It’s arguable, but there are probably few films around with imagery as indelibly iconic and a story as monumentally mythic as the original 1933 King Kong. Sure, Peter Jackson’s remake is just around the corner, and will probably leave a few jaws agape with its Weta digital magic, but imagine the reactions of the audiences who first saw Ernest B. Schoedsack and Merian C. Cooper’s pioneering classic -- they would’ve had their minds blown. Looking at it today, despite its obviously less -- let’s say “technologically and socially advanced” -- aspects, the film is still a furiously paced, rip-snortin’ adventure yarn that’s lost none of its effectiveness to thrill and engage our senses. It’s almost 45 minutes before Kong makes an appearance but when he does, the film roars into gear with one memorable set-piece after another that showcase William H. O’Brien’s ingenious stop motion effects. Fay Wray screaming her lungs out throughout, Carl Denham is full bore ham mode, Kong wrestling a T-Rex and a giant snake, the Empire State ending, the Beauty and the Beast dynamic between Darrow and Kong -- what’s there not to love? Pure movie magic.