FILM/SNEAK PEEK : MONKEY BUSINESS AS USUAL?Byline: - Bob McCarthy The sight of Fay Wray Vina Fay Wray (September 15, 1907 – August 8, 2004) was a Canadian–American actress. Early life Wray was born on a ranch near Cardston, Alberta, Canada to Elvina Marguerite Jones, who was from Salt Lake City, Utah, and Joseph Heber Wray, who was from Kingston being carried like a doll by King Kong King Kong giant ape brought to New York as “eighth wonder of world.” [Am. Cinema: Payton, 367] See : Giantism is one of those screen moments that doesn't go away, regardless of whether you saw ``King Kong'' in the 1930s in the movie house or in the age of television. That performance guaranteed her status as a cinematic cult figure cult figure n → idole f cult figure cult n → Kultfigur f cult figure n → idolo and, later, as movie trivia. But it bears mentioning that she was a bona fide [Latin, In good faith.] Honest; genuine; actual; authentic; acting without the intention of defrauding. A bona fide purchaser is one who purchases property for a valuable consideration that is inducement for entering into a contract and without suspicion of being starlet star·let n. 1. A small star. 2. A young film actress publicized as a future star. starlet Noun a young actress who has the potential to become a star Noun 1. before Kong ever wrapped his big, sweaty mitts around her. Wray and her gargantuan gar·gan·tu·an adj. Of immense size, volume, or capacity; gigantic. See Synonyms at enormous. gargantuan Adjective huge or enormous [after Gargantua, a giant in Rabelais' co-star again share the marquee as the Academy Standards series presents ``Battle of the Apes'' on Aug. 14, a double screening of the original ``King Kong'' and ``Mighty Joe Young.'' The 1933 ``Kong'' stands as the all-time king of big-ape flicks, and not even the technical wizardry wiz·ard·ry n. pl. wiz·ard·ries 1. The art, skill, or practice of a wizard; sorcery. 2. a. A power or effect that appears magical by its capacity to transform: of the 1976 remake with Jeff Bridges and Jessica Lange could knock this one off its perch. In fact, the original ``Kong'' was just one of 11 films in which Wray appeared in 1933. Some of her other films included the campy ``The Vampire Bat,'' ``The Mystery of the Wax Museum'' and ``The Big Brain''; and the more serious ``Ann Carver's Profession,'' ``One Sunday Afternoon'' and ``The Woman I Stole.'' Wray was raised in Los Angeles and got into the movie business as a teen-ager by hounding casting offices for small roles. Her breakthrough came playing the female lead in the 1928 film ``The Wedding March,'' and she went on to co-star opposite leading men such as Gary Cooper, Ronald Colman and Fredric March. After ``King Kong,'' Wray became the darling of low-budget action pictures, and later quite effectively employed that frightening scream from ``Kong'' in some horror features. ``Mighty Joe Young'' revised the ``King Kong'' classic image, with special effects that took home an Oscar in 1949. It's been almost 50 years since this big guy stomped across theater screens, which probably would explain why a remake is in the works at Disney. Tickets cost $5 for general admission, $3 for academy members. First screening is at 7:30 p.m. in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Goldwyn Theatre, 8949 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. Tickets may be purchased at the academy from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, by mail or at the door. Call (310) 247-3600 for information. `Terminator' tribute Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Mr. Universe who turned his chiseled chis·eled or chis·elled adj. Made or shaped with or as if with a chisel: a finely chiseled nose. Adj. 1. physique into box-office brawn brawn n. 1. Solid and well-developed muscles, especially of the arms and legs. 2. Muscular strength and power. 3. Chiefly British The meat of a boar. 4. Headcheese. , is bigger than a movie star. This Last Action Hero, Kennedy in-law, cigar aficionado and all-around nice guy is a genuine XXL XXL Extra Extra Large XXL Extra Extra Long cultural icon. As proof, we offer three simple words: ``I'll be back.'' Need we say more? American Cinematheque will honor Schwarzenegger for his career and his overall contribution to film and video on Sept. 12 at the Moving Picture Ball at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The annual event is the Cinematheque's largest benefit. Schwarzenegger's stature as an entertainer has grown since he flexed his pecs and flashed his smile in the 1977 documentary ``Pumping Iron,'' in which audiences met not one but two future action stars (``The Incredible Hulk's'' Lou Ferrigno being the other) in competition for the title of Mr. Olympia. Schwarzenegger's first feature-acting role came in ``Stay Hungry,'' for which he received a Golden Globe Award for best newcomer. Since then, he's piled up the credits in ``Predator,'' ``Total Recall,'' ``True Lies,'' ``Conan the Barbarian'' and ``The Terminator'' (pumped up by James Cameron's writing and direction). Schwarzenegger also has tried his hand at comedy, doing the heavy lifting in ``Jingle All the Way,'' ``Twins'' and ``Kindergarten Cop.'' Previous recipients of the American Cinematheque Award The American Cinematheque Award annually honors "an extraordinary artist in the entertainment industry who is fully engaged in his or her work and is committed to making a significant contribution to the art of the motion pictures". include Eddie Murphy, Bette Midler, Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard, Martin Scorsese, Sean Connery, Tom Cruise and John Travolta. Tickets to the black-tie dinner and awards show are available by calling Kidd & Company at (310) 559-9334. Wrong number The correct phone number for information on the Festival of Preservation at UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX is (310) 206-3456. (It was listed incorrectly in this column last week). This impressive exhibition of restored film and television productions is presented through August. CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: In the original ``King Kong,'' Fay Wray's performance guaranteed her status as a cinematic cult figure and, later, as movie trivia. |
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