The Gorilla

The Ritz Brothers were a comedy act that achieved their greatest successes in the late thirties and early forties, but they never became as popular as many of the other comedy teams of the time. Each of the Marx Brothers developed a distinctive screen persona. The three Ritz Brothers, on the other hand, were virtually indistinguishable. Al, (1901-1965), Jimmy, (1904-1985), and Harry, (1907-1986), all looked and sounded just alike, although younger brother Harry was apparently the leader. 20th Century Fox studio head Darryl F. Zanuck had enough faith in the boys to put them in a series of movies. He bought the rights to Ralph Spence’s 1925 play “The Gorilla” as a vehicle for the Ritz Brothers, even though it had already been filmed twice by First National Pictures, (a silent version in 1927 and a talkie in 1930). Zanuck assigned the legendary Allan Dwan to direct, and insured a profit by only investing $175,000 in the project. The Ritz Brothers were disappointed in the script, and when their father passed away the boys left for the funeral with the implication that they would not return. The threat of a $150,000 breach-of-contract lawsuit quickly brought them back to the set.

This week’s movie was “The Gorilla” from 20th Century Fox in 1939, directed by Allen Dwan from a script by Rian James and Sid Silvers. Businessman “Walter Stevens,” (Lionel Atwill), owes $250,000 to an unseen criminal mastermind called “The Gorilla.” Stevens disappears as his niece “Norma Denby” and her fiancé “Jack Marsden,” (Anita Louise and Edward Norris), arrive at his mansion on a dark and stormy night. Stevens had hired a trio of private detectives to serve as bodyguards. “Garrity, Harrigan and Mulligan,” (Jimmy, Harry and Al Ritz, respectively), arrive too late to prevent the disappearance but immediately start an investigation. Also present at the manor are the sinister butler “Peters,” (Bela Lugosi), and the perpetually-panicked maid “Kitty,” (Patsy Kelly). To make matters worse the house is invaded by a real escaped gorilla named “Poe,” (Art Miles), and an unrelated mysterious “Stranger,” (Joseph Calleia).

The Ritz Brothers are an acquired taste, but I will admit that I find them amusing. This is not a particularly well-liked movie, but I found myself laughing quite often during this picture. It never measures up to the best of the Marx Brothers or Abbott and Costello, but it is watchable enough. Bela Lugosi and Patsy Kelly get in a few laughs also. This is a minor picture for sure, but it works well enough for me.

This was the last Ritz Brothers movie at 20th Century Fox. They were loaned out to Republic Pictures then landed at Universal. Their last movie was the well-received “Never a Dull Moment” in 1943.