Monkey business with Queen Kong

But now more than a quarter of a century later it is set to be released on DVD. Movie journalist Mike Simpson is researching an article on the film and wants to hear from people who have any memories of its production in Newhaven.

Mike said: 'It's a very silly film, sort of Benny Hill Show meets Carry On Up The Jungle. Far from politically correct but quite funny if you're a fan of old-fashioned 1970's British comedy.'

The $600,000 film stars Robin Askwith, of the Confessions series of films, as Ray Fay who is picked by film director Luce Habit, played by Rula Lenska, to star in her new movie.

Unsurprisingly, Queen Kong is played by a man in a gorilla suit.

Mike added: 'It was filmed in June and July 1976 at Shepperton Studios and on location at Newhaven and at Tuctonia Model Village, near Christchurch.

'The credits thank Cresta Marine, Newhaven, which may have owned the tugboat that features in the film.'

However, the film never saw the light of day after King Kong producer Dino De Laurentiis decided it was rip-off rather than a parody and took Queen Kong's director Frank Agrama to the High Court.

The film remained unseen for 25 years until last year when it was licensed to a Japanese distributor.

Mike said: 'Who would have thought that Newhaven would ever be seen on cinema screens in Tokyo?'

Readers who remember Queen Kong can contact Mike Simpson at 405 Saffron Lane, Leicester, LE2 6UF, or email him at [email protected]