King Kong Escapes

King Kong Escapes is a Japanese/American co-production created by Toho and Rankin Bass. Because of this, it featured well known Japanese and American actors. It was directed by Ishiro Honda, who is best known for his entries in the Godzilla series. Another veteran of the Godzilla series was Akira Ifukube, who composed the score for King Kong Escapes. It also featured special effects by Eiji Tsuburaya who's work had already been widely seen in Ultraman.

The plot of King Kong escapes begins with an evil doctor called Dr. Who who has created a mechanical version of King Kong in order to mine for material X in the North Pole. However, due to the high radioactive nature of the minerals, Mechani-Kong's systems are overwhelmed and shut down. When the Mechani-Kong is unable to complete his task, the evil Dr. Who and his sponsor Madame X decide to try and kidnap the real King Kong to complete the task for them. To ensure that Kong will not be tempted to escape, they also kidnap Susan, who Kong had a crush on during the first film. Shortly after being captured, King Kong escapes, leading Dr. Who and Madame X on a grand hunt, at the end of which he must fight his mechanical double for Susan's safety.

King Kong escapes was first released in the US during June of 1968. Critics and movie goers alike were hopelessly divided in their feelings for the film. Those who disliked it criticized its photography and empty plot, while those who enjoyed it called it old fashioned comic fun and an excellent film for a younger audience. King Kong was not only popular in Japan and the US however. It also gained international fame in different countries, though every localization went by a different name.