KING KONG---No Laughing Matter

Who or what is KONG? To date no one has come even close to recapturing his
dichotomy. Sixtyseven years after the King's appearance, attempts to
reproduce him have spawned only farcical overgrown apes. The popular
misconception of KONG consists in believing him to be merely a biiiig
anthropoid ("Oooooh, look children, (giggle), there's King Kong!") Inanely,
the mention of his name elicits deprecating laughter in most. But his
representation as a giant gorilla was merely a showmanship way of presenting
his real meaning to the masses (whether his creators were aware of it or
not). At a sub or even unconcious level the public realized this and was
duly electrified and awestricken. Then, later, laughed it off because they
were not up to confronting KONG's true essence. Perhaps it was too
disturbing, especially in the depression years when he was born. So, what is
the true meaning of KONG?

Simple...

He is we. As individuals. He epitomizes the angst, innate loneliness and
frustration we are all heirs to. He is the embodiment of the defiant, most
often pathetic resistance and tragically heroic struggle of MANKIND against
all odds. Therefore the classic Gustave Doré-like backdrops. Therefore the
stirring Max Steiner opus. Not a cheerful message but therein lies KONG's
greatness. That, mesdames et messieurs, (and kiddies), if you really want to
know, is KONG. And if you choose to continue laughing let it be the laughter
of Pagliacci.

José G. Gómez