Is The Gorilla Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1939)

📖 The Core Premise

The Gorilla stands as a 1939 entry that attempts to leave its mark on the Comedy, Mystery, Horror landscape. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "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."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. In The Gorilla, even the presence of Jimmy Ritz struggles to save a script that feels disjointed. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Comedy. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is The Gorilla worth your time? If you appreciate Comedy, Mystery, Horror films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, The Gorilla misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 68 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.