Well before 1939's "The Gorilla", and 1940's "The Ape", you had this Astor Pictures release - "The Monster Walks", an early treatment of the big monkey theme prior to the following year's blockbuster "King Kong". But to even mention the first three in the same breath (which I just did, sorry!) would be a great disservice to one of my all time favorite films. As a Poverty Row project, this one must have really had a limited budget, as the ape in question was actually a chimpanzee; though come to think of it, at least it was a live animal, and not a man in a gorilla suit. Once the chimp's name is revealed as Yogi, you know you won't be able to pin any murders on the poor old boy.
The story revolves around the large inheritance left a young woman (Vera Reynolds) by her father, with the provision that if she dies, the money reverts to the dead man's brother Robert (Sheldon Lewis), crippled and confined to a wheel chair. The story line at least keeps you wondering whether Robert will eventually pop out of his chair to reveal himself as a suspect, as Ruth's fiancée Dr. Clayton (Rex Lease) surmises. Also dissatisfied with the outcome of the will are Emma Krug (Martha Mattox) and her son Hanns (Mischa Auer). Auer's performance borrows the early Bela Lugosi forced diction and Boris Karloff's Frankenstein walk. It struck me somewhat humorously that his appearance resembles a cross between a bemused Stan Laurel and a maniacal Christopher Walken. Close your eyes and picture it.
I didn't quite know what to make of the incessant drum gong throughout the film. It was as if an important new revelation was about to become known, until I eventually realized it was supposed to be thunder.
As if comic relief were needed for this movie, Willie Best is on hand in a very stereotyped role as Dr. Clayton's driver. But what's up with his screen credit as 'Sleep 'n' Eat'? I'll have to research that one. I enjoyed him more as Mantan Moreland's sometimes cousin in the later Charlie Chan films.
I think the movie might have been more interesting with one of the name character actors of the day, if not Lugosi or Karloff, then at least a George Zucco or Lionel Atwill. But don't let that put you off, the movie does have it's share of creepy fun and keeps you guessing with moving pictures on the wall and the gorilla hand through the bed rails. Maybe not scary enough to give you nightmares, but campy enough for an hour's worth of entertainment. Tune in when you can.
The story revolves around the large inheritance left a young woman (Vera Reynolds) by her father, with the provision that if she dies, the money reverts to the dead man's brother Robert (Sheldon Lewis), crippled and confined to a wheel chair. The story line at least keeps you wondering whether Robert will eventually pop out of his chair to reveal himself as a suspect, as Ruth's fiancée Dr. Clayton (Rex Lease) surmises. Also dissatisfied with the outcome of the will are Emma Krug (Martha Mattox) and her son Hanns (Mischa Auer). Auer's performance borrows the early Bela Lugosi forced diction and Boris Karloff's Frankenstein walk. It struck me somewhat humorously that his appearance resembles a cross between a bemused Stan Laurel and a maniacal Christopher Walken. Close your eyes and picture it.
I didn't quite know what to make of the incessant drum gong throughout the film. It was as if an important new revelation was about to become known, until I eventually realized it was supposed to be thunder.
As if comic relief were needed for this movie, Willie Best is on hand in a very stereotyped role as Dr. Clayton's driver. But what's up with his screen credit as 'Sleep 'n' Eat'? I'll have to research that one. I enjoyed him more as Mantan Moreland's sometimes cousin in the later Charlie Chan films.
I think the movie might have been more interesting with one of the name character actors of the day, if not Lugosi or Karloff, then at least a George Zucco or Lionel Atwill. But don't let that put you off, the movie does have it's share of creepy fun and keeps you guessing with moving pictures on the wall and the gorilla hand through the bed rails. Maybe not scary enough to give you nightmares, but campy enough for an hour's worth of entertainment. Tune in when you can.