The Wild Wild West (TV Series) The Night of the Simian Terror (1968) User Reviews

Very Formula Like With Terror

[DKosty123 · 8/10 · 31 July 2009]

This episode is OK, but reflects some of the problems developing in the series. It is hard to keep a creative edge on a show with this concept.

To its credit, this appearance of Richarl Kiel at least presents him as more human than many of his roles. He actually speaks & makes sense here as he is insane with greed. He has a trained ape helping him though the ape is a creation of a mad doctor who appears to be nothing but a country doctor.

The script here has more grit than in season 4 where it is redone without Kiel and in much worse form than Bleak Island. The sets in this show should be very familiar to West fans and the tung in cheek humor is here which makes it an above average outing.

Sherlock West and his buddy Gordon Watson

[searchanddestroy-1 · 8/10 · 23 March 2019]

This topic is obviously highly inspired by some Sherlock Holmes adventure schemes - PEARL OF DEATH and SCARLET CLAW- as will be another spisode of W W WEST concerning HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLE - NIGHT OF THE BLEAK ISLAND. Not bad at all, but there is absolutely nothing of western element here. A very good episode of the show, where we can find another Richard Kiel performance without Michael Dunn as Miguelito Loveless, whom we saw both in the first season. There is also some kind of FRANKENSTEIN movies atmosphere: scientist, his giant sidekick as was Boris Karloff, the mad crowd outside; many references to the old Golden Age of Universal studios.

One more thing I forgot in my comment

[searchanddestroy-1 · 8/10 · 23 March 2019]

This episode is maybe not the best of the best, even a bit ridiculous at first sight, But it is so far the most poignant moving story in the show. The villains are not so obvious and you can see some poignant and sad scenes. I would say it is a rather dark tale here. SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS The man talking about his expendable son, and the beast groaning of grief, of pain, on the Richard Kiel's corpse...Not a usual story.

Somewhat forgettable

[oscar-35 · 15 December 2012]

*Spoiler/plot- TNOT Simian Terror, 68. Our agents uncover a bizarre revenge plot upon a US senator and his family involving inhuman medical experiments.

*Special Stars- Robert Conrad, Ross Martin, Dabbs Greer, John Abbott, Richard Kiel.

*Theme- Family matters should be handled by family communication.

*Trivia/location/goofs- Air date 2-16-68. Takes place in Kansas. Famous TV faces of Dabbs Greer, John Abbott, Richard Kiel are featured in this episode. Richard Kiel gets to really act with lines and emotions instead of being just a mindless murder henchman as in most films. I guess the pay is the same, though. To those who thoroughly enjoy character actors, Dabbs Greer is an icon of that performer. Mr. Conrad's short stature/height for a leading man (5'7") was compensated for with shoe 'lifts' in his boots, casting short stunt people, and short leading ladies. In fact his show was known for needing so many short stature love-interest roles for women among females actresses, it became a staple for actresses in Hollywood.

*Emotion- I was not impressed by the Sherlock Holmesian 'mysterious animal murderer' scenario plot line. The guest star lead villain's performance is somewhat forgettable due to it's late arrival in the episode.....many time villain roles fail to deliver enough 'gravitas' to balance with the strong leads of Conrad and Martin. The inclusion of gorilla spiced-up the drama. This is not vintage W3.