MIGHTY JOE YOUNG (1949) Jungle Visual Effects - Colorized Mighty Joe Young (also known as Mr. Joseph Young of Africa and The Great Joe Young) is a 1949 American black and white fantasy film distributed by RKO Radio Pictures and produced by the same creative team responsible for King Kong (1933). Produced by Merian C. Cooper, who wrote the story, and Ruth Rose, who wrote the screenplay. The film was directed by Ernest B. Schoedsack and stars Robert Armstrong (who appears in both films), Terry Moo