Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla

1952

horror, comedy, sci-fi, Bela Lugosi, pdmovies

Entertainers Duke Mitchell and Sammy Petrillo parachute into the jungles of the Pacific island of Cola-Cola, where they meet primitive tribesmen, the chief's sarong-clad daughter Nona, and mad scientist Dr. Zabor (Bela Lugosi) conducting experiments in evolution. Jealous of Mitchell's relations with Nona, Zabor has just the thing to make a monkey of him...

Image:BrooklynGorilla.jpg
Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla (also known as The Boys from Brooklyn) is a 1952 American Comedy film Horror film science fiction film directed by William Beaudine and starring horror veteran Bela Lugosi and nightclub comedians Duke Mitchell and Sammy Petrillo in roles approximating the then popular duo of Martin and Lewis.

Pre-production

Comedian Sammy Petrillo had established something of a career imitating comedian Jerry Lewis, whom he resembled closely. Petrillo and singer Duke Mitchell - who took on the Dean Martin role - played in various clubs in Las Vegas, Nevada among other cities. Maurice Duke, who managed the duo, had pitched the idea of Petrillo and Mitchell starring in a movie to several studios. Duke eventually pitched the idea to Realart Pictures Inc. co-owner Jack Broder and his assistant, producer Herman Cohen. Duke then took Broder to see Petrillo and Duke perform in Culver City. While Broder thought the duo was hilarious, Herman Cohen (who saw the duo's act later) said he thought Petrillo and Mitchell "stunk".</> Wallis and Broder later had a meeting after filming had completed and, according to Herman Cohen, Broder offered to sell Hal Wallis the negative to the film for a substantial amount of money. Wallis agreed to buy it so he could destroy it but Broder and Wallis could not agree on price. Broder released the film and Wallis never spoke to Broder again.</> The film was originally to be titled White Woman of the Lost Jungle. The Gorilla title was thought up by Jack Broder's ten year old son. Associate producer Herman Cohen decided it would be foolish not to exploit Bela Lugosi's appearance in the film and decide to retitle the film using Lugosi's name.</>< name=frank></> The film's budget was $12,000.< name=frank/>