Mighty Joe Young (1949)
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- Approved
- 1h 34min
- Adventure, Drama
- 29 Aug 1949 (Sweden)
- Movie
A young woman who has raised a giant gorilla from an infant brings him to Hollywood years later seeking her fortune.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- Won 1 Oscar. Another 3 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Complete, Cast awaiting verification
| Terry Moore | ... |
Jill Young
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| Ben Johnson | ... |
Gregg
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| Robert Armstrong | ... |
Max O'Hara
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| Mr. Joseph Young | ... |
Self
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| Frank McHugh | ... |
Windy
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| Douglas Fowley | ... |
Jones
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Denis Green | ... |
Crawford
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| Paul Guilfoyle | ... |
Smith
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| Nestor Paiva | ... |
Brown
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| Regis Toomey | ... |
John Young
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| Lora Lee Michel | ... |
Jill Young, as a Girl
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| James Flavin | ... |
Schultz
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Mary Gordon | ... |
Old Woman (unconfirmed)
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| Iris Adrian | ... |
Gloria (uncredited)
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| Bobby Barber | ... |
Diner Patron (uncredited)
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Pat Barton | ... |
Cigarette Girl (uncredited)
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Ian Batchelor | ... |
Strongman (uncredited)
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Sharon Bell | ... |
Girl (uncredited)
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Luella Bickmore | ... |
Nurse (uncredited)
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Lennie Bluett | ... |
Nightclub Dancer (uncredited)
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Eugene Borden | ... |
Costume Designer (uncredited)
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| James Burke | ... |
Producer (uncredited)
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| Primo Carnera | ... |
Strongman (uncredited)
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| Steve Carruthers | ... |
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
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| Kay Christopher | ... |
Nurse (uncredited)
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Cliff Clark | ... |
McManus - Police Guard Moran (uncredited)
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Russ Clark | ... |
Deputy (uncredited)
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| Chester Clute | ... |
Doctor (uncredited)
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| Joyce Compton | ... |
Alice (uncredited)
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| Frank Conroy | ... |
Reporter (uncredited)
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Carol Coombs | ... |
Girl (uncredited)
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| Ellen Corby | ... |
Orphanage Nurse (uncredited)
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| James Craven | ... |
1st Man at Bar (uncredited)
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Tom Daly | ... |
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
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| Jacqueline Dalya | ... |
Nightclub Dancer (uncredited)
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Karl 'Killer' Davis | ... |
Strongman (uncredited)
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| William 'Wee Willie' Davis | ... |
Strongman (uncredited)
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Man Mountain Dean | ... |
Strongman (uncredited)
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| Joe Devlin | ... |
Reporter (uncredited)
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| Eddie Dunn | ... |
1st Bartender (uncredited)
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| Richard Farnsworth | ... |
Cowboy (uncredited)
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Tom Ferrandini | ... |
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
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| Mary Field | ... |
O'Hara's Secretary (uncredited)
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| Fred Fisher | ... |
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
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| Bess Flowers | ... |
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
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| Joel Fluellen | ... |
Tall Native (uncredited)
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Charles Flynn | ... |
Deputy Sheriff (uncredited)
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Charles Fogel | ... |
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
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| Lee Tong Foo | ... |
Chinese Waiter (uncredited)
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| Byron Foulger | ... |
Mr. Jones (uncredited)
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| John Gallaudet | ... |
Reporter (uncredited)
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| Edward Gargan | ... |
Bar Patron (uncredited)
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Jack Gargan | ... |
Waiter (uncredited)
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Rudy Germane | ... |
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
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| Herschel Graham | ... |
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
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| Dorothy Granger | ... |
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
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| Joe Gray | ... |
Waiter (uncredited)
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Marion Gray | ... |
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
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Duke Green | ... |
Deputy (uncredited)
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June Hedin | ... |
Girl (uncredited)
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| Dwayne Hickman | ... |
Boy (uncredited)
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Bryan 'Slim' Hightower | ... |
Cowboy (uncredited)
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| George Hoagland | ... |
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
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Shep Houghton | ... |
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
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| Carol Hughes | ... |
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
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Ray Hyke | ... |
Deputy (uncredited)
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| Selmer Jackson | ... |
Judge (uncredited)
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Jerry Jerome | ... |
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
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Robert Johnson | ... |
Ali (uncredited)
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| Tor Johnson | ... |
The Swedish Angel / Strongman (uncredited)
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| Fred Kennedy | ... |
Cowboy (uncredited)
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| Tom Kennedy | ... |
Cop (uncredited)
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Donald Kerr | ... |
Diner Proprietor (uncredited)
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| Marc Krah | ... |
Desk Sergeant (uncredited)
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Henry Kulky | ... |
Strongman (uncredited)
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| Mike Lally | ... |
Deputy (uncredited)
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| Charles Lane | ... |
Producer (uncredited)
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| Richard Lane | ... |
City Attorney (uncredited)
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| Carey Loftin | ... |
Deputy (uncredited)
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Robert Locke Lorraine | ... |
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
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| Wilbur Mack | ... |
McTavish (uncredited)
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| Rory Mallinson | ... |
3rd Bartender (uncredited)
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Gregory Marshall | ... |
Boy (uncredited)
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Paul Maxey | ... |
Bascomb (uncredited)
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| Kermit Maynard | ... |
Red (uncredited)
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| George McDonald | ... |
Boy (uncredited)
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| Frank McGrath | ... |
Cowboy (uncredited)
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David McKim | ... |
Soda Jerk (uncredited)
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Russell Meeker | ... |
Waiter (uncredited)
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Hal Melone | ... |
Bank Messenger (uncredited)
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Sammy Menacker | ... |
Strongman (uncredited)
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| Harold Miller | ... |
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
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Peggy Miller | ... |
Girl (uncredited)
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| Hans Moebus | ... |
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
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Gloria Moore | ... |
Girl (uncredited)
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Al Murphy | ... |
Reporter (uncredited)
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| Anne Nagel | ... |
Brunette at Bar (uncredited)
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Norman Nesbitt | ... |
Police Announcer (uncredited)
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| William Newell | ... |
Man at Bar (uncredited)
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Anne O'Neal | ... |
Autograph Seeker (uncredited)
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Phil Olafsson | ... |
Swedish Angel (uncredited)
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| Garry Owen | ... |
2nd Bartender (uncredited)
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| Netta Packer | ... |
Autograph Seeker (uncredited)
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| Eddie Parker | ... |
Cop (uncredited)
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Franklin Parker | ... |
Photographer (uncredited)
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| Jack Pennick | ... |
Sam (uncredited)
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| Jack Perry | ... |
Thug (uncredited)
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Pamela Peyton | ... |
Girl (uncredited)
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| Joe Ploski | ... |
Bindlestiff (uncredited)
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Ivan Rasputin | ... |
Strongman (uncredited)
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Allen Ray | ... |
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
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Joey Ray | ... |
Reporter (uncredited)
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| Robin Raymond | ... |
Nightclub Dancer (uncredited)
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Charles Regan | ... |
4th Bartender (uncredited)
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| Addison Richards | ... |
City Attorney (uncredited)
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| Suzanne Ridgway | ... |
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
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Dick Ryan | ... |
Waiter (uncredited)
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| Irene Ryan | ... |
Southern Belle at Bar (uncredited)
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| Frank J. Scannell | ... |
Pierson (uncredited)
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| William Schallert | ... |
Gas Station Attendant (uncredited)
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| Charles Sherlock | ... |
Cop (uncredited)
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Milton Shockley | ... |
Native (uncredited)
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Edward C. Short | ... |
Ahmed (uncredited)
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| Carl Sklover | ... |
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
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| Tom Steele | ... |
Cop (uncredited)
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| Sammy Stein | ... |
Strongman (uncredited)
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| Norman Stevans | ... |
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
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Clarence Straight | ... |
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
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| Harry Strang | ... |
Cop with Tramp (uncredited)
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| Madame Sul-Te-Wan | ... |
Kifa (uncredited)
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Robert Tafur | ... |
Headwaiter (uncredited)
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| Archie Twitchell | ... |
Reporter (uncredited)
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| Dale Van Sickel | ... |
Undetermined Role (uncredited)
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Juan Varro | ... |
Gigolo (uncredited)
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| Max Wagner | ... |
Thug (uncredited)
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| Ray Walker | ... |
Reporter (uncredited)
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Bill Wallace | ... |
Player (uncredited)
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| Luana Walters | ... |
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
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| Billy Wayne | ... |
Stage Manager (uncredited)
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Jane Weeks | ... |
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
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Max Willenz | ... |
Sketch Artist (uncredited)
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| Norman Willis | ... |
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
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| Bud Wolfe | ... |
Deputy (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Ernest B. Schoedsack | ||
Written by
| Ruth Rose | ... | (screenplay) |
| Merian C. Cooper | ... | (from an original story by) |
Produced by
| Merian C. Cooper | ... | producer (uncredited) |
| John Ford | ... | executive producer (uncredited) |
Music by
| Roy Webb | ... | (musical score) |
Cinematography by
| J. Roy Hunt | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Ted Cheesman | ||
Art Direction by
| James Basevi | ||
Costume Design by
| Adele Balkan | ... | (costumes) |
Makeup Department
| Mel Berns | ... | makeup artist (uncredited) |
Production Management
| Lloyd Richards | ... | unit production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Sam Ruman | ... | assistant director (as Samuel Ruman) |
| John Ford | ... | second unit director (uncredited) |
| David Sharpe | ... | second unit director (uncredited) |
Art Department
| James Altwies | ... | set dresser (as George Altwils) |
| Howard Richmond | ... | assistant art director |
Sound Department
| John L. Cass | ... | sound |
| Walter Elliott | ... | sound editor |
| Clem Portman | ... | sound |
Special Effects by
| Marcel Delgado | ... | technical staff |
| Fitch Fulton | ... | technical staff |
| Ray Harryhausen | ... | first technician |
| George Lofgren | ... | technical staff |
| Willis H. O'Brien | ... | technical creator (as Willis O'Brien) |
| Pete Peterson | ... | second technician (as Peter Peterson) |
Visual Effects by
| Linwood G. Dunn | ... | optical photography (as Linwood Dunn) |
| Harold E. Stine | ... | photographic effects (as Harold Stine) |
| Bert Willis | ... | photographic effects |
| Harry Cunningham | ... | model armature construction (uncredited) |
| Ray Harryhausen | ... | technician (uncredited) |
| Louis Lichtenfield | ... | matte painter (uncredited) |
| Jack Shaw | ... | matte artist (uncredited) |
Stunts
| Rod Amateau | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Richard Farnsworth | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Joe Gray | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Fred Kennedy | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Carey Loftin | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Ted Mapes | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Kermit Maynard | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Eddie Parker | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| David Sharpe | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Paul Stader | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Tom Steele | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Dale Van Sickel | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Bud Wolfe | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Louie Anderson | ... | grip (uncredited) |
| Emmett Bergholz | ... | camera operator (uncredited) |
Music Department
| C. Bakaleinikoff | ... | musical director |
| Gil Grau | ... | orchestrator (uncredited) |
Additional Crew
| Merian C. Cooper | ... | presenter |
| John Ford | ... | presenter |
| Jack Lannan | ... | production effects (as Jack Lannon) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- RKO Radio Pictures (1949) (United States) (theatrical) (as RKO Radio Pictures Inc.)
- RKO Distributing Corporation of Canada (1949) (Canada) (theatrical) (as RKO Distributing Corporation of Canada, Ltd.)
- RKO Radio Pictures (1949) (United Kingdom) (theatrical) (as RKO Radio Pictures, Ltd.)
- RKO Pictures (Australasia) (1949) (Australia) (theatrical)
- RKO Radio Films (1949) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- RKO Radio Pictures (1949) (Norway) (theatrical)
- RKO Radio Films (1950) (Finland) (theatrical)
- RKO Radio Pictures de México (1950) (Mexico) (theatrical)
- RKO Radio Pictures Argentina (1952) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Films Fortuna (1955) (Spain) (theatrical)
- C&C Television Corporation (1955) (United States) (tv)
- RKO Radio Pictures (1957) (United States) (theatrical) (re-release) (as RKO Radio Pictures Inc.)
- United Artists Television (1960) (United States) (tv) (for C&C)
- Discentro Films (1969) (Spain) (theatrical) (re-release)
- United Artists Television (1971) (United States) (tv) (for MBI)
- MGM/UA Entertainment Company (1982) (United States) (tv) (for MBI)
- RKO Home Video (1985) (United States) (VHS)
- Image Entertainment (1986) (United States) (video) (laserdisc)
- Turner Entertainment (1986) (United States) (tv) (for RKO)
- Turner Entertainment (1987) (United States)
- Turner Home Entertainment (1989) (United States) (VHS)
- Turner Home Entertainment (1990) (United States) (video) (LaserDisc)
- Warner Home Video (2005) (United States) (DVD)
- Warner Home Video (2006) (United States) (DVD)
- Yleisradio (YLE) (2007) (Finland) (tv)
- Odeon Entertainment (2009) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- StudioCanal (2012) (Germany) (DVD)
- BBC Two (2016) (United Kingdom) (tv)
- Filmjuwelen (2022) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- Filmjuwelen (2022) (Germany) (DVD)
- Ceskoslovenský Státní Film (1955) (Czechoslovakia) (theatrical)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- RCA Sound System (sound recording system)
- International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) (this picture made under the jurisdiction of)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
In Africa, Jill Young trades a baby gorilla with two natives and raises the animal. Twelve years later, talkative and persuasive promoter Max O'Hara organizes a safari to Africa with Oklahoma cowboy Gregg to bring attractions to his new Hollywood nightclub. They capture several lions, and out of the blue they see a huge gorilla near their campsite and try to capture it. However, teenage Jill Young stops the men who intended to kill her gorilla. Max seduces Jill with a fancy life in Hollywood and she signs a contract with him in which the gorilla Joseph "Joe" Young would be the lead attraction. Soon she realizes that her dream is a nightmare to Joe and she asks Max to return to Africa, but he persuades her to stay in show business a little longer. But when three alcoholic costumers give booze to Joe, the gorilla destroys the spot and is sentenced by the justice to be sacrificed. Will Jill, Gregg, and Max succeed in saving Joe? Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Ten Terrific Thrills ! See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $1,800,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Second-unit director David Sharpe recalled an incident that happened on the nightclub set: "We were shooting some action stuff . . . which featured lions, tigers, elephants, and apes in cages around the table area. We had trained lions to run from one side of the set to the other. One of them broke loose, jumped onto the top of his cage and grabbed the trainer by the throat. I was in the camera cage. I pushed the iron door open, raced across the set and punched the lion in the face. I guess I shocked him so badly he let go, turned tail and ran into his cage." See more » |
| Goofs | Joe's size varies immensely throughout film. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Edited into Not with My Wife, You Don't! (1966). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Beautiful Dreamer See more » |
| Crazy Credits | Opening credits cast list: "AND Mr. Joseph Young As Himself" See more » |
| Quotes |
Windy:
Who do you think's gonna get the worst of this - Maxie, or Africa? See more » |