Queen of the Amazons (1947)

A woman's husband has disappeared on an expedition into the jungle. She hires a guide to take her into the jungle to find him. However, they discover that he has been captured by a savage female tribe.

Director:

Edward Finney (as Edward F. Finney)

Writer:

Roger Merton (original story and screenplay)

Stars:

Robert Lowery, Patricia Morison, J. Edward Bromberg

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Robert Lowery	...	Gary Lambert
Patricia Morison	...	Jean Preston
J. Edward Bromberg	...	Gabby
John Miljan	...	Narrator / Col. Jones
Amira Moustafa	...	Zita - the Amazon Queen
Keith Richards	...	Wayne Monroe
Bruce Edwards	...	Greg Jones
Wilson Benge	...	Professor
Jack George	...	Commissioner
Cay Forester	...	Sugi
Vida Aldana	...	Tondra
Hassan Khayyam	...	Moya (as Hassam Kayyam)

Storyline

Jean Preston leads a party to India to investigate the disappearance of her fiance, Greg Jones, but someone manages to thwart their efforts through lies and murder. They pursue the trail to Africa where guide Gary Lambert and his comic cook Gabby guide them into unknown territory. Greg is found living with Zita, a jealous and beautiful Amazon queen. The mysterious deaths continue as Lambert tries to discover who has been dealing in contraband ivory. When he solves that mystery, he also uncovers the identity of the mysterious murderer.

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Plot Keywords:

jungle girl | poverty row film | low budget film | double feature film | damsel in distress | 

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Taglines:

TORRID TEMPTRESS -HER BEAUTY RULED THE JUNGLE (original poster-all caps)

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Genres:

Action | Adventure

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

The on-screen credits misspell the name of actor Hassan Khayyam. He is erroneously credited as "Hassam Kayyam."

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Goofs

Footage of a tiger hunt is shown. Tigers are not found in Africa.

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Quotes

Gabby: ...fishers went sailin' out into the West, out into the West as the sun goes down; each thought on the woman who lov'd him best. And the children stood watchin' them out of the town. For men must work, and women must weep, and there's little to earn, and many to keep, though the harbor bar be moanin'. Three wives sat up in the light-house tower, and they trimm'd the lamp as the sun went down. They look'd at the squall, and they look'd at the shower, and the night rack came rolling up ragged and...

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Connections

Referenced in Planet X: Episode #2.1 (2006)

User Reviews

Don't judge too harshly - it's not entirely bad

Heck! It was different time altogether. What made for excitement in 1947 is merely amusing, boring, or fascinating depending on your attitude towards films and movies.

I watched it. I enjoyed it despite the amazing plot holes. The first thing you will note that the movie takes place mostly in Africa even though the Amazon is in South America. Oh, but this is about a strange white women's tribe living the jungle so they must be Amazons. Oh, and the white women's tribe is mysterious in its nature even though the origin is very well known and no-one ever decided to go rescue the survivors of the shipwreck. I can't figure it out so it is best not to try.

Stock footage runs amok. It doesn't always match or even come close in the continuity of details department or even in film granularity. One hilarious example occurs when the lead actress looks through a telescope at the wildlife and notes how they are all in a hurry. Then we are treated to stock footage of a herd of gazelles jumping away - in slow-mo. Ha ha! We must have been shown footage of 5 or 6 different tribes of people which were lumped together in this film to represent one tribe. We even were privy to stock footage of trees which are not native to Africa - but there they are growing on the landscape. It's pretty awkward but no-one probably noticed in 1947. That wasn't the point back, I suppose. This movie is here to entertain or fill time. It does both.

The acting is surprisingly competent enough by most although there seemed to be an abundance of inappropriate smiling, especially by the lead actress who gets a good share of close-ups. Yeah, she's pretty. But for a woman who has lost her fiancé to the jungle she just doesn't seem very upset. She is simply determined to go on with the safari even though her feelings for her fiancé are seriously challenged by another man in her party.

Meanwhile, her fiancé has fallen for the 'Amazon' queen but has decided to be a rat and not tell anyone. Apparently he thought no-one would care if he simply vanished along with the rest of his earlier safari party.

Meanwhile the Amazonians get the blame for all the mysterious deaths in the region. They are determined to remain secret and keep their territory safe from outsiders - except for the one lone male which the Queen keeps for herself. Considering how awesome this tribe of white women must be since they can overwhelm a safari without much problem - you never see more than 3 of the white women tribe. In fact, they put up no defense whatsoever during the eventual incursions into their camp by the antagonists - except for a well-timed blowgun incident.

Meanwhile the Queen says she will kill to keep her man but we can still be friends. Huh?? Others have noted and I will reinforce - this is not a movie to get all serious about. These are the movies I saw when I was young and it is really quite lame - but still it has a charm. It tries to be fun and succeeds a few times.

The ending moans and groans. But at least it's happy and doesn't set you up for a sequel.

Rainy day fodder when you are not so critical. Bring a pillow.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 January 1947 (USA)

Also Known As:

Amatsoonien kuningatar

Company Credits

Production Co:

Edward F. Finney Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

61 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1