The Gorilla Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: April 10, 2026
Movie Overview: The Gorilla
| Movie | The Gorilla |
| Release Year | 1939 |
| Director | Allan Dwan |
| Genre | Comedy / Mystery / Horror |
| Runtime | 68 minutes |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Gorilla (1939) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 4.7/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in The Gorilla are led by Jimmy Ritz . The supporting cast, including Harry Ritz and Al Ritz , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
While The Gorilla does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy Comedy films.
- Interesting concept or premise
- Some entertaining scenes
- Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Gorilla has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Comedy fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Gorilla
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1939, The Gorilla is a Comedy, Mystery, Horror film directed by Allan Dwan. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Jimmy Ritz.
Ending Explained: The Gorilla
The Gorilla Ending Explained: Directed by Allan Dwan, The Gorilla attempts to bring together the film’s narrative threads. The ending highlights the core comedy themes developed throughout the film.
The final twist encourages viewers to reconsider earlier moments in the story, particularly in scenes involving Jimmy Ritz. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The story resolves its primary conflict while leaving room for interpretation.
- Character Development: Character motivations become clearer by the final scenes.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the comedy themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of The Gorilla reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Who Should Watch The Gorilla?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Comedy films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Top Cast: The Gorilla
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The Gorilla Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
CultpixThe Gorilla Parents Guide & Age Rating
1939 AdvisoryWondering about The Gorilla age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Gorilla is 68 minutes (1h 8m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 4.7/10, and global performance metrics, The Gorilla is classified as a AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1939 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Gorilla worth watching?
The Gorilla is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 4.7/10 and stands as a AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Gorilla parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Gorilla identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Gorilla?
The total duration of The Gorilla is 68 minutes, which is approximately 1h 8m long.
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How The Gorilla Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Gorilla
Lionel Atwill is the wealthy "Walter Stephens" whose life has been threatened by the sinister "Gorilla". To thwart this, he engages the services of the "Defective Detectives" (Jimmy, Harry & Al Ritz) and what ensues is a slapstick horror movie with a man in a gorilla suit (or, could it be an actual ape?) and some pretty corny set piece comedy sketches strung together around Atwill and a rather under-used Bela Lugosi ("Peters"). Much of the plot is just gibberish, but the detectives have a good time, and that brings a limited amount of charm as they haplessly go about their deducing - and it isn't horrible to watch, but it's pretty cringe-making at times and 80 years after it was made is nigh on unwatchable for anything other than a kindly nod to pre-war comic cinema.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
