The Leavenworth Case: Monkeys, Murders, and 1936 B-Movie Logic

Is it worth your time?

Look, if you are the type of person who digs through bargain bins at antique stores just to find the weirdest looking box art, you’ll probably find something to like here. It’s short, it’s strange, and it features a monkey named Jocko who is honestly more charismatic than half the human cast. If you need high-stakes drama or tight, logical pacing, steer clear. This is for the weirdos who enjoy cinematic oddities.

The whole premise feels like it was written on a napkin during a lunch break. A wealthy guy gets murdered, and the only witness is this little monkey. The movie treats this like a serious detective story, which is exactly why it’s so funny to watch. 🐒

The Monkey Factor

Jocko the monkey doesn’t really act, he just exists in the background while people yell about wills and inheritances. There’s a scene where he’s just sitting on a piece of furniture looking completely bored, and I found myself staring at him for way too long. He’s clearly just waiting for a snack.

The human actors are doing their best, I guess. Warren Hymer has that specific 1930s tough-guy energy that makes you want to check your pockets for stolen watches. But every time he gets into a heated moment, the camera cuts to the monkey, and the tension just… vanishes. It’s hilarious.

It definitely lacks the snap of something like Operator 13. Where that film feels like it actually knows where it’s going, this one feels like it’s wandering around the set hoping to find a plot.

Observations from the couch

• The dialogue is so fast that if you blink, you’ll miss the only clue that actually matters.
• The house where the murder happens feels strangely empty, like they forgot to hire furniture movers.
• I swear the monkey knows it’s a movie. It stares directly into the lens at least three times.

There is this one moment where the lead detective is giving a big speech about justice. The lighting is all dramatic and moody, but then you see the monkey in the corner scratching his head. It completely ruins the vibe. It’s perfect. ✨

It’s not a masterpiece. It’s not even a good "whodunit" if we’re being honest. But there’s a charm to how low-stakes everything feels. It’s like watching a stage play that someone accidentally filmed. I’ve seen some odd stuff, like the vibe in Axe Me Another, but this is a different kind of weird.

Don't expect the world. Just expect a monkey, a dead guy, and a lot of frantic talking in rooms with way too much wallpaper. It’s fine. It’s weird. It’s done.