Villain(s)  Juvenile giant ape, Styracosaurus, giant bear

Actor(s):  Robert Armstrong, Helen Mack, Frank Reicher, John Marston

Brief Description  The Son of Kong (1933) is an American pre-code adventure monster movie produced by RKO Pictures and directed by Ernest B. Schoedsack. Released on December 22, 1933—just nine months after the massive success of the original King Kong—the film serves as a direct sequel, following the aftermath of Kong's destructive rampage in New York City.

Plot: Fleeing New York:
The story picks up approximately one month after King Kong's tragic fall from the Empire State Building. Showman and filmmaker Carl Denham (Robert Armstrong) is in financial and legal ruin, facing dozens of lawsuits, grand jury indictments, and intense public scrutiny. Desperate to escape arrest, Denham flees New York aboard the Venture, a freighter commanded by his old friend, Captain Englehorn (Frank Reicher). Together with their Chinese cook, Charlie (Victor Wong), they establish a modest, international shipping business in the Dutch East Indies to keep themselves hidden at sea.

The Port of Dakang and a New Map:
While docked at the port of Dakang, Denham and Englehorn attend a meager, local circus show. There, Denham meets Hilda Petersen (Helen Mack), a young woman who performs a musical act with monkeys.Later, Denham encounters Captain Nils Helstrom (John Marston), the shady, down-on-his-luck skipper who originally sold Denham the map to Skull Island. After a drunken argument, Helstrom accidentally burns down the Peterson circus tent, killing Hilda's father. Needing to flee the local authorities, Helstrom manipulates Denham by claiming that a vast, hidden treasure exists on Skull Island. Eager to pay off his massive debts back home, Denham convinces Englehorn to navigate back to the mysterious island. Shortly after departing, they discover Hilda has stowed away in their hold to escape her ruined life.

Return to Skull Island and Kiko:
Upon arriving at Skull Island, the hostile local natives blame Denham for the destruction of their village and refuse to let the crew land. Helstrom takes advantage of the tension, inciting a mutiny among the Venture's disgruntled crew. Denham, Hilda, Englehorn, and Charlie are forced into a small dinghy and cast adrift. Helstrom tries to claim the ship for himself, but the mutineers throw him overboard as well, forcing him to join Denham's group as they land on the dangerous, prehistoric side of the island. While exploring the jungle, Denham and Hilda encounter an albino, 12-to-15-foot juvenile giant ape trapped in a sinking quicksand bog. Feeling immense guilt for the death of the original King Kong, Denham uses a large tree branch to rescue the creature. The young ape—informally named Kiko by the production crew—grows instantly attached to Denham and Hilda. Unlike his aggressive father, Kiko is gentle, highly expressive, and fiercely protective. Throughout their trek, Kiko successfully defends the humans from several prehistoric predators, including a giant bear-like creature, an aggressive Styracosaurus, and a primitive reptile. In return, Denham and Hilda treat a wound on Kiko’s finger, cementing their bond.

The Treasure and The Climax:
Guided by Kiko, Denham and Hilda locate the entrance to a hidden temple cave, where they successfully uncover an ancient, priceless idol made of gold and jewels. Meanwhile, the cowardly Helstrom attempts to steal the group's dinghy to escape alone, but he is intercepted and eaten alive by a giant, long-necked sea monster (Elasmosaurus). Suddenly, a violent earthquake and flash flood strike Skull Island, causing the entire landmass to fracture and violently sink into the ocean. Englehorn, Hilda, and Charlie manage to scramble safely into the small rowboat. Denham, however, becomes trapped on a rapidly submerging peak with the gold treasure. In a final act of devotion, Kiko lifts Denham safely above the rising water. Kiko's foot becomes fatally snagged in the collapsing stone of the island. As the island completely disappears beneath the ocean waves, Kiko holds Denham high above the surface with his single free hand until the rowboat can rescue him. Kiko tragically drowns as the last remnants of Skull Island vanish. Adrift in the open ocean, the four survivors are eventually rescued by a passing passenger ship. Safe and immensely wealthy from the recovered treasure, Denham and Hilda realize they have fallen in love and happily look forward to starting a new life together.