Monkey Movies That I Love

Posted by BAW on 25th Aug, 2010 in Movies and TV | 0 comments

I just love movies about monkeys, whether they are chimps or gorillas. Gorillas aren’t strictly in the monkey family, but for the purposes of movies, I’m going to broaden the definition! Bearing this in mind, here are my five best monkey movies. There have been so many movies featuring these precious primates, it was difficult to decide. Nevertheless, these are the five that I never lose interest in watching again and again.

Monkey Business (1952)

I love this rather screwball comedy starring Cary Grant, Ginger Rogers and also Marilyn Monroe. It doesn’t have a plausible story but this just makes it even more funny. We see Esther the chimpanzee let loose to pour some chemicals into the water cooler. A research chemist, Dr Barnaby Fulton, played by Cary Grant, has developed an experimental youth elixir. Then he tries the elixir on himself, it is unfortunately washed down with the water from the cooler. The consequence is that he starts to behave like a little boy.

Planet Of The Apes

There are two versions of this movie, the first in 1968 starring Charlton Heston and the second in 2001 starring Mark Wahlberg. Personally, I like both of them. There was even a television series based on the 1968 movie that starred Roddy McDowall. It was rather shortlived and only ran for 14 episodes. In its day the 1968 movie was quite original in its use of prosthetic makeup for the apes.

King Kong

Are you a fan of King Kong? There are three versions to choose from: 1933, 1976 and 2005. The 2005 version directed by Lord of the Rings director, Peter Jackson, was considered a great success and it was just as well because it is one of the most expensive movies made. I love this version because King Kong looks and moves so realistically even though he was created through the magic of special effects.

Gorillas In the Mist (1988)

Dian Fossey was a leading scientist working with primates in Africa. Her life was cut short when she was murdered in 1985. The movie stars Sigourney Weaver who does an excellent job of playing Dian Fossey.

Tarzan

There have been many movies starring that man of the jungle, Tarzan. Personally, I like those starring Johnny Weissmuller. My favorite character in the Tarzan movies – apart from Tarzan himself – is Cheeta the chimpanzee. Cheeta certainly created a lot of comedy value in the movies.

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