The Hairy Ape is a 1944 American drama film based upon the 1922 play of the same name by Eugene O'Neill.

It was directed by Alfred Santell and adapted by Robert Hardy Andrews and Decla Dunning.

The film stars William Bendix, Susan Hayward, John Loder, Dorothy Comingore, Roman Bohnen, Tom Fadden and Alan Napier.

So when the beautiful spoiled socialite Mildred Douglas (Susan Hayward) insults him with the slur "hairy ape," her words cut deep.

After his ship docks, he departs into the city to track down the rich woman and find out the meaning behind her harsh words.