source: Jungle Gents

Trailer—Jungle Gents

Jungle Gents

The "boys" were getting a bit long in the tooth when they made this film. Huntz Hall was about 35 but did look younger and Gorcey 37. Regardless, for me Leo Gorcey is the real star. His delivery of completely mangled English in this endeavor is hysterical. Yes you have to credit the writers, but Gorcey's delivery sounds genuine which is the gimmick that makes this work. I wonder if a younger audience in one of today's high schools would even recognize the humor resulting from the absurd mispronunciations and malapropisms. The plot is silly but you are watching the Bowery Boys so it's clear your not seeking highbrow comedy. Should you run across this film you won't be disappointed and Clint Walker has a great bit right at the end.

Sach all of a sudden has the power to smell diamonds, and after catching a jewel thief in Louis' joint, is taken to Africa with the boys and the unshakable Louis to assist diamond hunters. There, they face headhunters and an evil diamond hunter who cheated out his partner, the man that has brought the boys over. While in Africa, Sach meets a lion killing jungle girl. Wait until you see this lion---it looks like a bad stuffed animal that has been played with for three generations. Typical stock footage and bad dialogue is abound, plus a cave where there is apparently a faceless ghost. Some amusing moments but one of the weakest entries of the last quarter of the series.

If as Carol Channing and Marilyn Monroe sang that Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend than it would have been in Lorelei's interest to befriend Huntz Hall because in Jungle Gents a sinus operation has left Sach with a nose that can smell where diamonds are located. What to do with that but go to Africa and do a little prospecting. The whole Bowery Boys gang including Bernard Gorcey who once again leaves Louie's Sweet Shop to accompany Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall and the rest to the Dark Continent. Of course diamonds already mined and out of the ground are easier to find which leads the boys into contact with some smugglers played by Patrick O'Moore and Rudolph Anders. Really at this point the series was sliding downhill. How many more plots can they have where Huntz Hall develops some strange power that gets them all in a jackpot?