“The Monster Walks” (1932) / Z-View

The Monster Walks (1932)

Director: Frank R. Strayer

Screenplay: Robert Ellis

Stars: Mischa Auer, Rex Lease, Vera Reynolds and Willie Best.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Ruth Earlton (Reynolds) is called back to her childhood home.  Her father has died and the will is going to read.  Ruth and her fiancé, Ted (Lease) arrive on a dark, stormy night.  Ted is introduced to Ruth’s wheelchair-bound Uncle, Mrs. Krug, the strange housekeeper, and her even stranger adult son Hanns.  Oh, and let’s not forget the large ape caged in the basement.

Everyone learns that the estate has been left to Ruth… as long as she is alive.  If she dies it goes to her uncle. Will Ruth make it through the night?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Although posters for The Monster Walks features a huge ape, the movie uses a chimpanzee.

The Monster Walks has the right ingredients (creepy house with secret passageways, dark and stormy night, strange characters, a will leaving the money to one family member as long as they live, an ape) but the end result isn’t as good as could be expected.

The Monster Walks (1932) rates 2 of 5 stars.