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5.8/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.8/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Gum Shoes remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you like movies that feel like a fever dream from the 1930s, then sure. It's short, weird, and mostly just exists to make you laugh at how fake the gorilla looks. If you prefer things that actually make sense, stay far away.
The premise is exactly what it sounds like. Two detectives who couldn't find their own feet in the dark are hunting a thief. And that thief is an ape. 🦍
The whole movie hinges on Charles Gemora in that suit. You can really tell it’s a person inside there. Every time the 'gorilla' moves, the fabric bunches up in a way that just screams wardrobe department.
There is this one scene where they are trying to corner the beast in a hallway. The blocking is so awkward it feels like they were making it up as they went along. Monte Collins and Tom Kennedy look like they’re just trying not to trip over their own feet.
It honestly reminds me of the pacing in Stop Thief!, but with more primate-related slapstick. The comedy is loud, frantic, and doesn't care if you're actually following the plot.
I found myself wondering if they just had a leftover suit from another production. It’s like they found a gorilla costume in a closet and decided to build an entire film around it. You have to respect that kind of commitment to a bad idea.
It’s nowhere near as polished as something like Yu guang qu, but it isn't trying to be. It’s just a weird little artifact of film history. Sometimes, that is enough.
The ending comes out of nowhere. It’s like the director just said 'okay, we're done here' and cut the cameras. I’m not even sure if they actually caught the guy or if the gorilla just got bored and left.
Anyway, watch it if you want to see a man in a rug steal jewelry for twenty minutes. Don't watch it if you want a detective thriller. You’ve been warned. 🍌
