King Solomon's Mines (1937)

White hunter Allan Quartermain and his enigmatic guide help a young Irish woman locate her missing father in unexplored Darkest Africa.

Directors:

Robert Stevenson, Geoffrey Barkas

Writers:

H. Rider Haggard (novel), Michael Hogan (screenplay)

Stars:

Paul Robeson, Cedric Hardwicke, Roland Young

1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Paul Robeson	...	Umbopa
Cedric Hardwicke	...	Allan Quartermain
Roland Young	...	Commander Good
John Loder	...	Sir Henry Curtis
Anna Lee	...	Kathy O'Brien
Arthur Sinclair	...	O'Brien
Robert Adams	...	Twala
Arthur Goullet	...	Sylvestra (as Arthur Goullett)
Tony Wane	...	Infadoos (as Ecce Homo Toto)
Makubalo Hlubi	...	Kapse
Mjujwa	...	Scragga

Storyline

Fortune hunter Patrick O'Brien has left his daughter Kathy and guide Umbopa to trek across the desert in hopes of finding the fabled diamond mines of Solomon. Worried about her father, Kathy persuades hunter Allan Quartermain to lead a party to rescue him. After surviving the desert they are found by natives and brought to their chief, Twala. Umbopa reveals himself to be the true heir to the tribal throne, having been exiled years earlier by Twala and the tribal witch, Gagool. Quartermain's only hope to gain access to the mines and the possible rescue of O'Brien is to try to help Umbopa regain his rightful place as chief.

---

Plot Keywords:

cigar smoking | hunter | desert | rescue | africa | 

---

Taglines:

H. Rider Haggard's Mighty Spectacle

---

Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Musical | Romance | Thriller

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was thought lost for years. It was believed the negative was ceded to MGM when the studio acquired remake rights in 1950. When MGM denied it, it was believed to have been assigned to Pinewood Lake on the studio's property, a watery grave that contains cans and reels of unstable nitrate films. When it did turn up, it was in Rank's Pinewood vaults.

---

Goofs

When Paul Robeson tells the white people his secret, a native eavesdropping outside the hut hears him and is very excited. But none of the natives speaks English.

---

Quotes

Allan Quartermaine: Who are you?
Umbopa: I'm a man who looks for diamonds and hangs about your camp. That's what YOU said!

---

Connections

Referenced in That's Black Entertainment: Actors (2002)

---

Soundtracks

Walk! Walk!
(uncredited)
Music by Mischa Spoliansky
Lyrics by Eric Maschwitz
Sung by Paul Robeson

User Reviews

Rousing Climax

First of the Many Versions, this British Production is Somewhat Dated but not without Charm and Adventure. Once things get going it is Truly an Adventure Filled with Dangers and Diabolical Natives.

This wasn't the Best of Prints and some of the Images looked Very Dark and Blurry but Enough Remained to be Watchable. The Final Act is Undoubtedly the Best with Standout Scenery and some really Scary Natives. Their Attire and Demeanor is Striking and Unsettling.

Paul Robeson is Often Touted as Enhancing the Story with His Three Songs but they seem out of Place and Pretty Corny. "Mountain, you mountain, mountain, you mountain." But Even if You don't find that kind of Stuff Appealing there is Much to Like in this Rousing Adventure that has an Outstanding Climax.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English Portuguese

Release Date:

26 July 1937 (USA)

Also Known As:

King Solomon's Mines

Filming Locations:

Otto's Bluff, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gaumont British Picture Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

77 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (British Acoustic Film Full-Range Recording System at Shepherds Bush London)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1