King Kong 1933

Robb and Josh kick off spooky season with King Kong (1933)—and reach very different verdicts on the Eighth Wonder of the World. Robb loves the classic adventure, while Josh thinks Kong, the dinosaurs, and the music deserve better human actors.

From Skull Island to the Empire State Building, they discuss Willis O’Brien’s stop-motion creations, Max Steiner’s score, Fay Wray’s screams, and why the film’s strange, dreamlike effects can still deliver. Along the way: Bob Newhart’s Kong routine, the missing spider-pit sequence, Robb’s chained-up Kong collectible, and the questionable wisdom of putting a giant ape on Broadway.

Can spectacular monster battles overcome wooden acting and a slow start? Their scores tell the story: Robb gives it 9/10; Josh gives it 3/10—though Josh would happily give Kong’s dinosaur-smashing highlights a 10.

Then Josh turns the tables with four mystery envelopes and takes control of the next movie selection.

Episode chapters

• 00:00 — Opening banter
• 02:44 — Bob Newhart’s King Kong routine
• 06:43 — Josh’s Kong memories and the film introduction
• 10:00 — The overture, Carl Denham, and Ann Darrow
• 25:00 — Kong arrives: stop-motion and movie magic
• 32:21 — The log bridge and missing spider pit
• 34:31 — Max Steiner’s score and Kong versus the T. rex
• 40:00 — Ann’s rescue and Kong’s capture
• 46:39 — Broadway, chrome-steel chains, and Robb’s collectible
• 54:07 — Kong loose in Manhattan
• 1:03:30 — Is Kong the real victim?
• 1:09:16 — Awards, production trivia, and Kong’s legacy
• 1:19:18 — Josh’s verdict
• 1:27:38 — Final ratings: 3 versus 9
• 1:31:38 — Josh’s mystery envelopes and the next movie reveal