Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #112918 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-02-18
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Black & White, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 70 minutes

Customer Reviews

"The heart is deceitful..., and desperately wicked..."
Infidelity and murder on a jungle plantation lead to supernatural consequences. Veteran writer/director Curt Siodmak weaves a magic spell, and transforms a modest film into good entertainment. In addition, a strong cast is an asset. Raymond Burr suffers jungle hocus-pocus courtesy of a female shaman. His simian urges appear as the brooding night settles in. The initial metamorphosis has a dreamlike quality that transcends typical B movie standards. Lon Chaney, Jr. is the perceptive police commissioner that respects the native superstitions, and believes that Burr is a murderer. For a change, Lon is not the hirsute beast stalking the darkness. Barbara Payton is Burr's treacherously beautiful bride. Unaware of his gorilla alter ego, she is puzzled why he would rather swing through the trees at night instead of swinging with her. Familiar faces in the supporting cast include Tom Conway and Woody Strode. The production values are meager and rely on jungle movie stock-footage. Overall, the movie has a low budget look. Regardless, this is a minor gem. It is better than the sensational title might suggest. Good fare for genre fans. ;-)

A must-see for some, a maybe for others
For a certain kind of person, and I'm one, this is a film you have to see. First there's the lurid title. Second, Lon Chaney Jr. is in it, and for many fans of classic horror films that makes this an automatic must-see. Third, Curt Siodmak is writer and director, and this guy commands respect: after all, he wrote The Wolf Man, Donovan's Brain, Earth vs. the Flying Saucers, I Walked With a Zombie, The Beast With Five Fingers...

Unfortunately, though, this movie is pretty pedestrian. It is rather slow-paced, and never fully takes off. Nor is it remotely scary, suspenseful, gory, or lurid. And Lon Chaney's dull role as a native policeman is disappointing.

Understanding that, this movie still has strengths. Tom Conway, brother of the great George Saunders, is very good in his supporting role; I think he really carries the movie. He's onscreen a lot, and always good. Raymond Burr truly gives his best. Barbara Payton is beautiful and sincere. In general, the supporting cast is good-heartedly earnest. And the film does have its moments - some evocative, moody shots and scenes, some strangeness, some surrealistic charm. It is fun, and doesn't drag. It's not painful; it's just ultimately too familiar, too ordinary.

Bottom line: If you love this kind of old, oddball, no-budget horror, there are a lot of titles you should see first. But eventually you will work your way to Bride of the Gorilla, and there is a good chance you will enjoy the 66 minutes and regard it with affection.

Trivia PS: I love these desperately deceptive taglines from the original garish ads (not on this dvd, unfortunately), which have absolutely nothing to do with the film! Indeed, selling a ticket with such promises was downright larcenous. But that's all part of the sideshow-style fun of the world of b-movies and exploitation films, Enjoy.

"Her marriage vows were more than fulfilled!"
"Her clothes torn away in screaming terror!"
"A blonde beauty and a savage beast... ALONE IN THE JUNGLE!"

Another good flick by the great Kurt Siodmak!!
This was actually a pretty enjoyable B movie. Lon Chaney is a bit out of place here and not given much to do. Raymond Burr gives a great over the top chauvenistic style performance delivering some super quotable lines. It sports a very nice script and great job on direction by Kurt Siodmak. I always felt he was among the best of the B movie directors of the 50's who always paid great attention to the smaller details that add to the realistic telling of absurd stories. Check out his film Magnetic Monster with Richard Carlson if you can find it. I wish they would have given Kurt larger budgets/projects throughout the 50's.

The Alpha DVD is relatively cheap, has great sound and a nice crisp clear transfer. Also includes the original trailer. Recommended for fans of 50's B grade fun.