Kong Tyrannosaurus

[Danvarner@aol.com]

             Sorry folks, Old Business. Mr. Pickering wrote (9/12/02):

<< Marcel Delgado gave me aphotograph of the theropod puppet atop a table 
coveredwith a sheet of butcher paper (I have the subsequentphotograph of the 
next frame in the film roll), tryingto bite the back of the styracosaur. In 
bothphotographs, the teeth are barely visible vs. thestartlingly protruding 
teeth of every tyrannosaurskull known (cf. Greg Paul's Scientific American 
book,page 270). >>

       I've seen one of these photographs, have a copy around here somewhere. 
More important here, though, is examination of the actual film. Delgado's 
model, based loosely on Knight's c.1905 AMNH restoration, has a full ( but 
not necessarily accurate) complement of teeth. I invite anyone with video 
equipment to look at the initial scene of the Tyrannosaurus model entering 
the glade or the later scene when the tree containing Fay Wray is toppled by 
the battling behemoths. If you can go through them frame-by-frame, you will 
be rewarded with ample rex dental apparatus. I believe that Mr. Pickering is 
being confused by the fact that the Kong Tyrannosaurus model was equipped 
with Bakkerian "lips" rigged by Delgado in order for the beast to snarl ( a 
favorite idiosyncrasy of Willis O'Brien ). The model also shows a remarkably 
GSP orientation of the pubis and rib-cage. At any rate, if one goes through 
the immortal sequence frame by frame, you are rewarded with not only 
tyrannosaur teeth but also braces and views of holes in the soles of feet 
used for tie-downs to hold the models steady. Remarkable frames are also 
observable that would be missed at normal film speed. It was wonderful 
artwork by all concerned. 
       Also it should be noted here that Fay Wray celebrated her 95th 
birthday last week. "Malem ma pakeno!" DV