The Gorilla (1939)

Bela Lugosi fans and Ritz Brothers fans -- two groups that do not necessarily intersect -- are likely to be the only ones who really get much out of The Gorilla, a not very successful remake of the "old dark house" chestnut refitted to suit the "comic talents" of the sibling team. Lugosi is indeed a treat, playing a supporting role that gives him ample opportunity to both spoof and play straight his sinister persona. Indeed, the actor seems to be having a fine time playing this undemanding part and gives it much more than it deserves. The Ritz Brothers are decidedly a more acquired taste, perhaps best appreciated by those who find the antics of The Three Stooges to be of too high an order of wit. Most modern audiences simply stare in puzzlement at the Ritzes, but it also must be said that for some there is a strange appeal to them -- almost as if the failure of so many of their efforts at comedy produces a meta-comic result. If you fall in the latter camp, Gorilla is definitely your cup of tea. There's also a solid performance from Lionel Atwill and some shameless scenery chewing from Patsy Kelly, which still can't distract from the baldness of some of the plot machinations or from the fact that many of the comic moments are shoehorned in with little rhyme or reason. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide