Day Two: Tonight's presentation is perhaps our favorite of all Lugosi's Monogram films; it was directed by the legendary William "One Shot" Beaudine and released on March 5, 1943.

Lugosi is Dr. James Brewster, a research scientist who -- whoops, darn it -- has accidentally transformed himself into a human gorilla. Well, we've all had days like that, haven't we, fellers? In Bela's case, though, he needs human spinal fluid to effect a cure. He gets it with the help of his pet (and bunkmate) killer gorilla. This is the kind of film that only Monogram would make, thank heavens.

Bela's sister in the film is named Agatha, and with his name Brewster one can only surmise that the writers were having a little fun with Arsenic and Old Lace. Very little. And why does Bela speaking his usual barely-literate English, while his sister talks like Vanessa Redgrave? Ah, well, sometimes it's better not to ask these things. We'd also be better off not asking why Lugosi, in his Ape Man makeup, looks less like a gorilla than he resembles Abraham Lincoln, making this pretty much the perfect film to watch on President's Day, or anytime.

Dramatic highlight: Bela bursts into tears and weeps on his sister’s shoulder as he cries, “Vot a MESS I’ve made of things!”

Favorite dialog, reporter to a cameraman: “After today, you’ll be shooting that one-eyed monster of yours for Uncle Sam!”

Second favorite dialog, reporter Wallace Ford to camerawoman Louise Curry: "Cocky little wench, aren't you?"

Third favorite dialog, police detective noting the handful of hair clutched by a victim: "Whoever did it sure needed a HAIRCUT!"

I believe this is Bela Lugosi's single most embarrassing role, and I've seen both Glen or Glenda? and Shadow of Chinatown. As the demented Ape Man, he lurches around the sets looking like a... well, like a sixty-something-year-old Hungarian pretending to be a monkey. And at the end of the film, a strange character who's been hanging around looks at us out here in the audience (those of us still awake) and says, "I'm the author of this story. Screwy idea, wasn't it?" That it was, and you can have your Son of Frankenstein and Ninotchka, I'll take The Ape Man anytime as Lugosi's most memorable non-Dracula performance. And then some. (Click HERE to review yesterday's films!)

Join us again tomorrow for more fun at our BelaBration 2008!