Monkey Business

Poor Dr. Brewster. One day he gets up, decides, “Hey! Think I’ll turn myself into an ape today.”

So, he does. Well, actually, he’s sort of stuck somewhere in between. When we come into the story in The Ape Man (1943), that’s where he is. Stuck. And sharing quarters with his pet gorilla.

Then, he starts thinking, “Hey! This may not have been one of my better ideas. I don’t want to be an ape anymore.”

Slight problem. He needs spinal fluid. From freshly killed victims.

Oops!

And, his good buddy, Dr. George Randall, decides he doesn’t want to play Igor (or Ygor), whackin’ potential donors on the head.

What’s a mad scientist to do?

No matter whether Mr. Lugosi plays a vampire or an ape man, he always brings everything he’s got to the screen. His range always amazes. At times he breaks your heart. There he is, a tragic character, a victim of his own experiments. The next, he’s a man willing to sacrifice anyone else so he can become human again. And, then, he’s comic, as he walks hunched over, arms swinging.

But, let’s not forget our other players. Wallace Ford, as the likeable reporter who was always cracking wise, made a career of playing similar roles.

Louise Currie, as the photographer half of the investigative journalist team, was a staple of B movies until the 50’s, when she went into architectural design and decorating with her husband.

Then, we must acknowledge Emil Van Horn, one of the best gorilla actors of the 40’s. No, really. Emil made a career of playing gorillas in the B’s.

The poor sound quality of the film meant we had to really work at understanding the characters at times. In retrospect, I should have used the subtitle option on the player, but that’s a note to self for next time that happens. It is, however, a problem with some older films. But, The Ape Man was a real treat, it moved along at a nice clip, and alternated well between humor, mystery, and classic horror, and was well worth the viewing.

'til next time... Adios.