Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla is a 1952 comedy film directed by William Beaudine and starring horror veteran Bela Lugosi and nightclub comedians Duke Mitchell and Sammy Petrillo in roles approximating Martin and Lewis.
Plot
On their way to perform in Guam, nightclub performers Duke Mitchell and Sammy Petrillo find themselves stranded on a seemingly treacherous island, known by the natives as "Kola Kola". The natives are quite friendly, especially Nona, the tribal chief's daughter, who tries to help the two get off the island. Though Paradise has been found, for the time being, the duo soon discovers that a mad scientist named Dr. Zabor (Bela Lugosi), lives on the other side of the island. Seeing a chance to get help, the two visit the strange doctor. Tension mounts as Duke falls in love with Nona. Seeing Duke as a threat, a jealous Dr. Zabor plans to literally make a monkey out of Duke, for he too loves Nona. Sammy tries to help his pal, with unexpected results.
Production
The film was originally to have been titled White Woman of the Lost Jungle. The Gorilla title was thought up by Broder's ten year old son. Producer Herman Cohen decided it would be foolish not to exploit Bela Lugosi's appearance in the film.[1]
Sammy Petrillo had established something of a career imitating Jerry Lewis. Petrillo and Duke Mitchell - who took on the Dean Martin role - played in various clubs in Las Vegas. Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla was to be the first in a series of films starring Mitchell & Petrillo, but this was to be their only film outing. Once Jerry Lewis heard about the film he threatened legal action against the producer and Petrillo for copying his act so closely. Petrillo continued to perform in night clubs through the years, keeping his Jerry Lewis impersonation as one part of his act.
Cast
Mitchell and Petrillo in
Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla
See also
References
External links
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