An Empire Striking Back?

As I have been thinking about these two kings this holiday weekend, I thought to share my musings with readers on this site. The two kings I have in mind are 1) King Kong, the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” and 2) King Jesus. Here are a few small bites I chewed on for a while:

King Kong, in the old movie, was killed high up on what looks like a giant stake. That “stake” was the Empire State Building (King Kong, 1933 film, music by Max Steiner).

King Jesus, was likewise killed on a “stake,” or cross (year 33). Incidentally, the biblical Greek word “stauros”, according to Greek-English lexicons, can mean either cross or stake. I will not be arguing that point in this write up.

But all this makes for a fascinating mental juxtaposition and interpretation of the original 1933 movie, King Kong!

Finally, another brain baker:

King Kong was born on the fictitious Skull Island, and dies (was executed) at the top of the Empire State Building during the last five minutes of the film. Notice also that the word “Empire” also links with rulership, an emperor being essentially a king of kings. (Alluding to my otherwise dishonest clickbait title; but it got you to read this much, so …!)

Jesus was executed on Golgotha, which means skull. That place is also called Calvary, a word that comes from the Latin word calva, which can also mean skull. Golgotha, or Calvary, is an actual skull-shaped hill in ancient Jerusalem, where Jesus was executed for saying he was a king. Essentially, a “king of kings.”

In the early days of Hollywood film-making, therefore, Kong was, in a subtle way made into an allegory of Jesus. And both Kong and Jesus were promoted as “kings.”

Symbolic Numbers

The numbers and other symbolisms are also of interest: For example the years 33 and 1933. The number thirty-three is called a “master number” in numerology, it represents pure love, and is also the number of the highest degree – the 33rd degree – in masonic lodge (free masonry) beliefs. Jesus evidently died in the year 33, and the film King Kong was released in the year 1933.

Disclaimer: I am not now and have never been a member of a masonic lodge.

Three (!) of my varied interests include filmmaking, film music, and psychology, so I simply thought it interesting when I noticed, while coincidentally watching a DVD of the old black and white King Kong film a couple of weeks ago, and made the mental connections between SKULL Island, SKULL Place, King Kong and King Jesus.

Side chiller: The secret student group at Yale University known as "Skull and Bones" is called The Brotherhood of Death, and The Order 322.

Now, all the bunnies and egg-painters can enjoy their holiday weekend with a little more historical knowledge. #KingKong #Easter

Flickr Images, in order of appearance – commercial use allowed

Empire State Building Day and Night, by John Cunniff: https://flic.kr/p/yY2zGy

Empire State Building à la Sironi, by Strolicfurlan: https://flic.kr/p/23vgbpW

Golgotha, by upyernoz: https://flic.kr/p/5iceDd

Kong at top of Building, by iznogoodgood: https://flic.kr/p/ezVyeG