The Clue of the Missing Ape
The Clue of the Missing Ape

Movie spotlight

The Clue of the Missing Ape

1953
Movie
58 min
English

Story of how two youngsters round up crooks planning to blow up the British fleet off Gibraltar.

Insights

IMDb5.8/10
Director: W. Lee WilderGenres: Mystery, Film Noir

Plot Summary

A wealthy anthropologist returns from the jungle with a valuable artifact and a mysterious ape. When the ape escapes and a murder occurs, a detective must unravel a web of deceit and greed. The investigation leads him through a series of dangerous encounters and reveals hidden motives among the victim's associates. He must find the ape and the killer before becoming the next victim.

Critical Reception

The Clue of the Missing Ape is a B-movie mystery that garnered little attention upon its release and is largely forgotten today. It is generally considered a minor entry in the film noir genre, often criticized for its predictable plot and low production values. However, some B-movie enthusiasts appreciate its peculiar charm and earnest, if unpolished, execution.

What Reviewers Say

  • A standard, somewhat uninspired mystery with a convoluted plot.

  • Features a few moments of typical film noir atmosphere but lacks a compelling narrative.

  • The presence of the ape adds a quirky element but doesn't elevate the film significantly.

Google audience: Audience reviews for this film are scarce due to its obscurity. Those that exist often describe it as a forgettable, low-budget mystery that might appeal to die-hard fans of the genre or era.

Fun Fact

The film was directed by W. Lee Wilder, older brother of director Billy Wilder, though their styles were vastly different, with W. Lee often helming lower-budget genre pictures.

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