KING SOLOMON'S MINES
UK, 1937, 80 minutes, Black and white.
Cedric Hardwicke, Paul Robeson, Roland Young, John Loder, Anna Lee, Sydney Fairbrother, Robert Adams.
Directed by Robert Stevenson.
King Solomon's Mines has been filmed many times. Cedric Hardwick is Allan Quarterman. In 1950 Stewart Granger took the role. In the '80s, Richard Chamberlain starred in King Solomon's Mines as well as Allan Quartermain and the City of Gold.
This is a brief treatment of H. Rider Haggard's famous story. African location photography was edited in with studio work. The film also offers the opportunity for its star, Paul Robeson, to sing three songs. (Robeson also appeared in another British production of this period, Sanders of the River, with Leslie Banks.)
The film was directed by Robert Stevenson, later to go to Hollywood to make a range of films from Jane Eyre to Mary Poppins and other Disney films. His wife, Anna Lee, also stars as she did in many of his films.
The film shows the attitude of the 19th century British Empire towards Africa - though there are comments critical of mining and the exploitation of the land as well as of hunting.
1. Entertaining version of a classic? In comparison with later versions of the story?
2. Black and white photography, African location photography, the blend with studio scenes?
3. Paul Robeson and his status as a star in the '30s? Criticisms of him for his leftist leanings? His appearing in British productions? His screen personality, his singing?
4. The plausibility of the story: the background of South African diamond mining, unexplored Africa, the tribes and their lack of communication with white explorers? The contrast between the attitudes of Empire and African traditional religion and magic? The legend of King Solomon's Mines? This kind of hunting and exploring expedition?
5. The background of Allan Quartermain as the great white hunter, his stern demeanour, his dislike of hunting yet his taking Englishmen on tours? His diary and his observations on character? The attraction towards Kathy, her father and his blarney style? His taking them on the trek, her outwitting him? His stern attitudes towards her, his letting her go? Sir John and his associate and the trek? Their decision to go after Kathy, the journey through the desert, encountering the tribes? The eclipse and his using it to his advantage? His knowledge of the language? The interactions with Umbopa? Asserting his authority, allowing Umbopa his authority? The clash with the witchdoctor? The battle, the mine, finding O'Brien? The destruction of the mines? The severe and upright English hero?
6. Sir John and his associate, rich Englishmen, in Africa and wanting adventure, serious touches, comic touches (the bath)? Their going on the expedition, their experiences? The eclipse? Sir John and his attraction towards Kathy?
7. Kathy and her father, finding the crystal, the blarney, the hopes for get-rich-quick schemes? The plan to go to the coast? Finding Quartermain, the stories Kathy told? Going on the trip? Her father going on to search for the mines with the map? Kathy and her tricking Sir John and taking Umbopa to follow him? Her vivacious attitude? Quartermain's attraction, Sir John? In the adventures, the trek through the desert? Confident her father was alive? Finding her father? The return home?
8. Umbopa, his mysterious presence, commanding attitude, the reaction of Quartermain? Friendship with Kathy, going with her? Leadership through the desert? The truth about his identity, the confrontation with the chief? The battles? Rescuing the travellers? Taking command of his people?
9. The portrait of the Africans? The chief, the rituals, the old woman guarding the mines? The chief and his usurping power? The confrontation, the Africans and their fear with the eclipse? Quartermain's magic? The change from 19th century to 20th century encounters?
10. The classic adventure, British Empire, changing attitudes towards Africa?
