Performance & Direction: The Gorilla Review
Last updated: March 6, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Gorilla (1939) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 4.6/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Gorilla features a noteworthy lineup led by Jimmy Ritz . Supported by the likes of Harry Ritz and Al Ritz , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: The Gorilla
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1939, The Gorilla is a Comedy, Mystery, Horror film directed by Allan Dwan. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Jimmy Ritz.
Ending Explained: The Gorilla
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Allan Dwan, The Gorilla attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes involving Jimmy Ritz, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Gorilla reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Gorilla?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Comedy films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Top Cast: The Gorilla
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Where to Watch The Gorilla Online?
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CultpixThe Gorilla Parents Guide & Age Rating
1939 AdvisoryWondering about The Gorilla age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Gorilla is 68 minutes (1h 8m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 4.6/10, and global performance metrics, The Gorilla is classified as a AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1939 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Gorilla worth watching?
The Gorilla is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 4.6/10 and stands as a AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Gorilla parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Gorilla identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Gorilla?
The total duration of The Gorilla is 68 minutes, which is approximately 1h 8m long.
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How The Gorilla Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Gorilla
Lionel Atwill is the wealthy "Walter Stephens" whose life has been threatened by the sinister "Gorilla". To thwart this, he engages the services of the "Defective Detectives" (Jimmy, Harry & Al Ritz) and what ensues is a slapstick horror movie with a man in a gorilla suit (or, could it be an actual ape?) and some pretty corny set piece comedy sketches strung together around Atwill and a rather under-used Bela Lugosi ("Peters"). Much of the plot is just gibberish, but the detectives have a good time, and that brings a limited amount of charm as they haplessly go about their deducing - and it isn't horrible to watch, but it's pretty cringe-making at times and 80 years after it was made is nigh on unwatchable for anything other than a kindly nod to pre-war comic cinema.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
