René Péron (1904-1972)
King Kong
1933, French grande, style B, printed in France by Presses Universitaires de France, Paris
62³⁄₄ x 47¹⁄₄ x in. (159.5 x 120 cm.)
backed on linen, framed

A large original poster for the 1933 French release of cult classic King Kong.

King Kong (1933), directed and produced by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack, is a milestone in cinema history and is recognised by the American Film Institute as the fourth greatest fantasy film of all time. Renowned for its pioneering special effects, the film follows a giant ape named Kong who is discovered on the mysterious Skull Island and brought to New York City, where he eventually escapes and climbs the Empire State Building, leading to a dramatic showdown with biplanes.

Featuring the iconic image of King Kong towering over the New York cityscape, Péron’s artwork effectively conveys the sense of awe and terror that the film inspired in contemporary audiences. Known for his evocative art-deco style, Péron designed numerous memorable posters throughout his career, including for The Passion of Joan of Arc (Gaumont, 1928).