Jungle Drums of Africa
Encyclopedia
Jungle Drums of Africa is a 12-episode, American serial film, shot in black-and-white
, which was an original commissioned screenplay by Ronald Davidson
produced by Franklin Adreon
and directed by Fred C. Brannon
for Republic Pictures
. The story is set in Kenya
, and involves the efforts of an American uranium processing company's representative and a woman medical missionary, to thwart the efforts of agents of a "foreign power", abetted by a disaffected native witchdoctor, to gain control of a large uranium deposit on lands owned by the latter's tribe. This serial features black American actors in major roles, including that of a college-educated chieftain.
, and involves the efforts of an American uranium processing company's representative and a woman medical missionary, to thwart the efforts of agents of a "foreign power", abetted by a disaffected native witchdoctor, to gain control of a large uranium deposit on lands owned by the latter's tribe.
was $167,758 (a $5,082, or 2.9%, under spend). It was the most expensive Republic serial of 1953.
It was filmed between 29 September and 18 October 1952 under the working title
Robin Hood of Darkest Africa. The serial's production number was 1935.
This was followed by a re-release of Adventures of Captain Marvel
, re-titled as Return of Captain Marvel, instead of a new serial. The next new serial, Canadian Mounties vs. Atomic Invaders, followed in the summer.
Source:
Black-and-white
Black-and-white, often abbreviated B/W or B&W, is a term referring to a number of monochrome forms in visual arts.Black-and-white as a description is also something of a misnomer, for in addition to black and white, most of these media included varying shades of gray...
, which was an original commissioned screenplay by Ronald Davidson
Ronald Davidson
Ronald Davidson was an American screenwriter. He was born in Arizona and died in San Diego, California.Ronald Davidson started his career as a short story writer and in 1943 was appointed as story editor for Republic Studios movie serials and some feature films...
produced by Franklin Adreon
Franklin Adreon
Franklin "Pete" Adreon was an American film and television director, producer, screenwriter, and actor.-Early life and career:...
and directed by Fred C. Brannon
Fred C. Brannon
Fred C. Brannon was an American film director of the 1940s and 1950s.He directed over 40 films between 1945 and his death.His first film The Purple Monster Strikes in 1945 was co-directed with Spencer Gordon Bennett....
for Republic Pictures
Republic Pictures
Republic Pictures was an independent film production-distribution corporation with studio facilities, operating from 1934 through 1959, and was best known for specializing in westerns, movie serials and B films emphasizing mystery and action....
. The story is set in Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, and involves the efforts of an American uranium processing company's representative and a woman medical missionary, to thwart the efforts of agents of a "foreign power", abetted by a disaffected native witchdoctor, to gain control of a large uranium deposit on lands owned by the latter's tribe. This serial features black American actors in major roles, including that of a college-educated chieftain.
Plot
The story is set in KenyaKenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, and involves the efforts of an American uranium processing company's representative and a woman medical missionary, to thwart the efforts of agents of a "foreign power", abetted by a disaffected native witchdoctor, to gain control of a large uranium deposit on lands owned by the latter's tribe.
Cast
- Clayton MooreClayton MooreClayton Moore was an American actor best known for playing the fictional western character The Lone Ranger from 1949–1951 and 1954-1957 on the television series of the same name.-Early years:...
as Alan King - Phyllis CoatesPhyllis CoatesPhyllis Coates is an American film and television actress. She is perhaps best known for her portrayal of reporter Lois Lane in the 1951 film Superman and the Mole Men, and during the first season of the Adventures of Superman television series.-Early life and career:After graduating from high...
as Carol Bryant - Johnny Spencer as Bert Hadley
- Henry RowlandHenry Rowland (actor)Henry Rowland was an American film actor.-Biography:Rowland had heavily Teutonic facial features, making him an invaluable commodity in wartime films, even though he was born in the American Midwest. Rowland "heiled" and "achtunged" his way through films ranging such as Casablanca to Russ Meyer's...
as Kurgan - John Cason as Regas
- Roy GlennRoy Glenn-Career:Glenn's career spanned five decades, beginning in radio with shows such as Amos 'n Andy and The Jack Benny Show. He made numerous appearances on television, from its early days until 1970. His first film appearance was in 1937; his career included roles in A Raisin in the Sun , with Sidney...
as Naganto, the witch doctor - Bill Walker as Chief Douanga
- Steve Mitchell as Gauss, the store clerk henchman
- Don BlackmanDon BlackmanDon Blackman is an American jazz-funk pianist, singer, songwriter, producer born in Queens, New York.Blackman's neighbor as a child was Charles McPherson, and while still a teenager he played in McPherson's ensemble with Sam Jones and Louis Hayes...
as Naganto
Production
Jungle Drums of Darkest Africa was budgeted at $172,840 although the final negative costNegative cost
Negative cost is the cost of actually producing and shooting a film. It does not include such costs as distribution and promotion.Low-budget movies, for example The Blair Witch Project, can have promotional expenses that are much larger than the negative cost.The term comes from the costs up to the...
was $167,758 (a $5,082, or 2.9%, under spend). It was the most expensive Republic serial of 1953.
It was filmed between 29 September and 18 October 1952 under the working title
Working title
A working title, sometimes called a production title, is the temporary name of a product or project used during its development, usually used in filmmaking, television production, novel, video game, or music album.-Purpose:...
Robin Hood of Darkest Africa. The serial's production number was 1935.
Stunts
- Tom SteeleTom Steele (stuntman)Tom Steele was a stunt man and actor, best remembered for appearing in serials, especially those produced by Republic Pictures, in both capacities.-Early life:...
as Alan King/Third Constable (doubling Clayton Moore)
Theatrical
Jungle Drums of Darkest Africas official release date is 21 January 1953, although this is actually the date the sixth chapter was made available to film exchanges.This was followed by a re-release of Adventures of Captain Marvel
Adventures of Captain Marvel
Adventures of Captain Marvel is a 1941 twelve-chapter film serial directed by John English and William Witney for Republic Pictures, adapted from the popular Captain Marvel comic book character then appearing in Fawcett Comics publications such as Whiz Comics and Captain Marvel Adventures...
, re-titled as Return of Captain Marvel, instead of a new serial. The next new serial, Canadian Mounties vs. Atomic Invaders, followed in the summer.
Television
Jungle Drums of Darkest Africa was one of twenty-six Republic serials re-released as a film on television in 1966. The title of the film was changed to U-238 and the Witch Doctor. This version was cut down to 100-minutes in length.Critical reception
Harmon and Glut describes this serial as "an uninteresting arrangement of stock footage and clichés."Chapter titles
- Jungle Ambush (20min)
- Savage Strategy (13min 20s)
- The Beast Fiend (13min 20s)
- Voodoo Vengeance (13min 20s)
- The Lion Pit (13min 20s)
- Underground Tornado (13min 20s)
- Cavern of Doom (13min 20s)
- The Water Trap (13min 20s)
- Trail to Destruction (13min 20s)
- The Flaming Ring (13min 20s) - a re-cap chapter
- Bridge of Death (13min 20s)
- The Avenging River (13min 20s)
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