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Beyond Mombasa

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Beyond Mombasa
Directed byGeorge Marshall
Written byRichard English
Gene Levitt
Based onThe Mark of the Leopard
unpublished novel
by James Eastwood
Produced byTony Owen
Adrian D. Worker
StarringCornel Wilde
Donna Reed
Leo Genn
CinematographyFreddie Young
Edited byErnest Walter
Music byHumphrey Searle
Production
companies
Hemisphere Pictures
Todon Productions
Distributed byColumbia Pictures
Release dates
  • 29 October 1956 (1956-10-29) (United Kingdom)
  • 30 May 1957 (1957-05-30) (New York City)
  • 1 June 1957 (1957-06-01) (United States)
Running time
90 minutes
CountriesUnited Kingdom
United States
LanguageEnglish

Beyond Mombasa is a 1956 British-American Technicolor adventure film directed by George Marshall and starring Cornel Wilde, Donna Reed and Leo Genn.[1][2] It was set in Kenya and shot on location there and at the Elstree Studios near London. The film's sets were designed by the art director Elliot Scott.

Plot

Matt Campbell arrives in Kenya, where his brother George is reported missing. A man named Ralph Hoyt tells him that George has been killed by members of the "Leopard Men" cult.

Matt is introduced to Hoyt's niece, Ann Wilson, 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, who was helping George search for a valuable uranium mine. Hoyt claims the mine doesn't exist.

Another business partner, Elliott Hastings, claims that George's body has been cremated but he did find a map. An expedition beyond Mombasa is formed, guided by Ketimi 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

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.[3] They co produced with Todon, the production company of agent-turned producer Tony Owens and his wife, actor Donna Reed.[4]

It was originally named Mark of the Leopard.[5] It was then known as Mombasa and Black Mamba.[6]

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.[7][8] Leo Genn signed to do the film after pulling out of Run for the Sun.[9] A key support role went to Ron Randell.[10]

Shooting

Filming took place in the studio in London and on location in Africa. It was to have begun in July 1955.[11] Filming didn't start until February 1956.[12][13]

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."[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Beyond Mombasa (1956) - George Marshall | Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related | AllMovie".
  2. ^ BEYOND MOMBASA Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 23, Iss. 264, (Jan 1, 1956): 139.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ a b A TOWN CALLED HOLLYWOOD: Studio Has 4 McGowans, Not to Mention a Megowan Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times 26 Aug 1956: D2.
  5. ^ Jay Robinson, Lee Grant Named for 'Storm Fear;' Holt Plans 'Texas Lady' Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 30 Mar 1955: B11.
  6. ^ Todon Doing 6th Picture Los Angeles Times 5 Feb 1956: D3.
  7. ^ PRYOR, THOMAS M. (22 Dec 1955). "ABBOTT, COSTELLO SLATE NEW MOVIE: Comedy Team Will Star in 'Dance With Me, Henry' for United Artists". New York Times.
  8. ^ PRYOR, THOMAS M. (17 February 1956). "PLAY BY WILDER TO BECOME FILM: Paramount Will Screen 'The Matchmaker,' Stage Hit-- 'Chalk Garden' Eyed 'Best Things in Life'". New York Times.
  9. ^ Louella Parsons: Leigh Snowden Ends Plan for Christmas Tour The Washington Post and Times-Herald 10 Dec 1955: 14.
  10. ^ Vagg, Stephen (August 10, 2019). "Unsung Aussie Actors – Ron Randell: A Top Twenty". Filmink.
  11. ^ Anne Francis Heroine of Jet Film; 'Nightfall', Best Seller, Purchased Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times (1923-1995); Los Angeles, Calif. [Los Angeles, Calif]06 July 1955: b9.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ Star Ends Safari: With Elephants, Monkeys By Melita Knowles Staff Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor. The Christian Science Monitor 1 May 1956: 14.
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