King Solomon's Mines

Despite strong set-pieces, the short runtime and breakneck pace don’t allow the necessary spirit of adventure to foment. It’s breezy enough entertainment, but Hardwicke’s Allan Quartermain deserves a more prominent role in his own story, while Paul Robeson's folk songs are somewhat out of place coming from an African tribesman, clumsily tacked on to make the most out of his magnificent baritone.

British Africa adventure where Paul Robeson's voice rumbles across the savannas! For me the movie starts off fairly weak. It's when they encounters the savage tribe led by the cool dude in white fur it starts to get exciting. The dangerous environment. The nasty old witch. And the erupting volcano. That with Robeson towering over everyone, demising them even more with his deep songs. Anna Lee looked pretty. Roland Young had a few bits for comic relief, but I didn't feel they gave him enough.

Played like it was just a thin cut above a serial, and it was edited that way too (lots of abrupt fades). A couple of quixotic musical interludes as well (so it was kinda like Oklahoma in the desert). Anna Lee's acting style grew a trifle relentless. Still, at least the tribal music was pretty damn funky (even if their leader was wearing a cockatoo hat).