The King of Kong: The Work and Legacy of Willis H. O’Brien
When discussing film, the historical context of the film — and the events of the culture and world surrounding it — must be noted. The life of the filmmakers behind a movie is equally important, as their background and very soul pours into their work. In the case of the pioneer of stop motion, Willis H. O’Brien, the world was between the two most devastating conflicts in human history — the world wars — but there was a great deal of discovery in this time. In an age where the missing pieces in the world map where being filled in, it seemed only more questions rose up with more knowledge. Everything seemed possible, with discoveries ranging from radio to jazz to…fascism.
Howard Carter discovered the tomb of King Tut in 1922, Edward Hubble discovered the universe was much larger than initially thought in 1924, George Mallory disappeared attempting to climb Mt. Everest in 1924, Charles Lindbergh flew across the Atlantic in 1927, with Amelia Earhart following the year after, and many more marvels and mysteries would continue to crop up in the years to follow.
Willis O’Brien expanded on such an age of wonder and awe. He himself was a master of translating his personal passion for the things he found astounding and sharing them with the world, through his creativity and imagination, as seen in his special effects, leaving a…
