Mighty Joe Young

MOVIE #1,511 • 🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿 • 04.03.24 Created by most of the same team that made King Kong sixteen years earlier, Mighty Joe Young is more or less a rehash of the giant formula. Though it proved far less successful and memorable, it definitely has its moments. In some ways, the smoother, more advanced stop-motion doesn't look quite as good. I'm not sure exactly why I feel this way. The story is also much more obviously geared towards children (and at least 25% less racist!). Although, this lovely crane shot over a jungle-themed nightclub might make it seem otherwise…

It takes almost forty minutes to get going, but when it does, it really delivers…


There are other elements which date it to the first half to the 20th century. Take this cowboy guy logic… The cowboy guy: “her contract isn't valid because she's underage!” Also cowboy guy: “let's make out and move in together on your African farm.” We also see the first iteration of the ‘drunk giant ape’ trope, which would be employed in various sequels over the years, as three lunatics spur Joe’s release by getting him loaded.

The action-packed ending is more concerned with the escape of Joe and not necessarily his smashing/killing powers. He does get to spit at cops during the chase though…


In the end, there's a fire at an orphanage for some reason and they utilize a lovely red filter and amazing miniature work…


Mighty Joe risks his life saving the last kid…


I love the little puppet human. The happy ending is a nice alternative to Kong. And I would go as far as to say that this is probably slightly underrated given how fun a lot of the action is.

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Mighty Joe Young (also known as Mr. Joseph Young of Africa and The Great Joe Young) is a 1949 American black and white fantasy film distributed by RKO Radio Pictures and produced by the same creative team responsible for King Kong (1933). The film was produced by Merian C. Cooper, directed by Ernest B. Schoedsack, and Ruth Rose wrote the screenplay. It stars Robert Armstrong (who appears in both films), Terry Moore, and Ben Johnson in his first credited screen role. Animation effects were handled by Ray Harryhausen, Pete Peterson and Marcel Delgado. It was released on July 27, 1949.