Watusi (film)

Watusi
Return to King Solomon's Mines
Original film poster
Directed by Kurt Neumann
Produced by Al Zimbalist
Donald Zimbalist
Written by James Clavell
Based on King Solomon's Mines by H. Rider Haggard
Starring George Montgomery
Taina Elg
David Farrar
Rex Ingram.
Cinematography Harold E. Wellman
Edited by William B. Gulick
Distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date
  • July 1, 1959 (1959-07-01)
Running time
 85 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Budget $485,000[1]
Box office $1,545,000[1]

Watusi is a 1959 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer adventure film directed by Kurt Neumann and produced by Al Zimbalist and Donald Zimbalist. The screenplay was by James Clavell loosely based on the novel King Solomon's Mines by H. Rider Haggard. The film stars George Montgomery, Taina Elg, David Farrar and Rex Ingram.[2]

The film is a sequel to the MGM 1950 King Solomon's Mines starring Deborah Kerr and Stewart Granger, and in fact, uses some footage from the earlier film.

Plot summary

Harry Quatermain (George Montgomery) is the son of Allan Quatermain who first set out on the quest for the source of Solomon's wealth, and he is determined to succeed where his father failed. He goes to Africa with his good friend Rick Cobb (David Farrar) and as they continue on their journey, Erica Neuler (Taina Elg) joins them. She is the daughter of a missionary who has been killed by a local tribe. Harry cannot hide his antagonism toward Erica. She is German, and Harry's mother was killed at sea by Germans in World War I.[3]

Cast

  • George Montgomery as Harry Quatermain
  • Taina Elg as Erica Neuler
  • David Farrar as Rick Cobb
  • Rex Ingram as Umbopa
  • Dan Seymour as Mohamet
  • Robert Goodwin as Jim-Jim
  • Anthony M. Davis as Amtaga
  • Paul Thompson as Gagool
  • Harold Dyrenforth as Wilhelm von Kentner
  • Charles Swain as M'ban
  • Martin Wilkins as Wounded Native

Production

The film was originally known as Return to King Solomon's Mines and was the first movie produced for the studio by Al Zimablist since he signed a contract with them. Director Kurt Neumann had just made The Fly (1958) which was written by James Clavell and Clavell wrote the screenplay for this. Taina Elg was under contract to MGM at the time and had just made Les Girls for them.[4]

During filming, Irma Neumann, wife of director Kurt, died. A few weeks after filming completed, the director himself died as well.[5]

Reception

Box office

According to MGM records the film earned $695,000 in the US and Canada and $850,000 elsewhere resulting in a profit of $79,000.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 The Eddie Mannix Ledger, Los Angeles: Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study .
  2. ↑ WATUSI. (1959, Monthly Film Bulletin, 26, 63. Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.sl.nsw.gov.au/docview/1305825447?accountid=13902
  3. ↑ http://www.allmovie.com/movie/watusi-v116067
  4. ↑ Hopper, H. (1958, Apr 10). Roz russell may do 'mame' as musical. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.sl.nsw.gov.au/docview/167280229?accountid=13902
  5. ↑ Kurt neumann, director, dies in mystery. (1958, Aug 22). Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.sl.nsw.gov.au/docview/167255402?accountid=13902


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.