See more TV reviews

Magilla Gorilla (Boomerang)

common sense media says

Kids will go bananas over this adorable classic.

parents & educators say
See all 3 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the somewhat trouble-prone Magilla Gorilla is a loveable character. Aside from mild nagging and teasing on the part of Mr. Peebles toward Magilla, there's nothing objectionable about this series.

Positive messages: Some mild teasing/poking fun, mostly directed at Magilla.
Violence & scariness: Not applicable.
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Magilla Gorilla

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about self respect. Is Mr. Peebles disrespectful of Magilla? If so, how? Does Magilla give himself enough respect? Why is it disrespectful to poke fun at someone else? Is teasing ever OK? How can you tell if you've gone too far? How can you defend yourself when someone else makes fun of you?

What's the story?

What's the story?
MAGILLA GORILLA, a classic Hanna-Barbera cartoon that originally aired from 1964-1967, follows Mr. Peebles (voiced by Howard Morris), a cranky, frustrated businessman who's desperate to sell Magilla (Allan Melvin), a sweet, fumbling ape who spends his days eating bananas and hanging around outside Mr. Peebles' front store window. Because he's lowered his asking price considerably, Mr. Peebles usually doesn't have a problem selling the gorilla -- but every time, Magilla's new owner ends up returning him and demanding his or her money back because of the ape's troublesome antics. The equally troublesome Ogee (Jean Vander Pyl) seems to be the only one who continues to ask "How much is that gorilla in the window?" But Mr. Peebles always turns her down, because her offer is always too low.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

The only thing this series is guilty of is poking fun. Mr. Peebles views Magilla as a nuisance, so he treats him like one. As a result, some young viewers might get the idea that all animals are stupid. Parents should point out that even though humans are intellectually smarter than animals, apes are the smartest creatures in the animal kingdom -- and that lack of intellect or education is never a valid reason to degrade another person and/or animal.

TV themes & details

Themes
wild animals
TV Details
TV Rating: TV-G
Network: Boomerang
Cast: Allan Melvin, Howard Morris, Jean Vander Pyl
Genre: Kids' Animation
Where to watch: Boomerang
This review was written by Deirdre Sheppard
 
 

Review It

 

Review Magilla Gorilla

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

Most useful reviews by all members

Frylock
teen, 14 years old
2
 
As wholesome as it gets.
A wholesome classic. I like Mr.Peebles.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (11) | had useful details (11) | read my mind (12)
sweet dreams
adult
 
Great show!!!
i love this show!!! i'm a classic cartoon fan and magilla gorilla is one of my favorites!! i always felt so sorry for him because no one wanted to buy him!!
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (10) | had useful details (12) | read my mind (11)
Ylndgomez
teen, 16 years old
14
 
I LOVE MAGILLA GORILLA.
I LOVE MAGILLA GORILLA I LOVE MR. PEEBLES. I LOVE OGEE. I LOVE RICOCHET RABBIT & DROOP A LONG. I LOVE PUNKIN PUSS AND MUSHMOUSE.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (10) | had useful details (11) | read my mind (11)

More reviews ...

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
Advice on the big issues
 

vote now

Will you see Magilla Gorilla?

Won't miss it
We'll try
Change it

Already seen it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Browse more TV
About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age
Our child development rating guidelines