"Oh no, it wasn't the airplanes. It was beauty killed the beast." It's no surprise that the last line from Kong Kong would wind up on this list. After all, it is an iconic ending from one of the most famous movies of all time. King Kong has finally been brought down, after kidnapping Fay Wray and ascending the Empire State Building. His demise can be fairly considered death by cop, but captor Carl Denham comments that it was really his attraction to the girl that did him in. While this isn't, strictly speaking, medically accurate (we tend to think the airplanes probably played a significant role in his death on their own), it is a rather poetic way of looking at things. And it quite elegantly sums up the psychological aspect of King Kong, which is a huge factor in the film's enduring success. 1930s action films with dated special effects are a dime a dozen, but this one had hidden depths and a surprising amount of heart.
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.
