"Konga" (1961) - So Bad, its Good
What do you get when you mix King Kong and Dr. Jekyll and Mister Hyde? You get “Konga!” Something so bad, it’s good. What were they thinking when making “Konga” back in 1961? Was it supposed to be Sci-Fi, or Tragedy? Probably both – but, to me, it has morphed into a Comedy as well over time.
Thapson
I think they were very serious when making “Konga,” but it hasn’t aged well at all. But, despite the aging, it’s still fun to watch. There are movies out there which age so badly that they’re just plain sad. This one’s close, but survives. It transitions from a serious sci-fi into a comedy zone. And by the time it ends, it’s a tragedy.
“The more seriously it takes itself with those lofty dialogues spoken in an impeccable British accent, the more laughable it gets”
Synopsis
Back from The Dead
A plane carrying famous biologist, Dr. Charles Decker, crashes in Africa. Presumed killed, he surprises everyone when he returns “from the dead” a year later. He has fantastic stories of surviving the crash and his rescue by a tribe in Uganda. While under their care, he observed life from a new angle and developed a fascination with the relationship between plants and animals. Charles has some theories he plans to work on, and reveal in due time. He’s brought with him plant samples, and a baby chimpanzee who he’s very possessive of.
Once home, and his laboratory, Charles’ singular obsession to begin his work disturbs his assistant, Margaret. Apparently, she’s more than an assistant. Dr. Decker wants to create a tropical environment in his lab to grow carnivorous plants. He convinces Margaret to help him with his endeavour.
The Fun Begins
The carnivorous plants, resembling “Venus flytraps,” grow rapidly. Dr. Decker, with his interesting hair style, extracts fluid from these plants. What does he do with this? Like any curious scientist, he injects the fluid into the baby chimp. Voila! The chimp, Konga, grows rapidly in front of our very eyes. We can already see where this is going – somewhere not good.
Dr. Decker returns to teaching at the University. I couldn’t hold my laughter as he explains his experiences in Uganda with tribes people who don’t resemble the Baganda, or any East African tribe for that matter. More of that later. We get to see the cheeky side of the professor as he shows special interest in one of his female students, Sandra Banks. Wait a minute, isn’t he supposed to be close to Margaret? This doesn’t look good.
Dr. Decker’s New Assistant
Dr. Decker is in trouble with the dean who’s not happy with his theories linking plant life and human evolution. After all, isn’t that what detractors of people who want to question established norms do? Dean Foster feels that Decker’s time in the jungle has messed him up with these beliefs. He doesn’t want the name of the University connected with Charles’ theories, and threatens to suspend Dr. Decker. Wrong move. Nothing’s going to detract Decker. He goes home in a rage and pumps Konga with more plant fluid. And, would you know it, the chimp turns into a …… gorilla! Now that’s really bending science. This gorilla Konga, had me in stitches. His eyes are far too human. Wait a minute! They are human! It’s clear there’s an actor under the suit. Thus, we have Dr. Decker’s new assistant.
The Killings Begin
Dr. Decker shines a penlight into Konga’s eyes and “hypnotizes” him into following his commands. He unleashes Konga’s power on dean Foster. The police get on the case. For Decker, things couldn’t be better as he’s drunk on his new found power. Margaret knows what’s going on, but she’s emotionally attached to dissuade him.
The next victim is a rival scientist, named “Tagore,” who brags being ahead of Decker. Okay, Konga, you know what to do. Mission accomplished, but the trail is starting to develop for the police. Meanwhile, Decker’s obsession for Sandra keeps growing. Her boyfriend’s not happy and warns him, with some rough play, to stay away from her. Konga’s sent in to do the bidding: murder number three. Decker’s now in full pursuit of Sandra, and Margaret’s had enough.
The Final Showdown
Despite Sandra’s protestations, Decker won’t have anything short of her to replace Margaret. Margaret takes things into her own hands. She pumps Konga to the max with plant fluid. As they say, “hell hath no fury as a woman scorned.” Margaret, in her anger, pumps way too much fluid into Konga and attempts to command him to do her bidding. Konga isn’t a gorilla any more. He’s now a “King Kong!!” He’s way beyond anyone’s control. The extra-large Konga shoots up and beyond the roof à la King Kong, and “goes to town” (literally) with his rampaging fury.
I’m going to stop right there. I don’t want to spoil it further for you. When the movie ends, it transitions, once again, from a comedy to tragedy, and concludes with a tragically iconic image.
Main Cast
Michael Gough as Dr. Charles Decker
Look familiar? He played the role of Bruce Wayne’s butler, Fred Pennyworth, in the Batman movies of ’89, ’92, ’95, and ’97. Unfortunately passed away in 2011.
Margo Johns as Margaret
The late Margo Johns was most known for a wide range of TV roles.
Claire Gordon as Sandra Banks
She was famous for playing mostly glamorous, eye candy roles in her acting career. Claire Gordon passed away in 2015.
Austin Trevor as Dean Foster
A well-respected veteran actor, the late Austin Trevor has a long repertoire of movies in the 30s and a wide range of TV roles over the 60s.
My Take
So bad, it’s Good
“Konga” was clearly made as a “B” movie fare for pure fantasy escapist entertainment. But to me it comes off as way cornier than just that. Even among other “B” grade movies of the time, this feels like it was dead on arrival. For the sake of respectability, I’ll say it’s aged very badly. So, it turns into a movie that’s so bad that it’s good. I felt the urge to turn it off as soon as it started. But then I started looking at it in a different light. Almost as a parody of itself, and I couldn’t stop laughing. Much like a “Mystery Science Theater 3000” production, it turned into an entertainment-fest unto itself. The story is so predictable, you just continue to join the dots for the fun of it.
Interesting Insight into the Culture of the Era
There is an intrigue of watching the cultural norms of the Britain of that era. I’ll say even for a movie of 1961, it feels older. The dialogues are so cliched, you find yourself saying them before they’re spoken.
The ignorance of “native” African culture has a politically incorrect undertone. Then you throw in an obviously Indian looking guy named “Tagore.” How stereotypical is that? Especially laughable as he’s got the obligatory tight turban, hooked nose, and speaks with the Queen’s English. Come on now, they could have done better. After all it was 1961 and not 1941.
YouTube / Film365
Conclusion
If you take the movie too seriously, you’ll be in for a disappointment. You need a big helping of a sense of humor to enjoy it.
You can’t miss Dr. Decker’s hair style, dyed over his ears. Definitely done to give him more of that obsessed crazy scientist persona. If it was not already funny enough, check out the final scenes with all the destruction unleashed by Konga. A forgettable movie, but one that should not be – just to study how not to make a “B” grade film that dates as soon as it’s released.
I’ll return with another movie review soon. Feel free to comment using the link below.
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