Gorilla at Large

source: Gorilla at Large

Moviecut—Gorilla at Large

Gorilla at Large

This film works out to be a mystery film wrapped around a fascination of Anne Bancroft getting pawed by a gorilla. It was made for the 3D glasses that came with it in the same time as Hondo (John Wayne) and House of Wax (Vincent Price). I mention these because these 3 films were part of a 3D film revival in the late 1980's on television which spurred some new 3D productions after. This film is Raymond Burr's second film with a gorilla. I am not sure why he would be in 2 of them & I have not seen the other one. Burr in this one is the obvious suspect which is why he turns out not to be the guilty party. He really does not get a lot of script to work with. The settings and era of the 1950's nostalgia is here but the film itself pretty much fits a normal who done it formula of the period. Burr's next film would be Rear Window which has much more to recommend it than this one.

This is one of the best B movie thrillers of the 1950's. Apart from the hokie gorilla costume (there are places where you can see the fingers bend backward), it's a fun movie and worth watching. A great Halloween double feature with "The Deadly Mantis." However, Cameron Mitchell is totally unbelievable as a young law student at age 34! A mere year younger than amusement park owner Raymond Burr. A delight for fans of Anne Bancroft to see her as a bit of posh tottie! Lee J. Cobb is great as the crabby police detective. Lee Marvin is a riot as the bumbling cop. Kudos to whomever played the gorilla, Goliath! Great job! If you like Raymond Burr as Perry Mason, this film is a must see. Lots of similarities in his delivery in this and in Perry Mason. One of my all-time favorite "corny but great" movies. Enjoy!

This movie was an annual tradition for many years in Boston, and I remember, as a kid, getting my 3-D glasses at the supermarket weeks in advance. "Gorilla at Large" is, in my humble opinion, a cult classic in every way. SEE THIS MOVIE!!! If you can get the 3-D version, definitely do that!

One of the "gems" from Anne's first stab at Hollywood. Drive in fodder would be completely forgotten if not for its cast. Anne Bancroft, looking sensational in Technicolor, is as good as the script allows-meaning she manages to keep a straight face during the ridiculous contrivances that the movie presents. Raymond Burr and Lee J. Cobb also put in professional performances, although Lee must have been longing for the days of the Group Theatre during production of this lulu. It's fun to see Lee Marvin just starting out as a clumsy cop. The whole thing is nonsensical but harmless unless you count the mystifying decision to make the usually brunette Cameron Mitchell a bleached blond, it does him no favors.

"Gorilla At Large" is a very good example of a 1950's 3-D film. If you only see it in 2-D, you are literally seeing only half the picture. Why do you think the bars are in the foreground, the gorilla jumps at the screen, the girl is trapped in a house of mirrors, or the rockets are shot at the gorilla? Because it is supposed to be seen in 3-D. That's why. Having said that, 23 year old Anne Bancroft gives an interesting sex-pot performance. She spends most of the time either in her trapeze costume or in lingerie. Raymond Burr, known as a bad guy at this time, gives a very offbeat performance. And a very young Lee Marvin is extremely funny as a cop who doesn't have a clue. The 1950's saw a great many 3-D films that are no longer available in that format. It is really too bad we can't see "Gorilla At Large", "House Of Wax" and "Dial M For Murder" the way they were meant to be seen.

I had heard about "Gorilla at Large" for years, but avoided watching it because of the campy title and brief clips I had seen, usually of the gorilla swinging on a vine. Recently, this movie was broadcast on Fox Movie Channel. On a whim, I recorded it with my PVR and watched it the next day. To my surprise, I found "Gorilla at Large" to be an entertaining movie. It's not a monster film at all, or even a jungle themed movie. Rather, it's a crime/detective story that keeps you guessing. "Gorilla" has a very good cast and interesting story. A young Lee Marvin has an amusing role as a policeman. The sexy Anne Bancroft is the main star....although some might claim it is the gorilla.