Striking! Startling! Staggering!

Starring: Terry Moore, Ben Johnson, Robert Armstrong, Frank McHugh, Douglas Fowley, Lora Lee Michel, Denis Green, Regis Toomey, Paul Guilfoyle, Nestor Paiva, James Flavin

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"Oh, my goodness. Isn't he sweet? He's better than a doll. I can play with him. He has to have a name. Joe! I'll call him Joe." - Jill Young as a young girl

Why watch this? It gave audiences another great ape film akin to King Kong.

Plot Summary: A young woman in Africa raises a giant gorilla named Joe, whom she considers her loyal pet. An American nightclub promoter discovers the large animal and convinces the woman to bring Joe to Hollywood to be the star attraction. The gentle gorilla becomes homesick and agitated by the harsh realities of show business, forcing his owner to find a way to get him back home.

Dad's Preview: The creative team who produced King Kong (1933), which included director Merian C. Cooper, effects guru Willis O'Brien, and his young protégé Ray Harryhausen, hatched this nice little film about a tame, and often misunderstood, gorilla called Mighty Joe Young. The special effects are incredible and even won the Special Effect Oscar. The acting leaves a little to be desired, but plays OK for what the film is - a fantasy adventure with lots of eye-popping action. Sure, it's a tad corny and MJY is a little too cute, but hey, this is a great film for kids and the whole family.  

Argosy Pictures; RKO Radio Pictures