Russell Powell Movies
Burly vaudeville monologist/comedian
Russell J. Powell made his first film in 1920. It wasn't until the advent of talkies, however, that
Powell's gift for dialects and bizarre vocal sound effects could truly be appreciated. His more memorable screen roles included the Afghan Ambassador in
Lubitsch's
The Love Parade (1929) and his blackface turn as the Kingfish in the Amos and Andy vehicle
Check and Double Check (1930). So far as many film aficionados are concerned,
Russell J. Powell achieved immortality as the dockhand in the opening scene of
King Kong (1933), who launches into a stream of fluent exposition with the quizzical "Say, you goin' on this craaazy voyage?" ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
