The Monster Walks (1932)

People in an old dark house on a stormy night are menaced by a killer ape.

Director:

Frank R. Strayer (as Frank Strayer)

Writers:

Robert Ellis (story), Robert Ellis (adaptation)

Stars:

Rex Lease, Vera Reynolds, Sheldon Lewis

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Rex Lease	...	Dr. Ted Clayton
Vera Reynolds	...	Ruth Earlton
Sheldon Lewis	...	Robert Earlton
Mischa Auer	...	Hanns Krug
Martha Mattox	...	Mrs. Emma 'Tanty' Krug
Sidney Bracey	...	Herbert Wilkes (as Sidney Bracy)
Willie Best	...	Exodus (as Sleep n' Eat)

Storyline

A doctor, who keeps an ape for medical studies, dies and his daughter inherits his estate. Her uncle, a paralytic, working through his natural son by the housekeeper, plans her death, and the ape may or may not be involved. However, the plan does have a problem or two in its execution.

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Plot Keywords:

darwinism | reference to charles darwin | ape | chimpanzee | black stereotype | 

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Genres:

Horror | Mystery

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 February 1932 (USA)

Also Known As:

El monstruo asesino

Filming Locations:

International Film Studios - 1339 Gordon Street, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ralph M. Like Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

63 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was originally refused a UK cinema certificate in 1932, and released uncut and PG rated in 2010.

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Goofs

When Ted Clayton breaks through the cellar door, the flimsy wall shakes too.

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Quotes

Robert Earlton: Ruth is not the type of hysterical woman that's given to nightmares.

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Connections

Referenced in Saturday Night Live: Madeline Kahn/Taj Mahal (1977)

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Soundtracks

Lullaby
(uncredited)
Written by Johannes Brahms
Played on the violin as part of the plot

User Reviews

Hicksville community theatre presents...

It was a dark and stormy night with constant cannon fire in the distance, with the wind scratching a wax record somewhere out of scene. OK the quality of the picture is not Oscar material but hey, this was 1932. At least now I know where H&B got all the gags for the Scooby Doo cartoons. As mentioned in most of the other comments this is a typical Haunted House movie, with only one or two real surprises. There is even the maniac monkey thrown in as with countless other "horror" movies of the era. Were chimps really that scary back then???? The acting is worthy of any community playhouse, I kept looking for the script cards Hanns was reading off of. And I was shocked to learn Hanns actually had musical talent - kinda... sorta... OK not really. But I did manage to make it through this movie in one setting without going comatose, but I did find myself quoting Vera at least once or twice during the movie, "Oh Ted, take me away!".