The Ape Man

The Ape Man
Directed by	William Beaudine
Written by	Barney A. Sarecky
Based on	story "They Creep in the Dark" by Karl Brown
Produced by	Jack Dietz Sam Katzman associate Barney Sarecky
Starring	Bela Lugosi Louise Currie
Cinematography	Mack Stengler
Edited by	Carl Pierson
Music by	Edward J. Kay
Production company	Banner Pictures Corporation
Distributed by	Monogram Pictures Corporation
Release date	March 5, 1943 (1943-03-05)
Running time	69 mins
Country	United States
Language	English

Louise Currie and Béla Lugosi.

Colorized lobby card showing Béla Lugosi in full make-up.

The Ape Man is a 1943 American science-fiction horror film directed by William Beaudine. It stars Bela Lugosi as a doctor who, as a result of scientific experiments, transforms into a part-human/part-ape hybrid.

An in-title-only sequel, Return of the Ape Man, followed in 1944. It also starred Lugosi, along with John Carradine and George Zucco.

Plot[]

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 ape go on a killing spree (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 ape. The ape breaks Brewster's back, killing him. Jeff and Billie leave together, to be met by the odd character who has so inexplicably appeared throughout the film. He is sitting in Jeff's car. When Jeff finally asks who he is, the man replies "Me? I'm the author of the story – screwy idea, wasn't it?" He then rolls up the car window. "THE END" appears on the glass.

Cast[]

Production[]

The film was originally known as The Gorilla Strikes.^[1]

Filming began 18 December 1942 and took 15 days. Louise Currie replaced Amelita Ward.^[2]

Reception[]

The Los Angeles Times said "chill chasers will get a tremendous thrill out of the picture, while the more detached will obtain laughs out of the slyly satirical moments."^[3]

References[]

• Wingrove, David. Science Fiction Film Source Book (Longman Group Limited, 1985)
• Halliwell, Leslie. Halliwell's Film & Video Guide 2002 (HarperCollinsEntertainment, 2002), edited by John Walker

External links[]

• The Ape Man at IMDb
• The Ape Man at the American Film Institute Catalog
• The Ape Man at AllMovie
• The Ape Man is available for free download at the Internet Archive