King Kong (Universal, 1976), Illustrated Plan/Prospectus Binder for Universal Studio Theme Park Tram Ride Attraction....

Description

King Kong (Universal, 1976), Illustrated Plan/Prospectus Binder for Universal Studio Theme Park Tram Ride Attraction. Vintage original illustrated "Prospectus" binder as the project-pitch to Universal Studios Hollywood Theme Park, for potential King Kong monumental-scale animatronic tram ride attraction, dated one year prior to start of construction. First roaring into life in front of a terrified public on June 14th 1986, the King Kong attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood, based on Dino De Laurentiis' 1976 remake of the 1933 classic original, started a new era of theme park design. The 7-ton, 30-foot-tall Kong figure was the largest and most complex animatronic of its time. Its advanced design set a new standard for themed attractions and helped pave the way for today's most sophisticated immersive entertainment experiences. After seeing the delights of New York Street, our guide announces they've built "an entire city block INSIDE a sound stage" and that we should really get our cameras out as there's a "big star" inside... The tram heads into a soundstage behind a massive pair of doors. Inside, a stunning recreation of a New York suburb has been prepared for filming, and the tram heads across a large bridge. Suddenly, a TV flickers into life in one of the windows we're passing: "It's a News Report!", the anchorman announces, "There's an enraged beast loose on the streets of New York". We now see beautiful telecopter reporter Kelly King who's right in the middle of the action above the wreckage of a crashed L-train. She sees a tramload of people down on a bridge in danger. That's US!! We hear the helicopter, and Kelly's voice now cuts through the noise over the helicopter sound system, warning us to get out! Suddenly, the news report cuts out, and the stricken helicopter falls out of the sky right next to the tram, smashing into some power cables on the way and bursting into flames. The tram driver decides to get us out of the danger. Wait - there's something blocking the bridge ahead, and there's a Police chopper shooting at it! As we round the corner, we can see Kong! He's got hold of the bridge that we have to cross to escape! The tram driver tries to pass Kong but the beast shakes the bridge and roars at us! The terrified tour guests can't do anything except smell the banana breath and hold on for dear life until the tram safely exits the sound stage. Tragically, a massive backlot fire on June 1, 2008 destroyed the King Kong attraction just short of the attraction's 22nd birthday. After initial fears Kong would be gone for good, director Peter Jackson got on board, and a worthy replacement for the big animatronic ape can now be found on the Studio Tour - King Kong 360 3-D.
Presented here, as a remarkable first-time offer from Heritage (or to our knowledge, from any other established entertainment auction venue) is the ledger-sized (17.5" x 11", landscape layout) densely illustrated proposal/plan/prospectus binder for the construction of the first-ever King Kong entertainment theme park attraction. Opening with a 6-page "Scenario" illustrated by individual tipped-on color "screenshot" storyboards, followed by 22-pages of xeroxed line-drawings in cartoon form of the ride's action, and then, most impressive of all, 26-pages of actual blueline blueprints detailing every motion aspect of the incredible and unprecedented 30-foot tall animatronic "Kong" figure. Each is credited to "Animatronic Show Productions" of Sylmar, Ca., and dated 7/1/1983. Another (25+) pages are devoted to xeroxed designs and elevations, crew credits, title pages, etc. The principal creators responsible for this extraordinary production include Peter Alexander, Larry Lester, Bob Gurr, Tom Reidenbach, Dave Schwenniger, and Henry Bumstead. Also included inside front cover is the original theatrical-type 15.75" x 9" illustrated herald, a tribute to classic vintage motion-picture promotion of yesteryear. Exhibits minor age-toning typical of this medium, plus minor scuffing and handling presumed from original examination and distribution, though otherwise surprisingly well-preserved for an object of such ephemeral construction. Comes with a COA from Heritage Auctions.

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