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poster of Mighty Joe Young
Rating: 6.318/10 by 110 users

Mighty Joe Young (1949)

A young woman, Jill Young, grew up on her father's ranch in Africa, raising a large gorilla named Joe from an infant. Years later, she brings him to Hollywood to become a star.

Directing:
  • Ernest B. Schoedsack
Writing:
  • Ruth Rose
  • Merian C. Cooper
Stars:
Release Date: Wed, Jul 27, 1949

Rating: 6.318/10 by 110 users

Alternative Title:
Panik um King Kong - DE
El gran gorila - ES
Il re dell'Africa - IT
Monsieur Joe - FR
Joe l'invincible - BE
O Gigante Africano - PT
O Monstro do Mundo Proibido - BR
Fantomen från Afrika - SE
Afrikan aave - FI
Fantomet fra Afrika - DK
Mr. Joseph Young of Africa - US

Country:
United States of America
Language:
English
Kiswahili
Runtime: 01 hour 34 minutes
Budget: $1,800,000
Revenue: $1,950,000

Plot Keyword: africa, gorilla, wrestler, decoy, ape, exotic pet, team roping, giant ape, king kong

Terry Moore
Jill Young
Ben Johnson
Gregg Johnson
Regis Toomey
John Young
Lora Lee Michel
Jill (as a child)
Mary Field
Secretary (uncredited)
Ellen Corby
Orphanage matron (uncredited)
Bess Flowers
Nightclub patron (uncredited)
Iris Adrian
Gloria (uncredited)
Jack Pennick
Sam (uncredited)
Joyce Compton
Alice (uncredited)
Byron Foulger
Jones (uncredited)
Addison Richards
Attorney (uncredited)
Henry Kulky
Strong Man (uncredited)
Dwayne Hickman
Boy (uncredited)
Richard Farnsworth
Cowboy (uncredited)
Charles Lane
Producer (uncredited)
Kermit Maynard
Red (uncredited)
Irene Ryan
Southern Belle at the Bar (uncredited)
William Schallert
Gas Station Attendant (uncredited)
Fay Wray
Woman's Scream (uncredited)
Ivan Rasputin
Strongman (uncredited)
Harry Strang
Policeman with Tramp (uncredited)
William 'Wee Willie' Davis
Strongman (uncredited)
Robert Tafur
Headwaiter (uncredited)
Jacqueline Dalya
Nightclub Dancer (uncredited)
Herschel Graham
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Madame Sul-Te-Wan
Young Family Servant (Uncredited)

John Chard

Listen you guys, cut out the rough stuff or I'll feed you to the lions. Unfairly chastised in some quarters for being a kiddie friendly King Kong, Mighty Joe Young is as charming as an Autumnal day. Many of the team from King Kong reteam to make this film, and undoubtedly it's pretty much the same plotting only with a different resolution. However, the effects work is still magical, harking back to a time when geniuses like Willis O'Brien and Ray Harryhausen sweated buckets to make the magic move on the screen. Mighty Joe, the huge Gorilla of the title, is beautifully realised, full of expressions and emotions, he even has time for some sense of humour traits. Action is never far away, with models and sets destroyed with brute force, while plenty of beings get flung about to emphasise the madness of it all. Narratively like Kong there's still themes of greed and ignorance, the tampering with Mother Nature a big mistake, which all leads to a thrilling finale that in turn leads to something to savour. Kiddie Kong? Who cares! A wonderful film of skill and guile, of charm and brains. Go Joe Go! 8/10


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