THE APE MAN (1943) Bela Lugosi, Louise Currie & Wallace Ford | Sci-Fi | B&W| Golden Age Film

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The Ape Man is a 1943 American horror film directed by William Beaudine.[3] The film is based on "They Creep in the Dark" by Karl Brown, which was published in The Saturday Evening Post. It stars Bela Lugosi as Dr. James Brewster who is aided by his colleague Dr. Randall (Henry Hall). The doctor manages to transform himself into a ape man hybrid and desperately seeks a cure. Brewster believes that only the injection of human spinal fluid will prove effective as a cure. As Randall refuses to help him, Brewster and his captive gorilla seek involuntary donors.

The film was announced in November 1942, began shooting in December and was released in March by Monogram Pictures Corp. The film received negative reviews from Variety, The Hollywood Reporter and The Daily News. An in-name-only sequel, Return of the Ape Man, was released in 1944.

Synopsis

Dr. James Brewster and his colleague Dr. Randall are involved in a series of scientific experiments which have caused Brewster to transform into an ape-man. In an attempt to obtain a cure, Brewster must inject himself with recently drawn human spinal fluid. Reporter Jeff Carter and photographer Billie Mason are on assignment initially suggested by an odd man investigating the recent disappearance of Dr. Brewster.

Before interviewing Brewster's sister Agatha, a "ghost-hunter", they hear strange sounds outside the house. After Dr. Randall's butler is murdered and the only clue is a fistful of ape-like hair, Carter deduces that the ghostly sounds they heard may well have been from an ape. Carter returns to investigate further. Dr. Randall informs Agatha that he will not help her brother again – and will go to the police if necessary. Needing more of the fluid as its effects are only temporary, Brewster and his gorilla go on a killing spree as the odd character appears yet again – saving one of the potential victims.

Brewster returns to Dr. Randall demanding he inject the fluid. When Randall breaks the precious vial on the doctor's floor, the enraged Brewster strangles him. Carter and Mason return to Brewster's home separately. While cautiously investigating, Billie knocks Jeff unconscious. Dr. Brewster then carries the photographer off to his basement lab – to again withdraw more spinal fluid. Carter regains consciousness and while he and the police attempt to break into the secret basement entrance, Brewster is attacked by the gorilla. The gorilla breaks Brewster's back, killing him. As Billie is let out of the secret room, the gorilla that followed her is shot by the police. Agatha enters the secret room and finds Brewster dead.

Jeff and Billie leave together and are met by the odd character who is sitting in Jeff's car. When Jeff finally asks who he is, the man replies "Me? I'm the author of the story!" He then breaks the fourth wall by quoting "Screwy idea, wasn't it?" The author then rolls up the car window as the words "THE END" appears on the glass.

Cast & Crew

Bela Lugosi as Dr. James Brewster
Louise Currie as Billie Mason
Wallace Ford as Jeff Carter
Henry Hall as Dr. George Randall
Minerva Urecal as Agatha Brewster
Emil Van Horn as the Ape
J. Farrell MacDonald as the Police Captain
Wheeler Oakman as Brady
Ralph Littlefield as Zippo
Jack Mulhall as a Reporter
Sunshine Sammy Morrison as a Copy Boy

Directed by: William Beaudine
Screenplay by: Barney Sarecky
Based on: They Creep in the Dark by Karl Brown
Produced by:
Sam Katzman
Jack Dietz
Cinematography: Mack Stengler
Edited by: Carl Pierson
Production Company: Banner Productions
Distributed by: Monogram Pictures Corp.
Release Date: March 19, 1943
Country: United States
Language: English