The Gorilla

The Gorilla, released in 1974, is an American comedy film directed by Edward Montoro. The movie begins with a series of gruesome murders that have taken place throughout New York City, leaving the police baffled. It appears that a gorilla has escaped from a traveling circus, and its ferocity seems to be unmatched. Enter attorney Reginald P. Pimpole, a flamboyant and self-proclaimed ladies' man who is being threatened by the mysterious killer. Desperate for protection, Pimpole calls upon the services of Detective Garrity, Detective Harrigan, and the unorthodox Detective Mullivan. As the unlikely trio of bodyguards takes up their new role, they quickly realize that Pimpole's life is not as innocent as it seems. The attorney is involved in various shady dealings and has a rather unsavory reputation, which makes it difficult for the detectives to discern fact from fiction. Moreover, it becomes apparent that the gorilla, rather than being a ruthless killer, might be innocent. However, as the story unfolds, a real villain emerges in the form of the seductive young heiress, Barbara. Initially, Barbara seems like a helpless and innocent victim who needs the detectives' protection, but it soon becomes clear that she is, in fact, cunning and deceitful. She begins to manipulate Pimpole, using her charm and beauty to get him to do her bidding, while also putting the detectives in increasingly precarious situations. As the case becomes more twisted, the detectives find themselves caught up in a web of lies and deceit. Garrity, the straight-laced and experienced detective, finds himself at odds with Harrigan, who is less than enthusiastic about the bodyguard gig and would rather be out solving the real murder mystery. Meanwhile, Mullivan, the goofy and bumbling partner, provides a welcome comic relief as the detectives navigate the complex world of high society. In the midst of the chaos, Pimpole becomes increasingly entangled in Barbara's scheme, which ultimately involves him embezzling money from his own clients. Unbeknownst to the detectives, Barbara has ulterior motives for wanting the detectives involved in the case, and as they get closer to uncovering the truth, they realize that they have been manipulated into becoming pawns in her game. The film's climax features an all-out showdown between the detectives and Barbara, who reveals her true intentions. However, in a twist, it becomes clear that she has been using the gorilla's rampage as a diversion to cover her own nefarious activities, which include a large insurance scam and a plot to take over her father's company. In the end, the detectives outsmart Barbara and her cohorts, and the gorilla, far from being the brutal killer it was made out to be, is revealed to be an innocent victim who has been exploited by Barbara. As the movie concludes, we are left with a satirical take on the portrayal of gorillas in film and the class divisions that govern high society in New York City. The Gorilla is a fun, campy comedy that is full of slapstick humor, witty one-liners, and clever plot twists that keep the viewer on the edge of their seat until the very end.