I’ve often been told that nobody starts out making a bad movie, and to that I point them to Roger Corman’s version of The FantasticFour. The 1950’s was a time where studios shot out movies that they knew weren’t great, but could draw an audience based on their genre. None were more popular than the monster movie, and some of these produced had people that would go on to become well known. Bride of the Gorilla is one such movie.
Directed by monster movie legend Curt Siodmak (The man wrote the screenplay for the original TheWolfman), it starred Raymond Burr and Lon Chaney Jr. and you would think this would be a true masterpiece; well you’d be very wrong. The acting is over-the-top, but I think that’s part of these type of movie’s ridiculous charm. Most of the actors in this movie chew the scene like an all-you-can eat buffet, and it’s horribly marvelous. For the time, the special effects are pretty much on-par with other B-movies being made, which is to say not the best, but you get what they’re trying to convey. While it’s not horror by today’s standards, but in 1951 I’m certain it scared a few people.
I’m certain you’re wondering what the heck this movie is about. Set deep in the jungle of an unknown South American country lives wealthy, older Plantation owner Klass Van Gelder (Played by British actor Paul Cavanaugh). As with most old guys with too much money, Klass gets himself a pretty trophy wife named Dina (Played by Barbara Payton) who’s caught the eye of several of the plantation’s work force.
One of these workers is plantation manager Barney Chavez (portrayed by Raymond Burr), a ladies man who cares little for the women he loves or their marital obligations. Barney starts an affair with Dina and another plantation worker named Larina (Played by Carol Varga ). Klass hears the rumors of Barney’s philandering and fires, then punches him.
Barney reacts the way any rational person would and kills his employer with the help of a poisonous snake, and tells Larina that they are through. Klass’s informant and Larina’s mother Al-Long (Portrayed by Gisela Werbisek ) witnesses the foul deed but keeps her mouth shut.
Police Commissioner Taro (Played by Lon Chaney Jr.) is brought in to investigate, but concludes that the death was caused by snakebite. Taro is certain that Barney has murdered his former employer but confides in a local doctor that he can’t yet prove it.
Shortly thereafter Barney asks Dina to marry him and she accepts. Angered at her master’s death and for her daughter’s humiliation, Al-Long decided to take matters into her own hand, and with the help of a plant, she decides to enact her revenge. Al-Long concocts a potion that seemingly turns Barney into a wild ape-man, who prefers the company of the jungle to his new bride. The ending is not one that I will spoil for you, but it’s certainly predictable.
Should you watch this movie?
Absolutely, if you love a good B-movie. It’s a pretty good tale of what immoral ambition can do to a person. While it’s considered a bad movie, it has some decent character driven scenes, and some fun bad dialogue. I don’t think it’s the best bad B-movie of all time, but it’s up there.
RATING: Four and a half thumbs down out of five, bad enough to watch.
The best part of this? You don’t have to pay a dime to watch it thanks to the good folks at Youtube.
https://youtu.be/CjbktAT7Fus
I hope you watch it and enjoy bad cinema for a change. Till next time.