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Gorilla Men Bios
Charles Gemora
Ray 'Crash' Corrigan
Emil Van Horn
Art Miles
Bull Montana
Fred Humes
George Kotsonaros
George Barrows
Bob Burns
Janos Prohaska
Rick Baker
Don McLeod
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CHARLES GEMORA
 
Stowed away on an American vessel sailing out of the
Philippines, a young Charles Gemora arrived in California while the birth of
cinema was in full swing. To help earn a little extra cash, Charlie would
hang around the Universal entrance offering to sketch portraits. It wasn't
long before his natural artistic abilities were noticed and Charles Gemora
was working on such films as PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and NOAH'S ARK as a
sculptor. When Charles began working on creating gorilla suits for film, he
realized that with his diminutive stature (5'5") and his commitment to
excellence, he could do well to carve himself a niche as a gorilla man.
Charles would spend almost 3 decades honing his realistic performance and
leading the evolution of suit effects.
While early appearances such as SEVEN FOOTPRINTS TO SATAN were grotesque and
horrific, later films like THE MONSTER AND THE GIRL were distinguished by
gorilla suits that were grounded in reality and performances that were
informed by much study at the nearby San Diego Zoo. Gemora was equally adept
at comedic roles, racking up credits alongside legends like Laurel and
Hardy, Zasu Pitts, Charley Chase, Our Gang, the Marx Brothers, Abbott and
Costello, and Hope and Crosby.
Moving from Universal to Paramount in the early 1930's, Charles Gemora
continued to work in the makeup and effects department there up until his
death in 1961. Throughout his stay at Paramount, Charles racked up numerous
unaccredited gorilla suit appearances while working on other films like
GUNGA DIN, AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS and THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. Perhaps
the most recognizable contribution he made to cinema was the memorable alien
menace from WAR OF THE WORLDS; the result of a last minute change of plans,
Charles and his daughter Diana created the creature in a late night
marathon. Gemora made his final gorilla suit film in 1954 with PHANTOM OF
THE RUE MORGUE. A stunt man filled the hairy boots for strenuous action
scenes but none could replicate the subtle pantomime skills that were unique
to Charles.
RELATED BLOG ARTICLES AND REVIEWS
SEVEN FOOTPRINTS TO SATAN - film history and stills
LINKS
LOST
SOULS: CHARLES GEMORA - A biography piece written by yours truly for
the Irish Journal Gothic and Horror Studies
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