Appearance
Konga
Directed by John Lemont and produced by Herman Cohen, Konga (1961) is a classic British-American science fiction horror film that serves as a colorful, low-budget tribute to the giant monster genre. The film stars Michael Gough as the eccentric and increasingly deranged Dr. Charles Decker. After returning from Africa with a growth serum derived from carnivorous plants, Decker experiments on a baby chimpanzee named Konga. The chimp rapidly grows into a massive gorilla-like beast, which the doctor uses to eliminate his academic rivals and romantic obstacles, culminating in a giant-monster rampage through the streets of London.
While often compared to King Kong, the film is celebrated by cult cinema fans for Michael Gough's high-camp performance and its vibrant, "Eastmancolor" 1960s aesthetic.
Locations
Though the film features scenes set in the African jungle, the production was filmed almost entirely in England, primarily utilizing suburban London and the legendary Merton Park Studios.
Merton Park Studios, London
The vast majority of the film’s interiors, including Dr. Decker’s elaborate laboratory and the botanical greenhouse where his carnivorous plants reside, were filmed at Merton Park Studios in South Wimbledon. The studio was a staple for British "B-movies" of the era. Map Location
Croydon, Surrey
The suburban streets and the exterior of Dr. Decker’s house were filmed in the Croydon area. The quiet, respectable English neighborhood provided a stark contrast to the bizarre biological experiments occurring behind the doctor's closed doors. Map Location
Big Ben and Westminster, London
For the film's climax, the production utilized iconic landmarks such as Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. While the giant Konga clutching Dr. Decker was achieved through suit-acting and miniature sets, the background plates and establishing shots were filmed in the heart of Westminster to give the rampage a sense of scale. Map Location
London Zoo, Regent's Park
Some of the animal footage and early scenes involving the chimpanzee were inspired by or filmed near the London Zoo in Regent's Park. The zoo's architecture and animal enclosures helped ground the film's "scientific" premise before the story moved into the realm of the fantastic. Map Location
Richmond Park, London
The "African" jungle sequences at the beginning of the film were cleverly staged in the more overgrown and wooded sections of Richmond Park. With the addition of tropical foliage and clever camera angles, the London park was transformed into a mysterious wilderness. Map Location
Director
John Lemont
Cast
Michael Gough
Margo Johns
Jess Conrad
Claire Gordon
Austin Trevor
IMDB
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