MONSTER MAYHEM! – KONGA

• Directed by John Lemont
• Starring Michael Gough, Margo Johns, Jess Conrad, Claire Gordon
• 1961 | 90mins | UK | Event: 18+

“NOT SINCE ‘KING KONG’ HAS THE SCREEN EXPLODED WITH SUCH MIGHTY FURY AND SPECTACLE!”

A mad scientist develops a growth serum from carnivorous plants that he injects into his pet chimpanzee, turning Konga into a giant ape that goes on the rampage.

KONGA (original working title “I Was A Teenage Gorilla”) is a British KING KONG (1933) clone that takes a very different direction to the OG ape due to expensive licensing issues. Essentially, it’s a tale of toxic masculinity and murder (you will need to boo…) featuring Michael Gough (BATMAN) as a crazed scientist returning home after getting lost in Africa.

Shot in Croydon and directed by John Lemont (THE FRIGHTENED CITY), KONGA was filmed with wonderfully lurid Eastmancolor cinematography by Desmond Dickinson (TROG) but hampered by less than convincing suitmation and a dodgy optical process (“SpectaMation”). The cast brings much to redeem the film, including Gough’s villain, Margo Johns as his spirited assistant, and – to seduce a thirsty teen audience – Jess Conrad and Claire Gordon.

“As a KING KONG rip-off it fails on pretty much every level, but as a crazed murdering mad scientist movie it does have much to offer (mainly unintentional laughs).”  (Mana Pop) 

Whilst not a huge success, KONGA kick-started a franchise of sorts including a novelisation (by Dean Owen) and a series from Charlton Comics that premiered before the film (1960-65). Konga included artwork from comics legend Steve Ditko, co-creator of Spider-Man and creator of Doctor Strange, and sees Konga battle against “dinosaurs, mole men, undersea monsters, creatures from beyond space, and the evilest threat of all ― the human race!”

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!). Tickets from £3.