Ray Morton: Author and Film Historian

Ray Morton

Ray Morton is an film historian, author, and screenwriter.

He has written a number of cinema history books, including KING KONG: THE HISTORY OF A MOVIE ICON -- REVISED AND UPDATED EDITION and CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND: THE MAKING OF STEVEN SPIELBERG’S CLASSIC FILM and contributed to many others. He has also written screenplays, teleplays, and magazine articles; worked as a story and screenplay consultant; and was a columnist for Script Magazine.

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King Kong: The History of a Movie Icon

Revised and Updated Edition

This new, extensively expanded, revised, and updated edition of Ray's 2005 tome King Kong: The History of a Movie Icon has just been published by Bloomsbury. It features all new information, all-new interviews, and all-new chapters to present the most complete account ever of the entire King Kong phenomenon. Now available in bookstores and from online retailers, including Bloomsbury.com, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, and Bookshop.org.

Inglorious Treksperts

King Kong and Treks Not Taken

Ray was a guest on the Inglorious Treksperts podcast, discussing both King Kong (and Ray's new King Kong book) and the legendary unmade Star Trek feature film PLANET OF THE TITANS with hosts Mark A. Altman and Daren Dochterman.

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Adam's Corner

King Kong Lives at 40

Ray was a guest on the Adam's Corner podcast hosted by film critic and pop culture historian Adam Long, discussing David Cronenberg's 1986 remake of THE FLY on the occasion of its 40th anniversary.

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The Hold-Up Podcast

Hair (1979)

Ray was a guest on The Hold-Up Podcast, watching and discussing Milos Forman's innovative 1979 musical HAIR with hosts Jon Nelson and John Longino.

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King Kong (1976)

New 4K Restoration from Studio Canal

The commentary track Ray recorded for Shout Factory's 2021 Collector's Edition blu-ray of King Kong (1976) has been included (along with many of that disc's other special features) on this brand new 2022 4K restoration of the film from Studio Canal.

King Kong Lives (1986)

All-Region Blu-Ray from Umbrella Entertainment

Ray recorded a commentary track detailing the history and production of Dino DeLaurentiis's ill-fated 1986 sequel to his 1976 remake for this terrific new all-region blu-ray from Umbrella Entertainment.

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Icons Unearthed: Star Wars

Ray is one of the primary on-camera contributors to this exciting 6-part television series from Nacelle that chronicles the making of the first six Star Wars movies. Currently streaming on Amazon Prime.

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The Unofficial Oral History of Planet of the Apes

by Joe Russo, Larry Landsman & Edward Gross

Ray is a contributor to this first installment of this two-part oral history of Planet of the Apes film series.

"Along with the James Bond series, Apes actually pioneered the concept of the cinematic franchise as it is now understood...like all of the best science fiction film and television, the series spoke to the issues and anxieties of the day...in an entertaining, action-adventure format that audiences could and did eagerly embrace."

Voices from Krypton

An Oral History of Superman by Edward Gross

Ray is a contributor to this epic new oral history of Superman by Edward Gross

"Superman...connects directly with one of the most basic of human desires: to know that there is more to us than what appears to be on the surface -- that beneath our seemingly ordinay exteriors lies something great and powerful and wonderful. No other superhero character addresses this dream more exactly or directly."