Brutus the Hollywood Gorilla..UPDATE

IMG_20200328_094419_686.jpg



Latch hooked more fur into mesh on the back of the mask.
 
Thanks for posting all these amazing pics and giving us some of the history.

You're doing a super job!

Do you know who did the original sculpt and why they chose not to make it too realistic? They wanted that classic Hollywood fantasy element?

I would suppose that nowadays it's more about realism.
 
Thank you!!

In regards to Ray Crash Corrigans Bonga and Bongo, artist/painter Bill Persona sculpted them.

Good question about lack of realism. A general consensus among Ape Suit afficianos is at the time, these designs were realistic interpretations. Ape suit Godfather Charlie Gemora was the only one back then who really nailed a realistic gorilla in his later suits. But Hollywood is Hollywood and in the end the "monster gorilla" design won audiences, even if it was unintentional.

Popular and busy Gorillamen George Barrows and Janos Prohaska sculpted their own mask. Janos' designs were the least realistic, but very unique. He was very busy in the 60's and 70's (as was George).

In the end, yes, it was the unrealistic "monster" element of the Hollywood gorilla that attracted audiences.




Thanks for posting all these amazing pics and giving us some of the history.

You're doing a super job!

Do you know who did the original sculpt and why they chose not to make it too realistic? They wanted that classic Hollywood fantasy element?

I would suppose that nowadays it's more about realism.
 
Getting a Rick Baker comment on your gorilla suit would be like Stan Winston complimenting your dinosaur sculpt. You are very right in being excited.

Heck, I'm thrilled for you reading it!
 
update.

Started another Crash Corrigan Bonga suit, and this time it will be an exact replica. Again, here is a few pics of the original Bonga from the 1930's:

20220312_221432.jpg
20220317_203208.jpg
20220317_203126.jpg
20220312_221509.jpg


20220316_142527.jpg


Here is my finished sculpt and mold:


20220321_171305.jpg
20220321_171543.jpg
20220321_171642.jpg
20220321_171448.jpg
20220321_203132.jpg
20220321_205324.jpg



Once I get the mask done, I'll start on the body and again, I'll hand tie kanekalon to mesh. This time I'm working with a costume maker here in Vegas to custom tailor the mesh to fit over foam muscles.

Stay tuned..
 
Last edited:
Back
Top