The Gorilla

1939

comedy, mystery, Maniac

Upon receiving a death threat from the "Gorilla", a killer infamous for a string of murders, insurance broker Walter Stevens employs detectives Garrity, Harrigan and Mulligan for protection. The detectives arrive at Stevens' mansion that night, and proceed to explore the house and grounds, and question servants. All to no avail, because as the clock strikes midnight Stevens disappears. Stars: The Ritz Brothers, Anita Louise, Patsy Kelly, Lionel Atwill, Bela Lugosi, Joseph Calleia, Edward Norris, and Wally Vernon This copy doesn't show the short, repeating scene that occurs shortly after 37 minutes seen in this copy and this one. IMDb Page

The Gorilla is a 1939 comedy horror film starring the Ritz Brothers, Lionel Atwill, Bela Lugosi, and Patsy Kelly. It was based on a The Gorilla of the same name by Ralph Spence.

Plot outline

When a wealthy man (Lionel Atwill) is threatened by a killer known as The Gorilla, he hires the Ritz Brothers to investigate. A real escaped gorilla shows up at the mansion just as the investigators arrive. Patsy Kelly portrays a newly hired maid who wants to quit because the butler, played by Bela Lugosi, scares her.

Production

By October 1938, 20th Century Fox bought the rights to Ralph Spence's play The Gorilla. Fox wanted production on the film to start in January, which would be when The Ritz Brothers finished their tour. The studio wanted Kane Richmond to play a part in the film, but Richmond was replaced by Edward Norris who signed on for the film Charlie Chan in Reno. Fox signed on Bela Lugosi for the film as the butler. This character was originally meant for Peter Lorre.</>

Release and reception

The Gorilla premiered on May 26, 1939. A negative review of the film was written in The New York Times stating, "It's all supposed to be either really funny or shockingly thrilling, depending on how you look at it. We couldn't see it either way."

Notes

Category:1939 films
Category:1930s horror films
Category:American films
Category:Black-and-white films
Category:English-language films
Category:20th Century Fox films
Category:Films directed by Allan Dwan
Category:Films based on plays
Category:American comedy horror films

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Harry Joe Brown