Walter Huston plays the brutal figure who lives in Africa in a wheelchair and orders everyone around. He seems to have a sexual relationship with Lupe Velez, misused by the script and director as she so often was. The movie's attitude toward natives of the area -- known, as they were for decades in adventure movies just as natives -- is insulting but of its time. I am writing on Martin Luther King Day; so it does seem a bit ironic.
The Huston character's primary goal in life is revenge against the man who put him in the wheelchair and this he plots through debasement of the man's daughter. Virginia Bruce, whom we first meet in a convent school, is very convincing as the slatternly alcoholic he turns her into. She is rescued by a drug-addicted doctor who happens into the area -- this is sort of a "Petrified Forest," African style.
Huston discovers that she is actually his own daughter and this changes him entirely and a little implausibly, not to mention in a soap opera-like way.
It's a weird and gripping movie, though; make no mistake, and it's definitely worth watching.
Huston discovers that she is actually his own daughter and this changes him entirely and a little implausibly, not to mention in a soap opera-like way.
It's a spooky movie, though; make no mistake, and definitely worth watching.
The Huston character's primary goal in life is revenge against the man who put him in the wheelchair and this he plots through debasement of the man's daughter. Virginia Bruce, whom we first meet in a convent school, is very convincing as the slatternly alcoholic he turns her into. She is rescued by a drug-addicted doctor who happens into the area -- this is sort of a "Petrified Forest," African style.
Huston discovers that she is actually his own daughter and this changes him entirely and a little implausibly, not to mention in a soap opera-like way.
It's a weird and gripping movie, though; make no mistake, and it's definitely worth watching.
Huston discovers that she is actually his own daughter and this changes him entirely and a little implausibly, not to mention in a soap opera-like way.
It's a spooky movie, though; make no mistake, and definitely worth watching.