Hello everyone,

Ever since I was a child, I have wanted to have some really
good "King Kong" toys, action figures, or dolls, based on the
characters seen in the original film – especially one of Fay Wray
as "Ann Darrow". If "King Kong" were a brand new movie today, there
would certainly be plenty of toys and merchandise available.
Unfortunately, unless some toy-making executives have a fondness for
our beloved 70-year-old film, I don't think it's going to
happen.

Has everyone seen Mattel's recent "King Kong" Barbie doll?

http://www.barbiecollectibles.com/showcase/product.asp?
type=&subtype=&product_id=1001838

Although the doll IS pretty, the dress doesn't look like anything
worn by Fay in "King Kong". Instead, perhaps they should have
called it "1930's" Barbie, or "Prohibition" Barbie. If the dress is
supposed to resemble Fay's Empire State Building dress, then it
should be sleeveless and without the ruffles at the bottom.

The finest Fay Wray "King Kong" doll that I've ever seen was a
very expensive, one-of-a-kind doll made by Adrian.

http://www.facesbyadrian.com/fay.html

But, unless someone has the money to commission another, I doubt if
Adrian will be making any more.

A few years ago, the Franklin Mint released a very nice "Titanic"
Kate Winslet doll, along with all the various dresses that she wore
in that film. They also sold a miniature trunk, designed to hold
all of her dresses and accessories. The doll, dresses, and
accessories were all very beautiful and highly detailed.

For the 70th Anniversary of "King Kong", it would be nice if a
company like the Franklin Mint were to produce a classy, 12-inch Fay
Wray doll that actually looked like her, along with all the
different outfits that she wore in that film. All of Fay's clothes
could be stored on little wooden hangers in a collectible Skull
Island bamboo crate, or perhaps a Carl Denham Pictures steamer
trunk. Fay's wardrobe should include the following:

(Note: All references to specific colors reflect my own personal
opinion of how the black-and-white images in "King Kong" might have
looked in color.)

1) "Shabby Fay"
A Depression-era dark grey or brown blouse, skirt, and hat, worn as
we first see Fay near the apple vendor and at the café, during her
first encounter with the enthusiastic Carl Denham.
2) "Leaving Port Fay"
A nice, light-colored overcoat and hat, worn on deck as the Venture
leaves New York City harbor.
3) "Carefree Fay"
A pretty white dress with short sleeves and a rope belt, worn on
deck as Fay is happily gazing at the seemingly endless ocean
horizon.
4) "Screen Test Fay" (a.k.a. "Beauty And The Beast" Fay)
A gorgeous long-sleeved shimmering metallic gown, worn on deck as
Fay demonstrates her acting (and screaming) abilities for director
Carl Denham and his movie camera.
5) "Foggy Fay"
A dark vinyl raincoat ensemble, worn on deck as the Venture
perilously navigates a mysterious fog bank, during its search for
the elusive Skull Island.
6) "Skull Island Fay"
A pretty yellow or light beige short-sleeved blouse and skirt, with
white lace collar and black buttons, powder-blue slip, and sensible
pumps worn for her first visit to Skull Island, as well as for her
on-deck love scene with Jack, and her subsequent abduction back to
the island for her sacrifice to Kong. (I know that some Fay
enthusiasts feel very strongly that her blouse and skirt should be
pink. But, since the native chief refers to Fay as "the golden
woman", I believe that a yellow or light beige dress would be more
accurate and practical, and would compliment her blonde hair quite
nicely.)
7) "Tattered Fay"
Same ensemble as above, but showing the ravages of Skull Island's
many dangers, as well as Kong's pesky curiosity.
8) "Opening Night Fay"
A lovely light-colored sleeveless gown with diamond bracelet, high-
heeled shoes, and small handbag, worn onstage for Kong's Manhattan
premiere, and also for her subsequent abduction to the top of the
Empire State Building. Also worn with a mink stole, during Fay's
brief backstage interview with several eager reporters and their
flash bulbs.

If such a Fay doll were actually made and marketed successfully,
future "King Kong" figures and accessories in this set should
include: Carl Denham, Jack Driscoll, Captain Englehorn, Charlie the
cook, Iggy the monkey, Native Chief, Witch Doctor, Native woman w/
coconut brassiere, New York photographer w/ camera & working flash
attachment, biplane w/ Cooper and Schoedsack pilots, spears, gas
bombs, movie camera & tripod, and a Skull Island peninsula playset
(including native village, wall w/ gate, and sacrificial altar)
built to the same scale. And (as long as I'm dreaming) figures
of all the dinosaurs seen on Skull Island would be nice to have,
too.

I realize that it's very unlikely that we'll ever see any
really
good "King Kong" toys like these, despite the fact that it has been
an amazingly popular film for all movie-goers ever since is was
first released in March 1933. But, these days, it seems like every
popular action movie has lots and lots of toys and merchandise
available, whether the movie deserves the attention or not. And I
continue to see very elaborate, recently-made toys made for such
1960's television shows as "Star Trek" and "Thunderbirds". It
would
be nice if a really good toy company would remember the magic
of "King Kong", as well as its pop culture marketing potential which
has yet to be fully tapped.

Please let me know what you think.

With best wishes for all Fay fans everywhere,
John Weber