KING KONG

1933, USA

Poster country of origin: West Germany

19” x 27”

On March 18, 1952 (58 years ago today), the mighty KING KONG was rereleased to West German audiences with the snappy new name KING KONG UND DIE WEISSE FRAU—which literally translates into English as KING KONG AND THE WHITE LADY. Originally titled there as DIE FABEL VON KING KONG: UN AMERIKANASCHER TRICK UND SENSATIONSFILM (rough translation: THE FABLE OF KING KONG: AN AMERICAN CON ARTIST AND HIS FILM SENSATION…or something), the monster-movie classic just couldn’t reappear in the space age without some form of modern update, nor could its star get any solitary billing; some American or white lady just had to be squeezed into the title.

The key art changed as well. The original German poster design featured the great beast almost politely strolling through Manhattan, mouth agape, with nary a tank, biplane or white lady in sight. The ’52 reissue version implemented assault by supersonic fighter jet and half-attentive ground forces, and that white lady was added just in case there were any remaining West Germans who would not be sold on the giant, rampaging gorilla alone.

 

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