the chimpanzee scene

O-k, I just have to get this off my chest, but I saw the chimpanzee scene recently, and I thought it was rather cruel, very funny, but very cruel. I know Scarpelli was a very terrible character in the film, but to be honestly, I sort of felt sorry for him, being laughed at by almost everyone there. Something does irk me, though. If nobody there liked him that much, obviously since they all laughed hilariously at his situation, why did they not laugh earlier when he was first transformed? Surely, if they disliked him that much, they quite possibly knew him even before Mario said: "Scarpelli?" Sure, Brooklyn were troubled with the dinosaur transformations, but a man turns into a chimpanzee, and everyone bursts with laughter. Anyway, I know it is just a film, and all, but it just somewhat does not make that sense to me. Anyway, once again, I know this is just a film, but what are all of your reactions on it? Please share your comments, thanks.