The Ape Man on AllMovie

This paltry Monogram quickie stars Bela Lugosi as standard-issue mad scientist Dr. Brewster, who performs his diabolical experiments in a secret underground laboratory. His latest creation is a spinal serum derived from the synaptic fluid of a gorilla (exact medical purpose unknown), which he begins testing on himself. To his dismay, he begins to develop ape-like traits and a decidedly hirsute appearance, prompting him to find some way of reversing the serum's effects. Not surprisingly, it turns out the necessary counter-agent is largely based on human spinal fluid, which Brewster procures from several unwilling donors with the help of his own simian assassin. Lugosi fans will undoubtedly find this uncomfortable viewing, as the noble Hungarian film star is humiliated at every turn. The closing punchline suggests the producers didn't have a particularly high opinion of their own project either. Not to be confused with the remarkably similar (and similarly awful) Monogram project The Ape, which had thoroughly embarrassed another horror star, Boris Karloff, three years earlier.