The Hairy Ape (1944): cast, story & where to watch
1944 · Film · ★ 5.3
Released in 1944, The Hairy Ape is a drama film directed by Alfred Santell, running about 92 minutes. “EUGENE O'NEILL'S BEST!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Aboard ship, a spoiled woman (Susan Hayward) insults the brutish stoker (William Bendix) while watching him work.
Who’s in it. The Hairy Ape stars William Bendix as Hank Smith, Susan Hayward as Mildred Douglas, John Loder as Tony Lazar and Dorothy Comingore as Helen Parker, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.3/10, The Hairy Ape has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Amazon Prime Video, MGM+ Amazon Channel, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel and MGM Plus and rent or buy it from Amazon Video. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Hairy Ape page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Hairy Ape tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Hairy Ape (1944)?
- In US, The Hairy Ape is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, MGM+ Amazon Channel and MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, and rent or buy from Amazon Video. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Hairy Ape worth watching?
- The Hairy Ape holds an audience score of 5.3 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Hairy Ape?
- The Hairy Ape stars William Bendix, Susan Hayward, John Loder, Dorothy Comingore and Roman Bohnen.