For the first time in decades, the original “King Kong” will unreel at a bona-fide New York City movie theater, when it’s screened on Sunday, April 27, at 4 p.m. at the United Palace of Cultural Arts in Washington Heights (free admission). Director John Landis (“National Lampoon’s Animal House,” “The Blues Brothers,” “Coming to America”) will introduce the film. In honor of the event, here’s a look at some of the big ape’ s cinematic adventures, for better or worse, through the decades:
‘King Kong’ (1933)
The filmmakers originally wanted to shoot the scene where Kong escapes from his chains at Radio City Music Hall — where the film eventually opened simultaneously with the RKO Roxy, a second Rockefeller Center movie house that was torn down in 1953. But because of budget considerations, the escape was instead photographed at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, future site of several Oscar ceremonies.
‘The Son of Kong’ (1934)
This quickie sequel aimed at children was in theaters just nine months later and flopped. It was more successfully reworked as “Mighty Joe Young’’ (1949), co-produced by legendary director John Ford — which itself was remade in 1998 with Charlize Theron.
‘King Kong Escapes’ (1967)
After bringing back the big ape for “King Kong vs. Godzilla’’ (1963), Japan’s Toho studios again collaborated with Universal pictures on this follow-up that kept Kong in Japan to battle with a mechanical version of himself. Hey, it worked for Godzilla.
‘King Kong’ (1976)
Nine years later, Kong’s back for a big-budget event movie starring future Oscar winners Jeff Bridges and Jessica Lange, with his climatic fall moved to the original World Trade Center. And his escape now takes place . . . on Randall’s Island.
‘King Kong Lives’ (1986)
After tumbling from the WTC, the comatose Kong turns up a decade later in North Carolina, where heart surgeon Linda Hamilton revives him by performing heart surgery — and mates him with a giant lady gorilla — in this truly nutty belated sequel.
‘The Mighty Kong'(1998)
Sappy, direct-to-video animated musical aimed at kids, complete with a happy ending. Dudley Moore provides the singing voices for both Kong and Carl Denham, while Jodi Benson (“The Little Mermaid’’) plays the heroine.There’s even a second, unrelated animated Kong musical on video: “Kong: King of Atlantis’’ (2005).
‘King Kong’ (2005)
Kong makes a spectacular comeback as Naomi Watts and Jack Black star in a $210 million remake loaded with eye candy, including a detailed re-creation of 1933 Manhattan. Kong’s escape was shot at an opera house in New Zealand, tricked out as the old Mayfair Theatre at Broadway and 47th Street. Jackson announced plans for “Son of Kong: From the Eagle’s Nest,’’ set in Nazi Germany — but it was only an April Fool’s joke. We hope.