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Watusi (film)
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Wikipedia article
'Watusi' (also known as 'King Solomon's Mines 2') is a 1959 American adventure film, It is the sequel to the 1950 film 'King Solomon's Mines'. The film was directed by Kurt Neumann and starring George Montgomery, Taina Elg, David Farrar and Rex Ingram. It was produced by Al Zimbalist and Donald Zimbalist. The screenplay was by James Clavell loosely based on the 1885 novel 'King Solomon's Mines' by H. Rider Haggard.[https://search.proquest.com/docview/1305825447 "WATUSI"] (1959), 'Monthly Film Bulletin', 26, 63.
Plot summary
The film opens in the British Protectorate of Tanganyika in 1919, shortly after the conclusion of World War I. Harry Quatermain (George Montgomery) is the son of Allan Quatermain who first set out on the quest for the source of Solomon's wealth, and he is determined to succeed where his father failed. He goes to Africa with his good friend Rick Cobb (David Farrar) and as they continue on their journey, Erica Neuler (Taina Elg) joins them. She is the daughter of a missionary who has been killed by a local tribe. Harry cannot hide his antagonism toward Erica. She is German, and Harry's mother and sister were killed at sea by Germans in World War I when their vessel was attacked by a U-boat, afterwards Harry had to identify their bodies, and he has harbored anti-German sentiments ever since doing so.
Cast
* George Montgomery as Harry Quatermain
* Taina Elg as Erica Neuler
* David Farrar as Rick Cobb
* Rex Ingram as Umbopa
* Dan Seymour as Mohamet
* Robert Goodwin as Jim-Jim
* Anthony M. Davis as Amtaga
* Paul Thompson as Gagool
* Harold Dyrenforth as Wilhelm von Kentner
* Charles Swain as M'ban
* Martin Wilkins as Wounded Native
Production
The film was originally known as 'Return to King Solomon's Mines' and was the first movie produced for the studio by Al Zimbalist since he signed a contract with them. Director Kurt Neumann had just made 'The Fly' (1958) which was written by James Clavell and Clavell wrote the screenplay for this. Taina Elg was under contract to MGM at the time and had just made 'Les Girls' for them.Hopper, H. (1958, Apr 10). [https://search.proquest.com/docview/167280229 "Roz Russell may do 'Mame' as musical"] 'Los Angeles Times'
The film reuses some footage from a previous MGM adaptation of the novel, 'King Solomon's Mines' (1950) starring Deborah Kerr and Stewart Granger.
During filming, Irma Neumann, wife of director Kurt, died. A few weeks after filming completed, the director himself died as well.[https://search.proquest.com/docview/167255402 "Kurt Neumann, director, dies in mystery"] (1958, Aug 22). 'Los Angeles Times'
Reception
Box office
According to MGM records the film earned $695,000 in the US and Canada and $850,000 elsewhere resulting in a profit of $79,000.References
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