This episode explores the world of rubber gorillas made by companies like Imperial, Steven Manufacturing (Gigantor), Azrak-Hamway International, Ben Cooper, Vic's and others. Before getting into the toys, I talk about Phil the Gorilla, a legendary resident of the St. Louis Zoo in the 1940s and 1950s that helped spark my childhood love of rubber gorillas.

Notes: While talking about the big Gigantor gorillas with the open mouths, I should have noted that examples have been found wearing a pageant-style sash with the name "Gigantor" printed on it. That is one reason why, years ago, collectors closely associated the name "Gigantor" with these particular gorillas. Also, I mistakenly said that the tan version had plastic eyes. Both the tan and black versions have painted eyes. The tan gorilla's eyes are much more glossy and shiny, so I mistook t ...