Time's right to put 1933 'Kong' on DVD

There are still many classic films that have yet to make it to DVD, but right at the top of the list is the original 1933 "King Kong."

It's way past due, and what a great opportunity for bonus features: Willis O'Brien, who did "Kong's" special effects, was mentor to Ray Harryhausen, who is still alive and kicking, and who could add great insight into the film's creation. "Kong" has a storied history that deserves to be explored, including battles with censors over content, audience reaction in 1933, etc. The sequel, "Son of Kong," and the film that won O'Brien his Oscar, "Mighty Joe Young" (1949), could also be part of the package; neither has ever been on DVD.

And why not? After all, the 1976 remake of "King Kong," with Jeff Bridges and Jessica Lange, is on DVD, as is "King Kong vs. Godzilla." Even the 1986 sequel to the remake — "King Kong Lives!" with Linda Hamilton — is slated for DVD release on Sept. 7.

Heck, even the Charlize Theron remake of "Mighty Joe Young" (1998) is on DVD.

All of this came to mind with the death this week of Fay Wray, whose long acting career — she was in some 90 movies from 1923-1958 — was consistently overshadowed by her scream-queen role in the ultimate beauty-and-the-beast story. (Among her other films are "The Most Dangerous Game," "The Mystery of the Wax Museum," "Queen Bee" with Joan Crawford, and "Tammy and the Bachelor" with Debbie Reynolds.)

But Wray always took it in stride; with "King Kong," she was part of one of the all-time great monster movies. Maybe the all-time great monster movie!

Oh, well. Perhaps the studio is waiting for the release next year of the latest "King Kong" remake by Peter Jackson (the Oscar-winning director of the "Lord of the Rings" movies).

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My friend and fellow movie buff Hunter Hale sent an e-mail this week, reporting that when he went to Media Play to pick up "The Best of Abbott & Costello, Volume 3," he was told by the clerk: "Every time Chris Hicks runs a review on the Abbott & Costello films, they sell out."

I'm flattered, of course, that he thinks I have that kind of reach. But what this really speaks to is the audience that still exists for reasonably priced golden oldies. And plenty of Abbott & Costello fans are still around.

Actually, a lot of good older movies are released on DVD these days, but because they get no advertising support, the audience that would buy them doesn't know they've come out.