1976 Topps King Kong trading cards highlight the Dino De Laurentiis-produced remake starring Jeff Bridges, Jessica Lange and actors in gorilla suits. Although special effects had come a long way since the 1933 original up to this point, they still weren’t there all the way yet, which is something that’s apparent on many of the cards. Still, being a part of the King Kong trading card family, there still is some interest in this set.
1976 Topps King Kong Checklist Details
The base set has 55 cards, running through the film. The titular ape is a focal point throughout much of the checklist, although it would be fair to say that Lange’s Dwan shares the starring role in the set. One or both of them are on the majority of cards. Bridges and Charles Grodin are not a part of the set.
The design takes a Hollywood approach with red borders and the film’s title inside of a film strip icon. This plays into the splashy, larger-than-life blockbuster the movie aimed to be. While collectors likely want lots of Kong cards, the still nature of the photos show just how inanimate the effects are at times making for something that’s equal parts creepy and awkward. Perhaps the nicest cards are the handful that show production art rather than movie stills.
Backs take two forms. Most are puzzle pieces. However, there are also Movie Facts backs on some cards that explain the making of the movie and its background.
Every pack has one Sticker with 11 in the insert set. These have images already used in the base set placed inside of a film strip frame.
For those looking for top-condition cards, 1976 Topps King Kong is tough. The red borders are prone to dings and make every ding noticeable. And while not rare, it’s not as common as some other sets from around the same time frame, paralleling the moderate popularity of the movie itself.
1976 Topps Kings Kong Checklist
Set size: 55 cards
Cards per pack: 6
Packs per box: 36
Shop for 1976 Topps King Kong boxes and packs on eBay.
Base Set Checklist
55 cards.
Buy on eBay:
1 Kong Fights a Mighty Battle to the Death!
2 Kong Attacks New York Harbor!
3 Kong Battles a Gigantic Serpent!
4 The Great Wall Is Smashed by Kong!
5 Kong Scales the Buildings of New York!
6 Subway Trains Are Demolished by Kong!
7 Speeding Toward the Fog-Shrouded Island!
8 The Expedition Braves Dangerous Waters!
9 The Natives Chant “Kong…Kong…Kong!”
10 Observing the Strange Native Ritual!
11 Natives Wear Strange Costumes for Kong!
12 Witch Doctor Dons a Terrifying Costume!
13 Dwan Is Kidnapped by the Natives!
14 Dwan Is Dressed in Native Attire!
15 Dwan, Helpless, Cannot Escape Her Fate!
16 Beyond the Great Wall Lies…What?
17 Huge Doors Open and Dwan Is Carried Inside!
18 The Lovely Dwan Awaits Kong’s Arrival!
19 The Jungle Trembles When Kong Appears!
20 Dwan Watches in Horror as Kong Approaches!
21 A Huge Hairy Paw Lifts Dwan Into the Air!
22 The Mud-Covered Dwan Is Washed Clean!
23 Dwan Is Dazed After Being Washed by a Waterfall!
24 Dwan Faints in the Great Ape’s Paw!
25 Kong Treats His New Friend Dwan Kindly!
26 Dwan Tells Kong She’s Afraid of Heights!
27 A Big Hand for the Little Lady!
28 Kong Puts the Terrified Dwan Down!
29 Wilson’s Men Crash to Their Deaths!
30 Kong Is Captured When He Falls Into a Pit!
31 Dwan Is Rescued!
32 Kong Is Transported to Civilization!
33 Dwan Is Present for Kong’s Debut!
34 King Kong Is Displayed to the World!
35 The Great Ape Is Angered by Man’s Greed!
36 Panic Strikes the City as Kong Breaks Loose!
37 Thousands Scream as Kong Escapes Captivity!
38 Kong Rampages Through the City!
39 Kong Falls from the World Trade Center Towers!
40 Actress Jessica Lange
41 Mightiest Monster That Ever Lived!
42 Natives Tie Dwan to the Sacrificial Altar!
43 Dwan Helplessly Awaits the Monster Kong!
44 Kong, Eighth Wonder of the World!
45 Kong Prowls New York in Search of Dwan!
46 Witch Doctor Prepares Dwan for Her Ordeal!
47 New York Trembles as the Great Ape Attacks!
48 A Heartbroken Dwan Stands by Kong’s Body.
49 No Bars Are Strong Enough to Hold Kong!
50 Beauty and the Beast
51 Dwan and Kong Make the New York Scene!
52 The Lady and the Monster
53 Kong Is Held Captive in Shea Stadium!
54 Reporters Try to Take Kong’s Picture
55 Dwan Seems Unalarmed as Kong Breaks Free!
Stickers Checklist
11 cards.
1 per pack.
1A Kong on Top of Building
2A Kong Fighting in Water
3A Kong Smashing Through Gate
4A Kong Fighting Snake
5A Kong Climbing Skyscraper
6A Kong Destroying Train
7A Kong Portrait
8A Kong Lying Down
9A Close-Up of Kong’s Face
10A Dwan in Kong’s Palm
11A Dwan Kneeling
