DVD/Blu Ray review: The Ape (1940)

Perhaps because the enduring classics coming out on blu ray is somewhat expected, it seems fitting to celebrate when Kino Lorber releases a vintage B movie from poverty row. Such is the case with their beautiful 2K restoration of “The Ape” starring Boris Karloff.

“The Ape” is a significant film in Boris Karloff’s long, illustrious career, because it represents an offshoot from the bigger studios as he investigated poverty row. Karloff signed a six-film non-exclusive contract with the Monogram in 1938, and in rapid succession made five films as Chinese detective James Lee Wong. Karloff was miscast, and the sixth and final entry in the series featured the more appropriate Keye Luke in the Wong role. But Karloff’s ability to command any role he played resulted in the series enjoying some popularity. To fulfill his six film deal, Karloff starred in “The Ape,” which is his best film at the studio.

The story deals with mad scientist Bernard Adrian (Karloff) needing spinal fluid to save a young woman’s life. When a vicious gorilla escapes from a traveling sideshow, it finds its way to the scientist’s laboratory. The doctor kills it but the serum for the girl is destroyed in the struggle. Dr Adrian removes the skin from the ape and disguises himself as the gorilla in order to commit murders and obtain the necessary spinal fluid from his victims. The murders are, of course, blamed on the ape.

“The Ape” was produced and directed by Monogram’s action movie specialist William Nigh, with a screenplay co-written by Curt Siodmak, who would pen “The Wolf Man” for Universal the following year. Nigh is something of an auteur here, as it is his vision bringing the screenplay to life. Understanding the studio, and familiar with Karloff (he directed the Wong films), Nigh knew just how to most effectively use the actor’s striking appearance and ability to play a kindly man who is actually quite sinister. Nigh’s effective succession of shots and use of darkness and light are even more impressive with the sharp visual contrast offered by the Kino blu ray. The film breezes by in an effective, action-packed 62 minutes, easily drawing in the viewer with compelling drama and noisy action.

As his contract with Monogram was non-exclusive, Karloff also appeared in films for Universal, Warner Brothers, and Columbia during this time. He was quite a busy actor but always seemed strong and committed. In a movie like “The Ape,” we see his emotions run the gamut from relaxed to euphoric, in a fast-paced B-level entertainment that looks and sounds great.

This highly recommended blu ray is available at this link: The Ape