What Happened to the King Kong Statue at Silver City in West Edmonton Mall? - Best Edmonton Mall

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The Silver City theater in West Edmonton Mall is most remembered for it's animatronic fire-breathing dragon. But, when the dragon was removed in 2014, another iconic statue went with it: King Kong.
But, what happened to the King Kong statue? Well, it was salvaged from certain doom at the 11th hour... well, at least part of it was.
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[@Plumiscus]

I used to worked for this theater back in the late 90's to early 2000's. Sad to see a lot of the stuff gone

[@jupiter0jupiter]

These videos about silver city make me feel so nostalgic and I can't believe how many memories from my childhood these videos bring back. The dragon always terrified me!

[@HappyMornings]

Yes you can feel the heat from the flames. We literally went to silvercity just to see it. The lightning and music made it awe inspiring and yes a little scary even when i was 17 hehe

[@MarcusFerg21]

This is great! I was in Edmonton from 1997 - 2003 working for A-Channel. I didn’t realize all the changes made to the mall and Silver City. Change can be very sad. The Dragon was the coolest but i loved Kong too. It was a great theatre. One store I loved in the mall was the Hologram Store. Thanks for doing these videos. Its one way to extend the memories of these lost treasures.

[@telephonewyre]

Hologram store? 🤯

[@telephonewyre]

I'm SO happy that fan reached out and told us Kong is still around. I really wish they would have just closed the theatre completely and revamped it 100% and crazier than before. Why does everything need to be so posh nowadays

[@greybeard7828]

Worked there from 2001 - 2011. Cineplex absolutely killed the magic that ‘Silver City’ managed to capture. Excalibur’s/Ellie’s babies are still located over South Bar across from theatre 9. I managed to get a couple of pieces of Ellie’s claw when they took her down.

[@jaywhy6429]

Ellie? Did the dragon have a name?!

[@Revegelance]

@@jaywhy6429 Yeah, the dragon's name was Excalibur, Ellie for short.

[@jaywhy6429]

@@Revegelance Huh. don't they advertised that..

[@MegaMBD123]

It's a good day when we have another BEM video

[@dylanmeak9540]

I’m so glad someone is so interested in wem like me

[@HappyMornings]

I LOVE WEM

[@yarkobroda]

I loved those F-14s that hung next to the escalators on the way up.

[@darrenpaches3731]

I liked them too. I volunteered at the Alberta Aviation Museum on Kingsway Ave for many years. I remember seeing the 2 F-14's show up and quickly sold off. Don't know where they are now.

[@TheJamieOlet]

If your not sick of theater stuff, the Chinook mall in Calgary used to have a crazy Lazer and fire show at its theater...now I think all that's left is a snake?

[@onewhitedude]

Is there a video of this attraction? I can't find it anywhere. Also, did other former Famous Players theatres around Canada have similar attractions to the dragon?

[@NorthernTigress]

Would you be able to do a "what happened to Centennial Mall?" video? I know the simple answer is "it became Mayfield Common", but there are so many missing details.

[@alexrushdy2751]

I missed Kong so much... Glad to hear he's alive. I also remember a 3D movie theatre in the food court that used to show 4D zombie movies and such!

[@jaywhy6429]

Yah. I tried to remember where that was. I never got to do it, but I remember the owner standing out front waiting for customers. The mall was much better back then

[@alexrushdy2751]

@@jaywhy6429 I think there used to be a cinnamon bun either next to it or in its place. Isn't a Jimmy the Greek now or something?

[@jaywhy6429]

@@alexrushdy2751 In the phase 3 food court, yah?

[@alexrushdy2751]

@@jaywhy6429 Yeah!

[@jaywhy6429]

@@alexrushdy2751 Yah, I remember! That part of the mall was alive and exciting. Now.. bland and boring.

[@kevbot96]

this video + the dragon one really makes me miss the way Silvercity theatre was /: I would always go up to the theatre area just to see all the statues and how cool/unique the theatre was compared to any other! To this day in my 20's I would go up there to reminisce about the good old times & to look at the statues that are still there! I gasped when you said they were planning to get rid of all the statues! Glad they decided not to get rid of Yoda & Batman

[@andrewrys8663]

The celing is not as intresting with the dragon gone they could have tried star trek or star wars ships with the stars on top if possible. The new 4DX Theatre we have now is fun that just opened I think just 2 to 5 weeks ago.

[@mitchm5049]

You Toobe that’s not nice

[@chonkeyshonkey]

@You Toobe There's no need to be rude.

[@jaywhy6429]

Man, the theatre has intesting history. Think the cineplex takeover ruin on what famous players had.

[@shannonmarshall4263]

I loved that dragon. I remember standing on the top level as close to the fire as possible, it was so hot I’m surprised they even let people do it. Pretty awesome that those guys have the Kong head though!

[@Bthomofkongisking]

The Batman on a surfboard figure is also at a Winnipeg theater, along with what I think is supposed to be superman's rocket leaving an exploded Krypton. Another theater has a Starship Enterprise.

[@razeelitee]

it’s cool that they added vr and the cool seats when you watch the rise of sky walker

[@brentwatier6654]

So fortunate to have experienced the fire breathing dragon and Kong. I realize things cost money but it’s sad when Things change. I love the mall. I can’t wait to drive from Saskatoon and go back in December!!

[@N0xKn1ght]

I used to work for Cineplex Odeon and often visited Silver City as my time as a projectionist for Cineplex Odeon.

[@Hans_Niemand]

Maybe they could make the empty ceiling into an actual planetarium. Sorry I'll never get a chance to see that old dragon.

[@vmaxes]

It was pretty cool to see. Im 49 now, when the mall opened it was quit the place to hangout for us small town kids back then. Now I dont even want to go there! Parking lots are always full, the place is packed, its ridiculous

[@HappyMornings]

Hang some planets or something. A battlestar?! Gosh!! We lost bourbon street to urban refinement bring some fun back!! I agree

[@randomguy9113]

I remember going to the mall every now and then growing up. I can remember feeling the heat of the dragons fire

[@MyAwkwardAzn]

You can at least still find the Fire Breathing Dragon's babies at the theatres! They will carry on the legacy....

[@HappyMornings]

Awe the way they turned their heads omg so cute I was hoping he wouldnt say they were gone. No mention of their removal is a big sigh of relief

[@lukerinderknecht2982]

This channel makes me happy to relive the nostalgia, but equally sad at the same time to realize the heydays are over at WEM.

[@ryankowalchuk850]

The hands from King Kong were saved as well, and are now at a horror themed shop in New Horizon Mall near Calgary.

[@bertaboy9078]

As in the shitty one across the way from Crossiron?

[@chonkeyshonkey]

What's the name of the store?

[@m1k3l1f3]

It still feels so weird knowing that i used to work there and now live right by the mall. Also that King Kong looks terrifying. I cant imagine how dusty Batman is now.

[@chonkeyshonkey]

Yeah King Kong look evil

[@terriemeikle8056]

Awesome video Matt!

[@mattyrey3890]

A question I didn’t even know I had till now. Love your channel ❤️

[@jaywhy6429]

Just thinking about the Triple 5 Group and the Brothers.. They have seem forgotten about WEM. Putting all their ideas, creativity and excitement in to their USA malls. American Dream has a ski hill?! MOA has all the unique restaurants and better themes. WEM seems like a thing of the pass for them... Anyone else agree?

[@DevilFish69]

That King Kong looked so cool.

[@mrdeeds72]

Love your videos!

[@Revegelance]

I've worked at that theatre since 2002, it's been interesting, seeing how things have changed over the years. While I don't miss the noise of the dragon, I can still agree that the place has lost a lot of the personality that made it really special. I mean, Outtakes is decent, and the current concession functions much better than the old one did, but at the same time, the style of everything is just kinda bland. I had no idea that someone saved Kong's head, though. I can't say I'm surprised, though. By the way, it's interesting that you showed the arcade in its current, transitional state, with that huge open space. Apparently we're getting some VR stuff there.

[@BestEdmontonMall]

I needed footage of the arcade, so I dropped by to film it. I was so confused when I saw it like that. I guessed SOMETHING was happening. Cool that it is VR. And yea, I've heard that the noise is not missed by theatre employees. 😂

[@thescoot106]

This was unexpectedly adorable.

[@hudson5742]

Another KZbinr Uploads: I Sleep. BEM Uploads: A W A K E N S

[@onewhitedude]

If they plan to take down one or all of the remaining statues down, I would really want to take a part of either Batman, Yoda, the dragon babies, or the steam punk flyers on the day that they remove them

[@jarrettaustin1602]

Great video as always. I miss Silver City. :(

[@pinkfrosting5580]

YES another video, love 'em.

[@mrdss]

Your videos are great

[@selenayonge743]

Keep doing videos about west edmonton mall it’s my favourite videos to watch!

[@markusmuhs]

I don't remember buying tickets in advance, but I was there in a long line to get into the theater for the 1AM showing of The Phantom Menace on opening morning. It was a magical place! Years later watched The Force Awakens there and it's still the last time I set foot in that theater. Once you go VIP it's hard to go back to coach.

[@m1k3l1f3]

Reminder set!

[@zeptoglow8500]

Mack told me this video was coming. Can't wait!

[@BestEdmontonMall]

Who's Mack? 😂

[@zeptoglow8500]

He's my friend, and the owner of the King Kong statue head. He said to be excited about a new video about it!

[@BestEdmontonMall]

@@zeptoglow8500 I was joking, lol. Of course I know Mack!

[@zeptoglow8500]

@@BestEdmontonMall 😅 I knew that.

[@TheRealKeegan_]

Growing up in yeg, these videos are soooo nostalgic

[@pinkfrosting5580]

I miss the arcades and the light gun game

[@heyimamaker]

Saw so many movies at this theater! I probably still have every ticket stub.

[@bubbleshoe1]

I happen to work there, and at least once a shift I get a question asking about where the dragon or Kong went. Should probably just tell them to check out your channel lol

[@BestEdmontonMall]

You probably should! ;)

[@pinkmonkeysrock11101]

Great video. I sure do miss the early 2000 wem.

[@kris7625]

They should have moved the fighter planes that were outside the theatre to where the dragon used to be

[@chonkeyshonkey]

That and move Yoda over there and keep King Kong where he stood because it still pisses me off of how they got rid of Kong

[@mdemars0606]

I love your channel! Heres another idea for you, or a couple. How about what happened to the other two movie theaters and what are the areas currently used for? Also what about the market place that was upstairs above galaxyland, you had to take escalators up which had little shops upstairs. And again what is that area being used for

[@airaero5473]

5:51 no pun intended

[@casketbrain7697]

Ya got many pic's of all those iconic statues and The Dragon

[@Catsjamify]

The news report from Colin Maclean! This is Edmonton.

[@HappyMornings]

I can proudly say i saw the first 3d show Silvercity ever had. It was a 3d educational program on t-rexs and prehistoric life. When that dino egg hit the floor you saw some serious shit. Lol. I worked at the the theatre in 2006. The dragon would scare kids and make babies cry but working with it while closing was always dramatic and entertaining. Their was an initiative of upgrading to a combo and i got 30% of the combo sales in my first week back when mission impossible three came out and fast and the furious was still a thing. I remember cleaning the glasses for the 3d theatre and watching a beautiful brandon routh as superman in superman returns vividly. I went and watched part of the movie as the glasses went through the machine. I loved the king kong but he scared me a bit with his red eyes. The plane added movement and interest. The steampunk wings would always squeak. Hehe it was fun times.

[@CoasterDave]

thanks, mack!

[@shattervelocity]

When they removed the dragon I was really bummed out because my daughter was just born that year and I really wanted to show her the dragon when she turned at least 2. Now I dont really feel like I need to go that theatre specifically anymore.

[@loganneudorf7880]

All of the statues and animatronics were awesome but...can we get that taco bell back?

[@LakeNipissing]

17 thumbs-up, and no video yet.

[@keithbouchard2007]

i hope somebody saved the head of the dragon atleast lol

[@astriddelis6101]

KIDSTROPOLIS NEXT PLZ

[@jaywhy6429]

I worked there in its prime, one of the best jobs I've ever had! Driving the fire truck, ambulance and running the recording studio. ahh, good times!

[@aplam94]

Omg yes I had my 12th birthday party there.

[@brandonschroeder934]

I did only once but my favourite was the dragon

[@peter.s-yt]

What company made king kong?

[@JeffT77]

Enjoy your malls history guys! Hopefully this American Dream Mall will have some positive history to talk about as well. Stay safe everyone!

[@joemcgrath724]

I’ve been original server city many times in my life

[@airaero5473]

I wonder if the plane also ended up in the dumpster?

[@baileym369]

It will always be silver city to me!

[@RadioMan8745]

kinda sad what happened to the theatre it now just feels so generic and bland compared to what it was when i was a kid i remember going to the place on opening day and when the theatre was massively changed it lost almost all of its character. I wonder why they chose to get rid of everything like the dragon i kinda get expensive to maintain but they could of replaced it with a dragon statue hanging above just like kong. Who knows Cineplex is a weird overpriced company these days.

[@HappyMornings]

Yeaa all the dust though. It would have to be cost effective LOL and easy to clean. They can afford it so wtf.

[@CiloAngel]

My aunt said that her friend kept his hand. Lol

[@brandoalexander6901]

Plz plz plz do a playdium video!!!!!

[@krinkle274]

Do you know if the audio of the dragon is still around?

[@bubbleshoe1]

Krinkle I don’t think it is. I’m pretty sure the file is outdated and I know for a fact it’s not played at the theatre anymore. But who knows, maybe they still have the file. I could ask for you lol

[@krinkle274]

​@@bubbleshoe1 I would kill for that audio! It was so epic, I can close my eyes and hear it building up suspense as everyone moved to the best spots to watch.

[@jacobnamod3034]

they couldve easily sold this stuff, wow, IN THE BIN... what a find.

[@philollenberg]

They put the "NO" in "reNOvations."

[@khunopie9159]

I wouldn't say I'm your fan, but I am a regular viewer. Is that ok?

[@EldrinLynn]

So this king kong and the dragon were removed july 2014? Or is that when renos started? Cus in Aug 2014 they were still there....well the dragon was. I cant remember if I seen king kong or not. Gotta look back on my photos.

[@jaywhy6429]

I believe that only in a matter of years that the Apple Store and SunRise Records will switch places SunRise is hurting and that space is way too big for the crap they sell. The Apple Store would fill that space wit no issues at all! It's designed for it! Genius Bar, classrooms, etc on one floor, and the retail on next. The Apple Store would bring that area of the mall back to life! Not what it use to be.. You agree?

[@sabrinamiller3671]

Is Sunrise really doing poorly? Do you know why? Granted, HMV was better, but...

[@mydjmode]

Back when they used to say Christmas. Miss those days.. PS. WEM'S turning into such a dull and lifeless place.

[@ozbullymorales1020]

I’m there all the time and I never noticed.

[@chonkeyshonkey]

King Kong looks evil