Morton, Ray 1961-

PERSONAL:

Born 1961, in West Islip, NY. Education: New York University Tisch School of the Arts, B.F.A.; Pepperdine University, M.A.

ADDRESSES:

Home—Glendale, CA. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Applause Theater & Cinema Books, 19 W. 21st St., New York, NY 10010. E-mail—ray@raymorton.com.

CAREER:

Consultant and script analyst in Hollywood, CA; Scr(i)pt magazine, senior writer and columnist. Also was television situation comedy writer for several shows, including Brothers, Showtime; screenwriting fellow at the American Film Institute.

WRITINGS:

King Kong: The History of a Movie Icon from Fay Wray to Peter Jackson, Applause Theatre & Cinema Books (New York, NY), 2005.

SIDELIGHTS:

In his first book, King Kong: The History of a Movie Icon from Fay Wray to Peter Jackson, former television sitcom writer Ray Morton provides a history of this Hollywood film icon. He begins with the original 1933 movie, complete with illustrations, test shots, and still shots. He also discusses in depth the 1976 remake and comments on the 2005 movie directed by Peter Jackson. In addition, the author writes about Japanese King Kong movies, such as King Kong versus Godzilla, and related movies, such as The Mighty Joe Young, a follow-up to the original film. Throughout his discussion of the films, Morton relates such insider information as script changes and discusses the various films' special effects. He also relates how the films were eventually received by the critics and public. Writing in the Hollywood Reporter, Gregory McNamee called the book "a solid contribution to the everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know genre." McNamee went on to write, "His affectionate look at Kong's past and present is a pleasure for buffs and film historians alike." Library Journal contributor Anthony J. Adam commented on the extensive interviews the author conducted and noted that he "truly has done yeoman's work."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Hollywood Reporter, December 22, 2005, Gregory McNamee, review of King Kong: The History of a Movie Icon from Fay Wray to Peter Jackson, p. 6.

Library Journal, December 1, 2005, Anthony J. Adam, review of King Kong, p. 133.

Publishers Weekly, November 7, 2005, review of King Kong, p. 70.

Reference & Research Book News, February, 2006, review of King Kong.

ONLINE

Ray Morton Home Page,http://www.raymorton.com (April 24, 2006).