When an escaped circus gorilla appears to have gone on a murderous rampage, a threatened attorney calls on the detective trio of Garrity, Harrigan and Mullivan to act as bodyguards. In short order, we discover that there is more to the attorney than meets the eye, and the ape may be innocent after all. When a pretty young heiress faces peril, it's up to our heroic trio to save the day.
A group of vaudeville performers, including the zany Ritz Brothers, are hired to perform at a remote country estate. Upon arrival, they discover that the owner has been murdered, and the estate is rumored to be haunted by a menacing gorilla. The comedic trio must then try to solve the murder while evading the mysterious ape and the killer.
The Gorilla received mixed to negative reviews upon its release, with critics often finding the blend of horror and comedy to be jarring and unsuccessful. While the physical comedy of The Ritz Brothers provided some amusement, the film's attempts at suspense and horror, particularly with Bela Lugosi's presence, were largely undermined by a weak script and direction. Audience reception was similarly lukewarm, with many finding the plot convoluted and the scares ineffective.
Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews for 'The Gorilla (1939)' is not readily available, making it difficult to summarize audience sentiment.
Although Bela Lugosi is prominently featured in the film's advertising and marketing, his role as the "mastermind" is relatively small and his screen time is limited, primarily serving to add a touch of horror star power.
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