Monster and the Girl 1941 This Ape Scares Me
hello everyone this is TOMK the horrr film historian, vintage horror new here after one week and im ready to discuss another hidden gem burried deep for us fans to recal. the Paramount 1941 Monster & the Girl a gangster-horror film a little clasic in its own right daring in its approach. The death scenes by this gorilla with a human brain transplant is daring very scarey and it still packs a wallop. as a kid it scared me. the gorilla makeup is a bit too realistic grim looking the expressions on the man ape suit is bonechilling. check out his hate as he thinks f the gangsters who sent him up , wow what a scene. George Zucco one our favorites here is in fine form in an arly horrr romp but hes not the main culprit. the gangsters who set up a innocent decent guy are. what a fine cast. Ellen Drew, Gerald Mohr, Marc Lawrence a sicko gangster about to go crazy Joseph Calleia as a hitman supreme and Robert Paige a good looking hero turned skumball are all in very good supoort.Onslow Stevens a underated grand actor best known as Dr Edelman in House of Dracula is a crooked DA he too like the rest are bumped off as the gorilla sets out to even an old score. The music the gorills scene scenes are very unsettling daring in its day. nothing graphic but nothing youd see in other 1940s horror films. now we come to the the real star of the movie the head gangster the big villian the ultimate ringleader bad guy mr Big himself the great academy award winning actor (in 2 years) Paul Lukas as Mr W.S, Bruhl . He gets his his in the end and rightly so. Well horror fas out there let me tell you what i uncovered about this great actor who i have admiration for. He hated this film with a passion. He was forever downplaying it as one of his credits. he didnt have a single good word to say of it. He wrote a book i see and in it he said maing this film was a Piece of S.You can use your imagination on the word here. He wanted no part in it and yet look at his fine role. yes true his distain his dislike in the role reflects oddly enough his sinister character. take a good look as i once pointed out to a great guy from Whales who is now on iMDB look at the first scene of him in the court room. the caera pans on the gangsters sitting in silence looking uncomfortable. Lukas is scene here eyeing his co horts but the look of steeley hate contempt disgust is obvious. Its almost laughable but sad he thinks of this film as a comedown am enbarrassement, these great actors never reconizsed their own greatness as we fans did. He underestimated his fine talents but if you look at every scene hes in every blessed scene he has little to say. hes left speechless cupping his hands or buttoning his coat.i got a gut feeling the distinguished actor told the director "Give mw as little to say in this film because the sooner its done the better." I love this reat actor. true his character doesnt come to life til the final scene when Paige & him the last of the bad guys to die rough up poor Ellen Drew (sexy in this film) .Now watch a scene no true horror fan will ever forget as the gorilla the ape aka the great Charles Gemora with Philip Terrys brain,crashes thru the penthouse glass window and instantly mangles the two bad guys. Paul Im glad you got yours you skumball. I fully disagree with assessment of Paul Lukas's role. he makes a fine villian he has the look the eyes contempt of an underworld baddie but im disgusted he knocked this film the last 30 years of his life. if i had known him and i knew close to 1000 veteran performers, trust me id change his mind but quit telling him how much i and other fans enjoyed this minor classic. The gorilla here is unforgettable. you have that unsettling feeling of impending doom its a quick 6e min film but it races to a satisfactory conclusion. O salute this film, its a fine example of a handful of daring horror films that try to cross the line and be bold. Sorry paul Lukas you felt the way you did but this film will always be in your resume. as a historian i can say you and the rest including
Edward van Sloan as the warden hold your own. This is not your typical run of the mill horror romp. this film still scares me in certain scenes. Im so glad Psul Lukas gets his. my good friend from Whales knows too well how i feel on ungrateful actors who dont know what theyre talking about . to make a film period is a joy. even when bad you still rise above it and Paul Lukas did. i hope others stop by read this reply debate and lets see what others say. its out on dvd get it. Thanks til next time. TOMK ps sorry Paul. thats life