Holiday Film Festival

Did You Know?

• In 1979, Play World sponsored a TV crossword game during commercial breaks where viewers could win a shopping spree or gift certificates.
• The films later appeared on cable television's American Movie Classics and became staples on the Sci-Fi Channel during the 1990s.
• The Godzilla films began appearing on other local stations after WOR-TV lost the rights, and were broadcast in the New York area until 1989.

History

The series began on Thanksgiving Day 1976 with Mighty Joe Young at 1 p.m., King Kong vs. Godzilla at 3 p.m., and Son of Kong at 5 p.m. The ratings were strong enough that WOR-TV added the day after Thanksgiving to the lineup. In subsequent years, the Thanksgiving broadcasts repeated the same three films, though the Friday schedule varied, sometimes including Godzilla vs The Cosmic Monster, Son of Godzilla, Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster, and Godzilla vs. Megalon. The 1977 broadcast aired Mighty Joe Young at 1:00, King Kong at 3:00, and Son of Kong at 5:00. From 1978 to 1980, the films shifted to 12:30, 2:30, and 4:30. In 1981, they aired at 1:00, 2:45, and 4:45. From 1982 to 1984, the order changed to King Kong at 1:00, Son of Kong at 3:00, and Mighty Joe Young at 4:15. The final broadcast in 1985 featured King Kong at 1:00 and Mighty Joe Young at 3:00. Shortly after 1985, WOR-TV lost the broadcast rights to the RKO library due to parent company RKO General agreeing to sell Channel 9 to MCA Inc. in 1986, with the sale finalized in 1987.