Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.0

The Monster and the Girl Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 10, 2020

Scot Webster (Phillip Terry) is a regular man put in a difficult position when he’s framed for the murder of a gangster. Willing to accept his fate to protect his sister, Susan (Ellen Drew), who’s caught up in underworld business against her will, Scot follows justice to his death, soon offered a shot at revenge when he’s selected for experimental surgery, with his brain transferred into a gorilla’s body.

It’s difficult to understand what kind of tone the production was actually aiming for in 1941’s “The Monster and the Girl.” Marketing materials use the image of a rampaging gorilla to emphasize the horror of the story, but the actual film takes quite some time to get to the beast, with the first half of the effort devoted to legal troubles for Scot, tracking the development of his trial, where he provides testimony explaining why exactly he was near the body of a dead thug. Courtroom interests guide “The Monster and the Girl” for quite some time, and there’s reasonable tension here, watching Susan lose it when she realizes Scot isn’t going to get himself out of a death sentence, while those responsible for the crime enjoy the view. The gorilla transformation is more of a last act adventure, with weird science taking the picture into a different direction, making the endeavor more about revenge from an unexpected assailant.

The Monster and the Girl Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.37:1 aspect ratio) presentation (sourced from a "New 2K film transfer") secures a satisfactory level of detail to the softer viewing experience, with textures ranging from heavy formalwear on the characters to the gorilla uprising, which offers full body hair. Facial surfaces are acceptable, along with interior decoration and expanse for courtroom visits. Delineation is largely acceptable, with some solidification as the gorilla loses detail in the darkness. Grain is thicker but film-like. Source encounters scratches and speckling, along with mild judder at times. The last reel showcases a bit more wear and tear than the rest of the movie.

The Monster and the Girl Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix presents adequate dialogue exchanges, with clear performance choices and balanced argumentative behavior. Scoring is supportive with adequate orchestral instrumentation. Sound effects, such as gun shots, come through with authority. Mild hiss is found throughout, and when scenes require some level of silence, the sound drops out almost completely. This is likely an inherent issue.

The Monster and the Girl Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features by film historians Tom Weaver and Steve Kronenberg.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included.

The Monster and the Girl Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The title, "The Monster and the Girl," has a dual meaning, and the film represents multiple genres, offering a little more dramatic concentration than a simple B-movie. It's shocking that the feature hasn't been remade in recent years, with the premise ripe for a violent reimagining. What's here is certainly entertaining, but expectations for a berserk chiller should be lowered.