If you’ve studied cryptids and other paranormal creatures there’s a chance you’ve come across the story of Gef, a talking mongoose on the Isle of Man. The 1930s phenomenon covered the local newspapers and brought in paranormal investigators and parapsychologists from around the area to investigate. However, if the idea of a talking mongoose or creature off the coast of Great Britain is a new one to you – you wouldn’t be alone.
But the story of Gef, one of the paranormal investigators who went to see if he could see this phenomenon himself is coming to the big screen this week with a title that is quite the mouthful. Nandor Fodor and the Talking Mongoose tells the story of the famed parapsychologist Nandor Fodor who is invited to try to prove (or disprove) the existence of a talking creature. While everyone around him is convinced of the existence of Gef, the slightly more pragmatic Fodor goes in to prove that Gef is nothing but a marketing ploy – but to what end? After an experience with Gef, is Fodor convinced or is there more to the story?
Nandor Fodor and the Talking Mongoose, with all of its faults, is actually based on a real paranormal case – that of Gef, the talking Mongoose, or the Dalby Spook. The supposed talking creature was actually investigated by parapsychologist Nandor Fodor in the 1950’s but is reported to have not heard or seen anything on his visit to the farm. So the reality of the story in the movie may be as fanciful as the story of Gef in general. Was it a magical talking creature or was it just Voirrey practicing her ventriloquism? She claimed up until her death in 2005 that she did not create the creature – so we may never know.
However, whatever creative licensing was taken in creating the film Nandor Fodor and the Talking Mongoose is definitely one to grab your attention. The movie, while slow at times, is shot beautifully. Full of beautiful scenery and dark brooding pub scenes, the two parts may seem to be disconnected but the storytelling in between will keep your attention. The only criticism is the movie is billed as a dark comedy, and while it may be for British audiences, it’s more a paranormal drama-type movie that US audiences will see the movie as, and will most likely draw them in to see the story.
Will the movie with an almost nonsensical-sounding name pull in a huge audience at theaters? Most likely not, however, the name will spark the interest of some and have them doing the research into the case, Gef and the paranormal. Add in names like Simon Pegg, Neil Gaiman, Christopher Lloyd, and Minnie Driver – you have the making of almost a movie that will no doubt have a cult following later.
Nandor Fodor and the Talking Mongoose is in select theaters this weekend.
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About Nandor Fodor and the Talking Mongoose:
Simon Pegg, Minnie Driver, and Christopher Lloyd star in this wildly entertaining adventure based on a (possibly) true tale set in 1935 London. When famed paranormal psychologist Dr. Nandor Fodor (Pegg) investigates a family’s claims of a talking animal, he uncovers a mysterious web of hidden motives. Soon, everyone becomes a suspect in Dr. Fodor’s relentless pursuit of the truth.