Monkey Shines: An Experiment in Fear and the Jolly Chimp Toy
Several years ago, I wandered into my favorite thrifting spot for a break from painting. As I was leaving, I went by the glass case to gander at the items they considered treasure. I noticed a retro toy that I had seen on a movie poster. It was an authentic Jolly Chimp toy – the monkey with striped pants and banging cymbals. I had the attendant let me look at it. The creepy toy’s condition was poor but, the box and the toy were there. I paid the $10 and took the piece home for my shelf. Had it not been for the Monkey Shines: An Experiment in Fear poster, I wouldn’t have even cared about the creepy toy. Get in your wheelchair and read my thoughts on this George Romero oddity but goodity from 1988.
Discover Jason Beghe’s Early Role in Monkey Shines: An Experiment in Fear
Unfortunately, I don’t live off investments which means like most Americans I have to work a full-time job in addition to having hobbies. This takes time away but, I make sure to invest my most precious resource, time, into my family. One way I do this is by watching at least 2 television shows with my wife while eating frozen grapes. One of these shows is Chicago PD which features Jason Beghe in the lead role of Sgt. Hank Voight. I had no idea until several minutes into Monkey Shines: An Experiment in Fear that Jason was also the lead role in it. He was much younger in 1984, and his raspy voice is missing. Sometime after Monkey Shines: An Experiment in Fear, Jason had an accident that affected his voice. This single fact is what I enjoyed most about this movie.
George Romero’s Monkey Shines: An Experiment in Fear—A Hidden Horror Gem
In addition to having my mind blown when I realized who was playing Allan Mann, the quadriplegic with a trained monkey assistant, learning that George Romero directed Monkey Shines: An Experiment in Fear was another surprise. Romero, to me, is like John Carpenter. If their name is on a movie, you can bet it’s going to be great. I’ve blogged on Romero’s Night of the Living Dead and Day of the Dead. As for Carpenter, I’ve blogged on The Fog, Escape from New York, They Live, and Big Trouble in Little China. Each title is linked to the respective blog. I said all that to say that I am a fan of both fellows’ work. With Monkey Shines: An Experiment in Fear added to my list, I have another Romero film under my belt. I was also pleased to know that Tom Savini did the special effects, wow.
Exploring the Unique Horror Elements in Monkey Shines
Ok, folks, I get it. Fan service sells tickets. I have to say though that it isn’t always necessary. A problem I had with Monkey Shines: An Experiment in Fear was the hook-up scene with his girlfriend. I have no idea what purpose this served. It had nothing to do with the plot, story, terror – nothing. This scene could have easily been omitted. To me, a better way to have presented this would have been at the very end. Maybe a here’s what you’ve been waiting on scene or something. Let me get this out there too. I’m in no way picking on quadriplegic folks or making fun of the challenges they face. I hope that everyone can live the fullest best life that they can. I just didn’t see a purpose for this scene.
Dive into Psychological Tension
Let’s talk about pets. About a year ago, my daughter and I ran into a lady outside a restaurant that had a pet monkey. My daughter wanted to pet it but, the lady wouldn’t let her for fear of the animal getting sick. An uncle of mine owned a pet monkey for a while and I don’t recall hearing good stories. Monkeys are well known for throwing poop and biting too. So, I don’t see how having a monkey as a quadriplegic is a good idea. This is not a typical service animal. Think about it. I own a Rottweiler, and he can get on the counter, all the furniture, and open doors. A monkey can do this and more. Were you to get that one primate that was a hellraiser, you would be in a world of trouble which leads me to my next point.
The Role of Disability and Dependence in Monkey Shines
Thankfully, I don’t face the challenges associated with being quadriplegic. This takes dependency to a whole new level. My Rottweiler is going to become a service animal for me one day. It will be on a very small level compared to the black lab I saw guiding a blind fellow at the polls recently though. Monkey Shines: An Experiment in Fear’s main character is dependent on this primate for telephone calls, food, etc. Here’s the scary thing. When the animal goes haywire, what could he do to stop it? He can’t fight with it. Shooting it is not an option. There’s no way to call for help. Think about that level of dependency and then put that into the context of a horror movie. This is the leading point that makes Monkey Shines: An Experiment in Fear great. On to my next point.
Hollywood - Oh Where, Oh Where Has Creativity Gone?
Hollywood – a question for you – where has your creativity gone? Stream a movie because the days of renting VHS tapes are behind us now and see if I’m wrong. Today, Hollywood offers one of three options. Your choice of a remake of something old and actually creative that they typically ruin or completely destroy. Option two is demon this which caused demon that to attack group of people. Third, you got captured and we’re going to torture you in the most realistic on-film ways possible until one of your friends escapes somehow. Monkey Shines: An Experiment in Fear is none of these. Instead, it is 100% creative and completely unique to the best of my knowledge – a quadriplegic gets an enhanced monkey trained as a service animal that becomes too attached to him. Year 2024’s Hollywood would never produce something like this – it’s way too creative.
Monkey Shines' Movie Poster - Why The Jolly Chimp Toy?
Back to the poster that I mentioned in the introduction – does anyone know how the movie is tied to the chimp toy? I never noticed a Jolly Chimp anywhere on screen. This is one of my personal favorite posters. The poster for The Attack of the 50ft Woman is my favorite. Yes, I have blogged on this 1950’s Sci-fi gem and you can read it here. Monkey Shines: An Experiment in Fear has another iconic poster though. Once you see it, you never forget it. This poster grabs me and causes my mind to wonder what is this movie about. You would never guess the plot based on the poster and although it certainly has something to do with monkeys, it has nothing to do with the toy it displays. The Jolly Chimp toy is a creepy creation – especially in real life.
Conclusion - Never Watch Chicago PD the Same Again
All in all, Monkey Shines: An Experiment in Fear is a great movie. The acting is great, the directing is great, the effects are great, the costumes and color are spot on as well as the writing. The realization that the main character is Sgt. Voigt is great and changes how I view Chicago PD – for the good because it’s a great show. I know very little about wheelchairs except that I will occasionally borrow the one at the makeup store when my wife and daughter drag me in there for two reasons. One, I’m lazy, and two because I like to irritate them. My point – the chair that the character uses (it’s vintage now) is amazing. He’s able to steer it with his mouth. I’m sure that chairs now are even more advanced but, this was impressive technology to see.
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this artist’s thoughts on Monkey Shines: An Experiment in Fear. I invite you to follow my art journey on social media, visit my website, and consider supporting and buying my work here. If you liked this blog or the movie, please share. Also, feel free to comment, especially if you are a fan of this one. I doubt I’ll watch Monkey Shines: An Experiment in Fear again anytime soon but, it is certainly enjoyable if you dig 80s horror or just unique stories. Also, Chicago PD fans should watch this to see some old-school Voight. Peace.