The Gorilla (1939) - Movie Mondays - Episode 6

Join Wes and Nick as they dive into the wild and wacky world of The Gorilla, a film that combines mystery, horror, and campy thrills in a delightfully absurd package. In this episode, we offer our in-depth thoughts and commentary on this offbeat ape-themed movie that’s packed with twists, turns, and a whole lot of gorilla business.

Plot:

The Gorilla centers on a sinister serial killer known only as "The Gorilla," who has set his sights on wealthy financier Walter Stevens. In a dramatic and chilling fashion, The Gorilla scales the exterior of Stevens' opulent home and leaves a menacing note pinned to the housemaid Kitty, announcing his deadly intentions. As Stevens attempts to manage an outstanding $250,000 loan, he devises a convoluted plan to repay it involving his niece, Norma Denby, and her fiancé, Jack Marsden.

Instead of calling the police, Stevens hires a trio of bumbling detectives to protect him, adding a layer of comedic ineptitude to the already chaotic scenario. The tension ramps up when a second note ominously states that The Gorilla will strike "At midnight," heightening the suspense. To make matters even more confusing, there is an actual gorilla named Poe caged in the garage, which is soon released to roam the property.

As midnight approaches, the suspense builds with eerie radio announcements counting down the minutes. When the lights go out, Stevens mysteriously vanishes, leaving behind a series of strange occurrences: a hairy arm emerges from a closet, an unconscious stranger falls out, and a well-dressed man sneaks around, searching for clues. The plot thickens with a new message declaring that "The Gorilla has done his work. Walter is dead. He's in the garage."

Kitty finds herself trapped in the gorilla cage, and Poe the gorilla grabs a fainted Norma, creating even more mayhem. Amid the chaos, a darkly dressed man claims to be a securities investigator but is actually revealed to be The Gorilla himself. In a surprising twist, Peters, the butler, turns the tables by confronting the killer. It turns out Stevens orchestrated the entire elaborate ruse to catch The Gorilla, who had been terrorizing his clients.

In this episode, Wes and Nick unpack every eccentric detail of this cinematic oddity, from the over-the-top performances and convoluted plot twists to the film’s unique blend of horror and comedy. Expect a lively discussion filled with humor and insightful commentary as we explore why The Gorilla stands out as a memorable, if delightfully bizarre, entry in the genre.

Grab your popcorn and join us for a thrilling and entertaining dive into the madness of The Gorilla—where the line between thriller and farce is hilariously blurred!

Support the show:

🎤 Go to listen to the audio podcast on your favorite platform: https://dumbcoolweirdpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share

🌐 To see more stuff, buy some merch, or support us go to https://www.retroradfilms.com/dumbcoolweirdpodcast

😀 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/retroradfilms/

📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retroradfilms/

🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/retroradfilms

🌴 Links: https://linktr.ee/retroradfilms