The Ape Man
1943
Action / Drama / Horror / Sci-Fi / Thriller

The Ape Man
1943
Action / Drama / Horror / Sci-Fi / Thriller
Plot summary
A scientist is turned into an ape man.
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.BLUMovie Reviews
Lugosi Grows a Beard
Thankless part for a declining star.
Yet another in the long list of Lugosi's B-movies as his career was in decline, this is of interest only to those who wish to follow that downward trajectory. Here he plays a stricken scientist, whose experiments have rendered him with ape-like instincts and a mass of facial hair. It's a thankless part that leaves Lugosi stumbling around for the most part in a simian stoop, leaving the best parts of the story to his supporting cast. But there's neither suspense nor horror enough to cover up the limits of the cast and the budget of the production. Ford and Currie, as the journo duo offering light relief, seem to have escaped from a different movie, and Urecal's wide-eyed posturing is ham of the highest order. Pity the unfortunate Van Horn, who spends his time in an unconvincing gorilla suit throughout. Oddly, there's an obscure, self-referential ending, which serves little or no purpose as far as I can see, and which points up the apparent irregularity of the comedy/horror subject matter.
A short waste of time, but a waste of time nonetheless.