King Kong on the Empire State Building: The 1983 Stunt That Shocked New York
In 1983, New Yorkers were stunned to see a massive King Kong figure clinging to the Empire State Building once again. Nearly 50 years after the iconic 1933 film first introduced the image of the giant ape atop the famous skyscraper, a promotional stunt brought Kong back to life in a spectacular—and controversial—fashion.
The Stunt That Took Over Manhattan
On April 6, 1983, a towering inflatable King Kong was installed on the side of the Empire State Building. The massive balloon, standing over 90 feet tall, was designed as a publicity stunt for the 50th anniversary of King Kong. The goal was to recreate one of the most famous scenes in cinema history, where the giant ape battles fighter planes from his perch at the top of the skyscraper.
Organized by MCA/Universal, the event was meant to be a grand spectacle celebrating the legacy of King Kong. The inflatable figure was secured to the south side of the Empire State Building, with large ropes giving the illusion that the giant creature was scaling the structure. Plans included simulated sounds of Kong’s roars and even the recreation of his final moments from the film.
Trouble in the Skies
Despite the excitement surrounding the event, the stunt quickly ran into problems. High winds battered the inflatable Kong, causing it to deflate and sag awkwardly against the building. The once-majestic ape now looked more like a giant, defeated balloon, leading to ridicule from spectators and media outlets.
Efforts to reinflate Kong proved unsuccessful as strong gusts continued to interfere. After just a few days, organizers decided to abandon the attempt, and the massive figure was removed in disappointment.
A Legacy of Promotional Mishaps
The failed 1983 stunt wasn’t the first time King Kong had struggled in real life. A similar attempt in 1976, tied to the release of King Kong starring Jessica Lange, also faced technical difficulties when a 40-foot Kong balloon was used in promotions. That event suffered from poor execution, leading to an underwhelming spectacle.
Despite the mishap, the 1983 stunt remains a memorable part of New York City pop culture history. While the inflatable Kong may not have made the dramatic impact its creators intended, it demonstrated the lasting power of King Kong as a cinematic icon.
King Kong’s Continued Influence
Even though the 1983 event didn’t go as planned, the image of King Kong on the Empire State Building remains one of the most enduring in film history. Over the years, Kong has returned to the spotlight with various remakes and tributes, cementing his place as one of the most beloved movie monsters of all time.
Though the inflatable King Kong of 1983 may have failed to impress, the legend of the giant ape continues to captivate audiences—proving that some icons are simply too big to fall.
