Home | Movies By Year | Movies from 1956
Beyond Mombasa
Buy Beyond Mombasa now from AmazonFirst, read the Wikipedia article. Then, scroll down to see what other TopShelfReviews readers thought about the movie. And once you've experienced the movie, tell everyone what you thought about it.
Wikipedia article
'Beyond Mombasa' is a 1956 British/American Technicolor adventure film starring Cornel Wilde and Donna Reed.BEYOND MOMBASA
Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 23, Iss. 264, (Jan 1, 1956): 139. It was directed by George Marshall, set in Kenya and filmed there and at a London studio.
Plot
Matt Campbell (Cornel Wilde) arrives in Kenya, where his brother George is reported missing. A man named Ralph Hoyt (Leo Genn) tells him that George has been killed by members of the "Leopard Men" cult.
Matt is introduced to Hoyt's niece, Ann Wilson (Donna Reed), an anthropologist, who is puzzled by Matt's reluctance to go to Mombasa for his brother's funeral. Matt also meets big-game hunter Gil Rossi (Christopher Lee), who was helping George search for a valuable uranium mine. Hoyt claims the mine doesn't exist.
Another business partner, Elliott Hastings (Ron Randell), claims that George's body has been cremated but he did find a map. An expedition beyond Mombasa is formed, guided by Ketimi (Dan Jackson) and other local tribesmen. A shared experience with a charge of hippos brings Matt and Ann closer together, while Gil is nearly killed by a crocodile before it is shot by Hastings.
Tribesmen wearing leopard disguises attack Hastings that night. Ketimi is then killed by a poison dart, causing the other tribesmen to leave. Locating a shaft to the mine, Elliot, Matt and Ann descend into it. She discovers to her horror that Hoyt, her uncle, has murdered Gil with a blow gun. Hoyt confesses to killing Ketimi and paying other natives to disguise themselves as the mythical Leopard Men.
Matt and Ann are about to become the next victims, but Ketimi's fellow tribesmen reappear and take their revenge.
Cast
* Cornel Wilde as Matt Campbell
* Donna Reed as Ann Wilson
* Leo Genn as Ralph Hoyt
* Ron Randell as Elliot Hastings
* Christopher Lee as Gil Rossi
* Dan Jackson as Ketimi
Production
Development
The film was made by Hemisphere, an off shoot of Columbia under the supervision of Mike Frankovich which shot films outside the US.FILM FILE ON A BUSY EXPATRIATE: Quick on the Draw Productions Galore Amicable Parting Prime Promoter By STEPHEN WATTS LONDON. New York Times 11 Mar 1956: 134. They co produced with Todon, the production company of agent-turned producer Tony Owens and his wife, actor Donna Reed.A TOWN CALLED HOLLYWOOD: Studio Has 4 McGowans, Not to Mention a MegowanScheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times 26 Aug 1956: D2.
It was originally named 'Mark of the Leopard'.Jay Robinson, Lee Grant Named for 'Storm Fear;' Holt Plans 'Texas Lady'
Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 30 Mar 1955: B11. It was then known as 'Mombasa' and 'Black Mamba'.Todon Doing 6th Picture
Los Angeles Times 5 Feb 1956: D3.
The film was to star Aldo Ray but he turned down the role. As a result Columbia put him on suspension. Cornel Wilde replaced him in December 1955. Leo Genn signed to do the film after pulling out of 'Run for the Sun'.Louella Parsons: Leigh Snowden Ends Plan for Christmas Tour
The Washington Post and Times-Herald 10 Dec 1955: 14. A key support role went to Ron Randell.
Shooting
Filming took place in the studio in London and on location in Africa. It was to have begun in July 1955.Anne Francis Heroine of Jet Film; 'Nightfall', Best Seller, PurchasedSchallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times (1923-1995); Los Angeles, Calif. [Los Angeles, Calif]06 July 1955: b9. Filming didn't start until February 1956.MARILYN MONROE WINS PACT FIGHT: Star, Fox Agree to 7-Year Non-Exclusive Contract for Total of 4 Pictures New Film for Doris Day Switches at Fox Of Local Origin
By THOMAS M. PRYOR New York Times 5 Jan 1956: 27.Star Ends Safari: With Elephants, Monkeys
By Melita Knowles Staff Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor. The Christian Science Monitor 1 May 1956: 14.
After the film was completed, Owen said all of his films "stink - but they made money." However he said 'Beyond Mombasa' "is the first one I've done that isn't lousy - and I'm worried."
See also
* List of American films of 1956
References
Buy Beyond Mombasa now from Amazon
<-- Return to movies from 1956