MONSTER MAYHEM! – KING KONG LIVES (1986)

• Director John Guillermin
• Cast Brian Kerwin, Linda Hamilton, Peter Elliott, George Antoni
• 1986 | Film: 105mins | USA | Event: 20:30 – 23:00 [18+]

“AMERICA’S BIGGEST HERO IS BACK… AND HE IS NOT HAPPY.”

Kong survives his fall from the World Trade Centre, but his heart is failing, so scientists give him an artificial one. After surgery, Kong urgently needs a transfusion… But where will they find a suitable supply of blood?

Starring Linda Hamilton (THE TERMINATOR) and Brian Kerwin (TORCH SONG TRILOGY), John Guillermin’s KING KONG LIVES (1986) starts with Kong falling from the World Trade Centre at the end of the KING KONG remake (1976). This much-delayed but “idiotically entertaining” (John Wilson) sequel then wastes no time ripping into the big ape action.

The 1976 original featured in our last Bar Trash season as “The Biggest Ripoff in Hollywood History” having promised audiences a full-sized Kong robot built by Carlo Rambaldi (E.T.). What we got was Rick Baker (OCTAMAN) in a monkey suit. Rambaldi worked on his own for the sequel, abandoning his problematic robot to build multiple Kong costumes…

Token Homo’s view: “KING KONG LIVES deserves this rare moment in the limelight. From the scenes of Kong undergoing heart transplant surgery (…!) to the havoc that ensues after the big ape’s family is abducted by the military, they really don’t make them like this any more…“

BAR TRASH is a celebration of cult and curious cinema, hosted by Token Homo. All films screen with introductions, intermissions, prize giveaways, themed drinks and subtitles/captions (where possible!). We aim to end the show by 11pm (timings can vary!). Tickets £3.