Carl Denham I'm not gonna let 'em kill my film!
Played by Jack Black 
King Kong (2005) · 65 quotes
King Kong (2005) · 65 quotes
Most-quoted character in King Kong (2005): in 37 of its 65 quotes
Most scenes with: Lumpy (12), Captain Englehorn (7), Jack Driscoll (6)
"And lo, the beast looked upon the face of beauty, and beauty stayed his hand. And from that day forward, he was as one dead."
More lines from Carl Denham
13 quotes Carl Denham Carl Denham There's still some mystery left in this world, and we can all have a piece of it. For the price of an admission ticket.
Carl Denham [after escaping angry studio executives]
Don't worry, Preston, I've had a lot of practice at this. I'm real good at crappin' the crappers.
Carl Denham Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Kong, THE EIGHTH WONDER OF THE WORLD!
Carl Denham Goddammit, Preston, all you had to do was look her in the eye and lie!
Carl Denham Sorry, fellas, you're gonna have to do better than that. Monsters belong in B movies.
Carl Denham Defeat is always momentary.
Carl Denham It wasn't the airplanes. It was Beauty killed the Beast.
Carl Denham Just as you go down for the third and final time, as your head disappears beneath the waves, and your lungs fill with water, do you know what happens in those last precious seconds before you drown? Your whole life passes before your eyes... and if you've lived as a true American, you get to watch it all in color.
Carl Denham The whole world will pay to see this.
Carl Denham We'll give him more than chains. He's always been king of his world!! But we'll teach him fear. We're millionaires, boys! I'll share it with all of you. In a few months, his name will be up in lights on Broadway! Kong: The Eighth Wonder of the World!
Carl Denham Observe if you will... [carefully puts his hand on Kong's arm. The audience gasps] ...I am touching the beast! I am actually laying my hands on the 25-foot gorilla! [Kong's hand twitches slightly, spooking Carl, causing him to jump. The audience laughs.]
Carl Denham And now, we have in the auditorium tonight... a surprise guest. The real-life hero of this story. The man who hunted down the mighty Kong! The man who risked all to win the freedom of a helpless female. A big hand for Mr. Bruce Baxter!
Scenes with Carl Denham
23 scenes
Investor 1
[upon receiving word that Carl Denham has hired a ship to get to a location for his picture]
What location, Carl?! You're supposed to be shooting on the back lot!
Carl Denham Yes, I understand that. But fellas, we're not making that film anymore. Things have changed. The script has been rewritten. Life... intervened. I've come into possession of a map. The sole surviving record of an uncharted island-- thought to exist only in myth! Until now...
Investor 1
Whoa. Carl. Slow down.
Investor 3
Is he asking for more money?
Investor 2
He's asking us to fund a wild goose chase.
Carl Denham I'm talking about a primative world... never before seen by man. That's where I'll shoot my picture.
Investor 3
Will there be boobies?
Carl Denham Boobies?
Investor 3
Jigglies. Jiblonkas. Bazooms. In my experience, people only go to these films to observe the undraped form of the native girls.
Carl Denham What are you, an idiot? You think they asked DeMill if he would waste his time on nudie shots? NO! They respected the filmmaker! They showed some class! Not that you'd know what that means, you cheap lowlife! God...
Investor 1
Would you step out for a moment, Carl?
[Carl leaves the room and points to a glass of water] Gimme that!
You won't like it. It's non-alcoholic.
Carl Denham [emptying the water into a plant pot]
Preston, you have a lot to learn about the motion picture business. [he presses the glass against the door and listens intently]
Investor 1
Don't get me wrong. Carl Denham's made some interesting pictures. He's had a lot of... near success.
Investor 2
He's a preening self promoter. Washed up, no talent. The guy's got 'loser' written all over him.
Investor 1
Look, I know his project isn't working out as well as we planned, but--
Investor 2
This jumped up little turd's gonna bankrupt us!
Investor 1
The animal footage has value.
Investor 3
Sure. Universal are desperate for stock footage.
Investor 2
Then sell it! Scrap the picture!
Investor 1
(sighs)
Get him back in.
Receptionist
Mr... Denham? [Carl and Preston have dissapeared from the waiting room]
Carl Denham Vaudeville, huh? I worked Vaudeville once. That is a tough audience. If you don't kill 'em fast, they kill you--
Mr. Denham. I want you to know that I'm not in the habit of accepting charity from strangers, or for that matter... taking things that don't belong to me.
Carl Denham It was obviously a terrible misunderstanding.
It's just that I haven't been paid in a while--
Carl Denham That's awful. Anyway, Ann. You wouldn't happen to be a size 4 by any chance? [Ann stands to leave] No, no. Oh God, no! You've got me all wrong. Ann, please! I'm not that type of person at all.
What type of person are you?
Carl Denham I'm someone you can trust, Ann. I'm a movie producer. Believe me, I am on the level. No funny business. Please, sit down. Please, sit down. Please. [Ann reluctantly sits] I want you to imagine a handsome explorer bound for the Far East.
You're filming in the Far East?
Carl Denham Singapore. On board ship he meets a mysterious girl. She's beautiful, she's fragile. Taunted. But she can't escape the feeling that forces beyond her control are compelling her down a road, from which she can not draw back. It's as if her whole life has been a prelude to this moment; this fateful meeting... that changes everything. And sure enough, against her better judgement...
She falls in love.
Carl Denham Yes!
But she doesn't trust it. She's not even sure if she believes in love.
Carl Denham Uh... really? Why is that?
Good things never last, Mr. Denham.
Carl Denham So you're interested? Great. Now, I don't wanna rush you, but we are under some time pressure.
Well, I really--
Carl Denham Ann, I'm telling you. You're perfect. Look at you, you're the saddest girl I've ever met. You're gonna make 'em weep, Ann. You're gonna break their hearts.
See, that's where you're wrong, Mr. Denham. I make people laugh, that's what I do. Good luck with your picture.
Carl Wait! Ann, Miss Darrow, Please! I'm offering you money, adventure, fame, the thrill of a lifetime and a long sea voyage! You wanna read a script? Jack Driscoll's turning in a draft as we speak.
Jack Driscoll?
Carl Denham Sure, why? Wait... you know him?
Carl Denham [while filming a herd of Brontosaurs]
Walk forward, Bruce.
What?!
Carl Denham You're the star of this picture, now get into character and hit toward the animals!
Are you sure about this, Denham? Don't we have a stand-in for this type of thing?
Carl Denham I need you in the shot or people will say they're fake.
Oh, nobody's gonna think these are fake!
You wanna trap the ape?
Carl Denham Isn't that what you do? Live animal capture? I heard you were the best.
Carl Denham [after Englehorn turns the ship away from Denham's course]
One more week. That's all I'm asking. Please. I haven't got a film yet. I've risked everything I have on this trip.
No, Denham. You've risked everything I have.
Carl Denham What do you want? Tell me what you want, I'll give you anything!
I want you off my ship.
Carl Denham [contemplating his arrest]
I'm finished.
How did you think this would end, Carl?
[In the cabin, the ship's compass spins wildly and points in all directions]
Chart our position. Use the stars.
There are no stars, captain.
Carl Denham What?
That, right there.
Carl Denham (sarcastically)
I don't know. What is it, a coffee stain? (looks at the map and sees the disturbing effigy of Kong)
[the boat is leaving the dock, and Carl has forced Jack to accompany him because he hasn't finished the script]
God damn it!
Carl Denham I keep telling you, Jack. There's no money in theatre.
Carl Denham I'll give you another thousand if you leave right now.
You haven't given me the first thousand yet.
Carl Denham I'll make it worth your while...
There's nothing out there.
Carl Denham Then you've nothing to lose.
[after saving Carl, Jack, Jimmy and Preston from oversized insects]
That's the thing about cockroaches. No matter how many times you flush them down the toilet, they always crawl back up the bowl.
Carl Denham Hey buddy, I'm out of the bowl. I'm drying off my wings and trekkin' across the lid!
Carl Denham $2000 is the deal. Will you take a check?
Do I have a choice?
Carl Denham Bring the tripod and all of the film stock.
Herb You wanna go to the six-inch lens?
Carl Denham [he considers the size of Kong, who he has just seen for the first time]
Wide-angle will do just fine.
Zelman [learning that Carl has hired a ship to get to a location for his picture]
What location, Carl?! You're supposed to be shooting on the back lot!
Carl Denham Yes, I understand that, but fellas, we're not making that film anymore. And I'll tell you why. The story has changed. The script has been rewritten. Life... intervened. I've come into possession of a map. The sole surviving record of an uncharted island. A place that was thought to exist only in myth. Until now...
Zelman Whoa, Carl, slow down.
Sleazy Studio Guy
Is he asking for more money?
Thuggish Studio Guy
He's asking us to fund a wild goose chase.
Carl Denham Where we're going is the only place on Earth where the geese chase us! I'm talking about a primitive world, never before seen by man. The ruins of an entire civilization. The most spectacular thing you've ever seen. That's where I'll shoot my picture. [After a moment's silence] So, any questions?
Sleazy Studio Guy
Will there be action?
Carl Denham Yes.
Thuggish Studio Guy
Will there be mystery and drama?
Carl Denham Yes.
Sleazy Studio Guy
Will there be romance?
Carl Denham Yes.
Thuggish Studio Guy
Will there be danger, terror and suspense?
Carl Denham Yes!
Sleazy Studio Guy
Will the island natives be friendly or hostile?
Carl Denham Well, that depends.
Thuggish Studio Guy
Depends on what?
Carl Denham Which side they're on, and whether or not they might turn out to be bloodthirsty savages. [after a long pause] Any other questions?
Zelman Are you sure this new picture will make a lot of money at the box office?
Carl Denham Yes! Now, if there's nothing else...
Sleazy Studio Guy
[raises his hand]
Just one more question, if you don't mind my asking?
Carl Denham [After a moment's silence]
Go ahead.
Sleazy Studio Guy
Will there be breasts?
Carl Denham [incredulous]
Breasts?!
Sleazy Studio Guy
You know what I mean! Jigglies. Jiblonkas. Bazooms. You see, in my experience, people only go to these films to observe the undressed form of the native girls.
Carl Denham What are you, an idiot? You think they asked DeMille if he would waste his time on nude shots? No! They respected the filmmaker! They showed some class! Not that you'd know what that means, you cheap lowlife! [Zelman gives the thuggish studio guy an angry look] Is there anything I can do to make it up to you guys?
Zelman Actually, there is. Would you step outside for a moment, Carl?
Carl Denham [leaves the room and points to a glass of water]
Gimme that!
You won't like it. It's non-alcoholic.
Carl Denham [emptying the water into a plant pot]
Preston, you have a lot to learn about the motion picture business. [he presses the glass against the door and listens intently]
Zelman Don't write him off, fellas. He's hot-headed, sure. But up to now, Carl Denham's made some interesting pictures; he's had a lot of... near success.
Thuggish Studio Guy
He's a preening self-promoter... an ambitious no-talent! The guy has "loser" written all over him.
Zelman Look, I understand your disappointment –
Thuggish Studio Guy
He's washed up. It's all over town!
Sleazy Studio Guy
He can't direct. He doesn't have the smarts.
Thuggish Studio Guy
This jumped-up little jerk's gonna bankrupt us!
Zelman The animal footage has value?
Sleazy Studio Guy
Sure! Universal is desperate for stock footage!
Thuggish Studio Guy
Then sell it! Scrap the picture! We gotta retrieve something from this debacle.
Zelman [sighs]
Get him back in.
Zelman's Assistant: Mister... Denham?
[Carl and Preston have disappeared from the waiting room]
Carl Denham Fay's a size four.
Yes, she is, but she's doing a picture with RKO.
Carl Denham [bitter and defeated]
Cooper, huh? I might've known.
Carl Denham Two thousand – it's a deal. Will you take a check?
Do I have a choice?
[The boat is leaving the dock, and Carl has forced Jack to accompany him because he hasn't finished the script]
Dammit!
Carl Denham I keep telling you, Jack, there's no money in theater. You're much better off sticking with film.
I don't do it for the money, Carl. I happen to love theater.
Carl Denham No, you don't. But If you really loved it, you would've jumped.
Carl Denham [Carl is discussing the rest of the script with Jack as he is typing on a typewriter]
She's standing at the railing. She doesn't know it yet, but they are sailing towards disaster. You got that?
Okay, so she turns... the first mate is staggering towards her. There's a knife sticking out of his back.
Carl Denham Wait a sec. We're killing off the first mate?
That's assuming she knows who the first mate is.
Carl Denham Come on, Jack. It was an honest mistake. Ann is nearsighted. It could have happened to anyone.
I was joking, Carl.
Carl Denham The point is she's horrified. She has to look away. And that's when she sees it.
Sees what? What?
Carl Denham [intensely]
The island.
We're filming on an island now? When did this happen?
Carl Denham [shushing]
Jack, keep your voice down. I don't want the crew getting spooked.
Why would they get spooked? What's it called?
Carl Denham All right. It has a local name... but I'm warning you, Jack, it doesn't sound good. [whispering] They call it Skull Island. Did you get that?
What's wrong with this place?
Carl Denham There's nothing officially wrong with it. Because, technically, it hasn't been discovered yet.
[to himself]
Okay. All right. So we arrive at this place, called... [he begins to type it out, saying the letters out loud as he does] S... K... U... L... L... Island.
[Carl turns to see Jimmy has overheard the whole thing]
Carl Denham Relax, Captain. We're not going thousands of miles. And if it makes you feel any better, I'll make it worth your while.
I tell you, Denham, there's nothing out there.
Carl Denham Well then, I guess you've nothing to lose.
If someone were to tell you this ship was headed for Singapore, what would you say?
I would say they're full of it, Mr. Hayes. We turned southwest last night.
Carl Denham Gentlemen, please. We're not looking for trouble, if that's what you two are worried about.
No. You're looking for something else.
Carl Denham Yes, we are. We're going to find Skull Island. Find it, film it, show it to the world. For about 25 cents, you get to see the last blank space on the map.
I wouldn't be so sure of that.
What do you mean? Is there something you're not telling us?
Seven years ago, me and Mr. Hayes were working our passage... on a Norwegian schooner.
We picked up a castaway. We found him in the water. He'd been drifting for days.
His ship had run aground on an island way west of Sumatra. An island hidden in fog. He spoke of a huge wall... built so long ago... that no one knew who'd made it. A wall over 200 feet high... as strong today as it was ages ago.
Why did they build the wall?
Does the name "Kong" mean anything to you?
Carl Denham Oh, come on, guys! That's nothing but a native superstition! A legend! A myth!
Even legends, or myths, have a basis of truth. [After a moment's silence] Believe what you want. But the castaway, he spoke of a creature... neither beast nor man, but something monstrous, living behind that wall.
Carl Denham [unimpressed]
A lion, a tiger... or a bear, perhaps. A man-eater. That's how all these stories start.
What else did he say?
Nothing. When we found him the next morning, he'd stuck a knife through his heart.
Carl Denham [laughing]
Mmm-hmm. Sorry, fellas, but you'll have to do better than that. Monsters belong in B-movies.
Even if you find this place, even if you go ashore with your friends and your cameras, you won't come back alive. Just as long as you understand that.
The Venture
[hands out a message to the Captain just outside]
Message for you, Captain.
Carl Denham [meanwhile, Carl Denham rushes upstairs]
What's going on? [sees Hayes turning the ship with a steering wheel] Hayes, why are we changing course?
Don't look at me, Denham. You'll have to ask the Captain.
Carl Denham [sees Englehorn]
Englehorn, you can't turn this ship around without...
[cuts Denham off]
Outside, Denham! Right now. [from outside the ship] There's a warrant out for your arrest. Did you know that?
Carl Denham Englehorn, if this is a joke –
It's no joke, Denham. I've been ordered to divert to Rangoon.
Carl Denham Another week. I haven't got a film yet. Please, I've risked everything I have on this trip.
No, Denham. You've done more than that. You risked everything I have.
Carl Denham What do you want? Tell me what you want, I'll give you anything!
I want you off my ship.
Carl Denham [while filming a herd of Brontosauruses]
Walk forward, Bruce.
What?!
Carl Denham You're the star of this picture. Get into character and head toward the animals!
Those animals are the least of our worries! We're after Miss Darrow, remember?
Carl Denham Look, will you do as you're told?
Well, if you insist...
Carl Denham [During Kong's broadway presentation and performance]
Please remain calm, ladies and gentlemen! We now come to the climax of this savage ritual. The sacrifice of a beautiful young girl. Behold her terror as she is offered to the mighty Kong! Give a big hand, folks, for the bravest girl I have ever met; Ms. Ann Darrow!
Actress
[The audience applauds wildly for Ann. As the reenactment of the sacrifice begins, a prop altar rises from a trapdoor in the stage carrying a blonde girl] [screams, pretending to be scared]
Save me from the beast! [Kong roars in rage. Everyone in the auditorium gasps in shock.] No! no!! Help me! No!!
I have no idea. I heard he offered her all kinds of money and she turned him down flat.
[Scene switches, revealing that the real Ann is in another theater nearby, practicing a dance number]
Carl Denham Here's your story, boys! "Beauty... and the man who saved her from the beast!" Take the pictures.
[The reporters begin to take pictures. Kong roars as the flashbulbs blind his eyes, frightening and enraging the mighty ape] [Seeing Kong's mounting anger]
Oh no... [Kong begins to roar louder and thrashes around on the stage, still chained up.] We have to get these people out of here. [to the audience] Everyone needs to leave! Okay? He thinks that girl is a fake! Come on!
Denham, for once in your life, could you please tell that great big ape to be quiet?
Carl Denham Let him roar! It makes a swell picture. [Laughs]
Head for the exits!
Theater Patron
Get your own seat, buddy! You're not having mine.
[Kong's roars grow louder, and he begins to tug on his chains. The audience begins to grow nervous and worried.]
Excuse me, fellas. Coming through! Coming through, fellas!
Actress
[Kong tugs on his chains and one of his giant wrist cuffs breaks. The audience screams. Patrons react in terror, heading for the doors]
Somebody!! SOMEBODY HELP ME!!!
[As the actors on stage flee for their lives, Kong violently grabs the actress from the prop altar with his free arm]
Go! Go now!
Photographer #1
[Last lines] [All of the news photographers and nearby peoples gather to see the fallen King Kong in front of the Empire State Building]
Why'd he do that? Climb up there and get himself cornered? The ape must have known what was coming.
Photographer #2
He was just a dumb animal. Didn't know nothing. [Carl Denham comes barging through the crowd to see what has become of his beast] What does it matter? The airplanes got him.
Carl Denham It wasn't the airplanes. It was Beauty that killed the Beast.
