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The Ape

  • 19401940
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 2m
IMDb RATING
4.6/10
1.8K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Boris Karloff, Ray Corrigan, Gene O'Donnell, and Maris Wrixon in The Ape (1940)
  • Horror
Dr. Bernard Adrian is a kindly mad scientist who seeks to cure a young woman's polio. He needs spinal fluid from a human to complete the formula for his experimental serum.Dr. Bernard Adrian is a kindly mad scientist who seeks to cure a young woman's polio. He needs spinal fluid from a human to complete the formula for his experimental serum.Dr. Bernard Adrian is a kindly mad scientist who seeks to cure a young woman's polio. He needs spinal fluid from a human to complete the formula for his experimental serum.
IMDb RATING
4.6/10
1.8K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • William Nigh
  • Writers
    • Adam Shirk(suggested from the play: "The Ape")
    • Curt Siodmak(adaptation)
    • Richard Carroll(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Boris Karloff
    • Maris Wrixon
    • Gene O'Donnell
Top credits
  • Director
    • William Nigh
  • Writers
    • Adam Shirk(suggested from the play: "The Ape")
    • Curt Siodmak(adaptation)
    • Richard Carroll(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Boris Karloff
    • Maris Wrixon
    • Gene O'Donnell
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 59User reviews
    • 46Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos84

    Boris Karloff, Gene O'Donnell, and Maris Wrixon in The Ape (1940)
    Boris Karloff and Maris Wrixon in The Ape (1940)
    The Ape (1940)
    Buddy Swan in The Ape (1940)
    Stan Jolley and Buddy Swan in The Ape (1940)
    The Ape (1940)
    Boris Karloff in The Ape (1940)
    Boris Karloff and Gertrude Hoffman in The Ape (1940)
    Pauline Drake, Philo McCullough, and Buddy Swan in The Ape (1940)
    Harry C. Bradley, Philo McCullough, and Minerva Urecal in The Ape (1940)
    Mary Field, Stan Jolley, and Buddy Swan in The Ape (1940)
    Boris Karloff and Harry C. Bradley in The Ape (1940)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Boris Karloff
    Boris Karloff
    • Dr. Bernard Adrianas Dr. Bernard Adrian
    Maris Wrixon
    Maris Wrixon
    • Miss Frances Cliffordas Miss Frances Clifford
    Gene O'Donnell
    • Danny Fosteras Danny Foster
    Dorothy Vaughan
    Dorothy Vaughan
    • Mother Cliffordas Mother Clifford
    Gertrude Hoffman
    Gertrude Hoffman
    • Jane - Adrian's Housekeeperas Jane - Adrian's Housekeeper
    • (as Gertrude W. Hoffman)
    Henry Hall
    Henry Hall
    • Sheriff Jeff Hallidayas Sheriff Jeff Halliday
    Selmer Jackson
    Selmer Jackson
    • Dr. McNultyas Dr. McNulty
    Jessie Arnold
    Jessie Arnold
    • Mrs. Brillas Mrs. Brill
    • (uncredited)
    Billy Bletcher
    Billy Bletcher
    • Short Mustached Posse Manas Short Mustached Posse Man
    • (uncredited)
    Harry C. Bradley
    Harry C. Bradley
    • Quinnas Quinn
    • (uncredited)
    George Cleveland
    George Cleveland
    • Mr. Howleyas Mr. Howley
    • (uncredited)
    Ray Corrigan
    Ray Corrigan
    • Nabu the Gorillaas Nabu the Gorilla
    • (uncredited)
    Pauline Drake
    • Young Girlas Young Girl
    • (uncredited)
    Mary Field
    Mary Field
    • Mrs. Masonas Mrs. Mason
    • (uncredited)
    Gibson Gowland
    Gibson Gowland
    • Posse Memberas Posse Member
    • (uncredited)
    Julia Griffith
    • Townswomanas Townswoman
    • (uncredited)
    I. Stanford Jolley
    I. Stanford Jolley
    • Ape Traineras Ape Trainer
    • (uncredited)
    Stan Jolley
    Stan Jolley
    • Boy in Soda Shopas Boy in Soda Shop
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • William Nigh
    • Writers
      • Adam Shirk(suggested from the play: "The Ape")
      • Curt Siodmak(adaptation) (screenplay)
      • Richard Carroll(screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The final film in Boris Karloff's six-picture contract with Monogram. Filming began 7/29/40.
    • Goofs
      When the doctor is showing off his 'cured' guinea pigs, one of the poor critters falls off the table, at the end of the shot.
    • Quotes

      Danny Foster: I don't like things I can't understand.

    • Connections
      Edited from Under the Big Top (1938)
    • Soundtracks
      Sobre las Olas (Over the Waves)
      (1887) (uncredited)

      Written by Juventino Rosas

      Played at the circus for the trapeze act

      Reprised as background music on the circus grounds

    User reviews59

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    Workmanlike B movie
    It could be argued that the 1940's were something of a golden age for the B movie in America -at least in quantity terms - and several studios arose to make a great many cheap pictures for double bills and the sleazier end of the market . Monogram pictures were one such company and they strove with Universal for the horror end of the spectrum although with fewer resources . Like other such pictures The Ape gives a leading role to a horror icon , Boris Karloff ,while featuring unknowns, and untalented ones into the bargain, for the supporting parts . He plays Doctor Adrian who is regarded with suspicion by the small town locals but is revered by a young woman ,the wheelchair bound Frances Clifford whose paralysis he is striving to cure .His favoured method is by injection of spinal fluid but he is running out of the stuff till fate takes a hand .A giant ape escapes from the visiting circus ;unknown to the townsfolk he is shot .Adrian skins the dead beast and goes out at night dressed in the skin ,killing to obtain victims so he can continue the treatment . Karloff is his usual excellent self ,this time playing the scientist rather than a creation of a scientist ,and the script is quite sharp in its depiction of small town narrow mindedness .The ape suit is better than usual in this type of picture with this type of budget and this is a decent little horror number
    helpful•25
    2
    • lorenellroy
    • Apr 16, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 30, 1940 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Apmänniskan
    • Filming locations
      • Santa Clarita, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Monogram Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 2 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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    Boris Karloff, Ray Corrigan, Gene O'Donnell, and Maris Wrixon in The Ape (1940)
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