The Gorilla is an American 1927 silent mystery film directed by Alfred Santell based on the play The Gorilla by Ralph Spence. It stars Charles Murray, Fred Kelsey, and Walter Pidgeon. Following the success of Spence's play on Broadway, production on a film adaptation was set to start on March 1927, while principal photography only began in August 1927. The Gorilla premiered in Cleveland and Toledo, Ohio and in St. Louis, Missouri on November 5, 1927. The film received positive reviews from The Chicago Tribune, Variety, and Harrison's Reports while being dismissed by The New York Times. The play was adapted again as The Gorilla in 1930 and The Gorilla (1939). The 1927 version of the film is considered a lost film. Plot As the film is considered a lost film, specific details on the plot are not clear. This plot summary combines details from the Library of Congress, the AFI Catalog of Feature Films, and the Harrison's Reports. Some plot details remain unclear, such as whether the murders are done by a real gorilla or a man in the suit in the story. Mystery surrounds the brutal murder of several persons, with the killer believed to be a gorilla who has murdered Cyrus Townsend, father of Alice, in his home leading to suspicions being put on Arthur Marsden, his secretary and his partner Alice. The circumstances of the murder are similar to the other gorilla killings. As Alice, Marsden and a friend of Townsend with Stevens gather about the library tablem they discover a note that warns them to leave before midnight. At ten minutes to twelve they are terrified by a loud knocking at the door. It turns out to be Garrity and Mulligan, who announce they are detectives sent to solve the mystery. They begin to search for the killer, whom they are certain is one of the people present. People suddenly vanish, doors open and shut, strange noises are heard and lights go off and on. Meanwhile, a real gorilla is discovered on the premises. A sailor confesses to being the Gorilla, but Marsden, who reveals himself to be a detective, finds that Stevens is the true culprit. Cast Charles Murray as Garrity Fred Kelsey as Mulligan Walter Pidgeon as Stevens Alice Day as Alice Townsend Brooks Benedict as Reporter Syd Crossley as Butler Claude Gillingwater as Cyrus Townsend Tully Marshall as William Townsend Gaston Glass