the films in KKE he's wearing a blue shirt.

[@erocrush]

You gotta do Godzilla v: Hedorah

[@TheUnapologeticGeek]

I totally should!

[@siarnne]

Oh, and I wish to commend you're appropriate use the word "Derpy"

[@kali3665]

Ah, yes, the battle of King Kong ... vs Doctor Who. What the heck? 🤣🤣

[@NoMarketMedia]

That's a storyline we need in our lives 😁

[@ConsciousMigration]

I have NO Idea how this happened, but I've never seen this movie. I'm ashamed of myself.

[@Hewylewis]

Honestly, I was actually thinking of requesting you to review this movie. :) PS: You forgot to talk about the unmade sequel, Continuation: King Kong vs Godzilla.

[@TheUnapologeticGeek]

True.

[@mikehunt4986]

What's with the 1-second image that appears at 6:14? Looks like a video game character holding a triangle above his head?

[@TheClutchCanuck]

This is my 3rd favorite kong film (after the OG and Son) granted it’s a long way down from those 2 but I love mechani-kong! Even though this wasn't it’s debut, the look and battle scene with king kong are delightful. I heard Toho was planning on making a Mechahgodzilla vs Mechani-Kong movie sometime in the 90’s but didn't get past production. Now THAT would be a fun battle 🙂

[@TheUnapologeticGeek]

I just secured a copy of Son of Kong. I'll probably get to it in a couple of months!

[@TheClutchCanuck]

I think you’ll enjoy it, taken into the fact it was only made 9 months after the original, it's impressive what they were able to accomplish! While I do like Mighty Joe Young (1949) more, it’s still a great achievement

[@NoMarketMedia]

Now wait just a minute...This film is completely unbelievable! Everyone knows that apes can't swim 😉 Different kind of escape huh. Must be some long haired hippy kind of snake needed for that task 😁

[@TheUnapologeticGeek]

I really need to try being less obvious. 😎

[@NoMarketMedia]

@@TheUnapologeticGeek Naw. Those in the know will get it. If not, just a pleasant surprise ☺️

[@billhumiston9888]

Is the villain is named "Dr. Who" or "Dr. Hu"? If the former, how did Toho not run afoul of the BBC's legal department? While you did say, "no relation," you didn't elaborate on the spelling that appears in your "Other Notes" section! ;-)

[@thrashpondopons2776]

I heard of a couple of Kong Rip-offs that were made by Japanese studios, but BOTH were lost during the War due to all prints being destroyed in Allied Bombing raids. Any interest in doing a post on that???

[@TheUnapologeticGeek]

I’ve never heard of that. I’ll be sure to discuss it if I decide to do a video on the original King Kong v Godzilla. Thanks for the heads up!

[@Crazy_Rabbids]

How owns Mechani kong?

[@TheUnapologeticGeek]

As I understand it, it's still covered by Universal's ownership of King Kong and all its likenesses. Personally, I think that's insane, because nobody should own the rights to the likeness of a gorilla.

[@Crazy_Rabbids]

@@TheUnapologeticGeek so Legendary owns Mechani kong and Can use him in godzilla vs Kong :D Are you going to reivew Ebirah, horror of the deep?

[@TheUnapologeticGeek]

@@Crazy_Rabbids It’s on my list!

[@Crazy_Rabbids]

@@TheUnapologeticGeek where?

[@PuncherOfAbs]

Most American male actors found resorting to overseas productions as the end of there careers. Once upon a time in Hollywood illustrates this. Russ Tamblyn behavior during the production of war of the Gargantuas is the dark side of this Believe.

[@PuncherOfAbs]

Through out the gamera series children are the protagonist. The monsters are anthropomorphized and the children solve the problems adults over look. Through out the Godzilla series Tsubaria’s soft spot for kids leaked out like a oil can with a Gaping hole. I’m glad it did not happen in this movie. As with the universel monsters prove. You don’t need to go out of your way to appeal to kids by appealing to kids. They like monsters who are like misunderstood superhero’s.