Toho KING KONG Double Feature DVD Set For 11/29

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AndyDursin · #1 Post by **AndyDursin** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 5:50 pm

16:9 widescreen (2.35) at long last for KING KONG ESCAPES and KING KONG VS GODZILLA!!

Yes they're the dubbed US versions but quite honestly I *generally* enjoy the dubbed versions as much as the subtitled, longer Japanese versions...though KING KONG VS GODZILLA is a much better movie in its original Japanese cut.

http://homevideo.universalstudios.com/b ... etId=35927

I'm sure this is the start of a slew of KONG-related DVDs to coincide with the release of the remake in December (obviously WB already has gotten the ball rolling with their Kong box-set announcement).

Eric Paddon · #2 Post by **Eric Paddon** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 3:19 am

At last! It's about time we finally got some good widescreen versions of the US cuts, because truthfully it's been far easier to get widescreen dubs of the Japanese cuts over the years from collectors, while the American ones (admittedly inferior as films) remained only available in pan and scan. Thank goodness Universal finally exercised its rights on these films and are giving them improved transfers.

AndyDursin · #3 Post by **AndyDursin** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 10:45 am

Eric Paddon wrote:At last! It's about time we finally got some good widescreen versions of the US cuts, because truthfully it's been far easier to get widescreen dubs of the Japanese cuts over the years from collectors, while the American ones (admittedly inferior as films) remained only available in pan and scan. Thank goodness Universal finally exercised its rights on these films and are giving them improved transfers.

KING KONG ESCAPES as memory serves was actually a lot of fun. Wasn't it co-produced with Rankin-Bass as a kind of spin-off from the U.S. '60s cartoon (which apparently is ALSO coming out in a box set this November!).

Eric Paddon · #4 Post by **Eric Paddon** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 11:52 am

Yes, Rankin-Bass were co-producers on the film as well, though there are only a few loose connections with the animated series (the name of the island, a character named Susan and the "Dr. Who" villain I believe).

Stuart Galbraith's must-have book "Monsters Are Attacking Tokyo" has some interesting recollections by Rhodes Reason on working in the film.