King Kong was the biggest premiere, in leading man terms at the very least, of the year, spilling across 38 screens on Times Square on 42nd Street, each playing the giant movie simultaneously. New York ground to a relative halt — gridlock is hardly a revelation in this neighbourhood — and there was no doubting the sense of excitement as the 8000 guests took their seats.
Peter Jackson and his cast were joined by such luminaries as George Lucas, Glen Close, Tim Robbins, Liev Schrieber (being the partner of Naomi Watts), Evan Rachel Wood (being the partner of Jamie Bell) and one Donald Trump (being the nearest equivalent the city has to a real King Kong). The film, already buoyed by some great notices, was received with due hollers of appreciation and ready applause. So far, so much attention grabbing spectacle. A life sized, make that movie sized, King Kong was erected in Times Square especially, although the look of misery across the gorilla’s expressive face speaks more of a someone who really would prefer to shun the publicity.
The screening done, guests were shipped by coach to the party held on a West Side pier. Here the guests could sample various contrived delights of a Skull Island section (with waterfall), a burlesque show (with dancing dogs), and, for VIPs and your dedicated reporter who knows who to toady up to in this game, a full ‘30s-style club with ballroom dancers (so you don’t have to) and multi-piece big band. Here the various members of the Venture crew milled about chatting. Andy Serkis was more than happy to greet Empire, before being interrupted by George Lucas (isn’t it always the way) who praised his Kong performance no end. He and Jackson have become friends, each swapping advice with the other on the advancement of special effects.
Thankfully the forecast snowfall desisted and things seem to go off with a fair bang. The news all seems good for Jackson — he’s had a rousing kick-off for his Eight Wonder Of The World, and while not a happy camper at such plump shindigs as these, he looked a relaxed man. “It always feels good to just get the film out there,” he confessed the day before. “It becomes a film at this point.” The rest, he insinuates, is up to you.