Let us ask you something: If you were to shoot a movie in Kenya, and all that goes with it, e.g. transportation, passports, permits, wouldn’t you at least base your project on an Oscar-worthy script?
We wondered about this as we watched Beyond Mombasa (1956), an action-adventure-thriller filmed (mostly) in Kenya. The story centres on an American (Cornel Wilde) who travels to Africa to look at a uranium mine his brother is Mixed Up In.
Alas! Just prior to arrival, Wilde’s brother is murdered by a strange cult of “Leopard Men” who want to eliminate foreigners appropriating Africa’s natural resources.
It’s up to Wilde to figure out What Happened Here, since the police clearly aren’t doing their Job. He enlists the help of an anthropologist (Donna Reed) and her philanthropist uncle (Leo Genn).
Filmmakers have included beautiful footage and interesting animals in this film, such as giraffes, elephants, and hippopotamuses. The Kenyan countryside is stunning; it’s everything you’d want to see in a movie set in Africa.
But. The story is full of plot holes and improbabilities, and you can’t help but think, These guys went all the way there and this is what they come up with?
Then there’s the wardrobe, which is, at times, rather puzzling. In one scene, our Intrepid Adventures camp in the wilderness, but make certain to change their outfits for dinner. (Reed sports a Barbie-pink cocktail dress, while Genn relaxes in a tie and suit jacket.)
Also, it’s unfortunate that Wilde was cast in the leading role Because! Of! His! Acting! Don’t you dare say Cornel Wilde isn’t acting! He’s Acting, baby!!!
The rest of the cast is quite good, though. Genn, for example, is believable as a man dedicated to helping Africans, and Reed gamely makes the most of her blasé role.
But this is a film in need of a rescue. In our opinion, the best thing filmmakers did – besides including fabulous African footage – is hire British actor Christopher Lee.
About time you showed up, Christopher Lee. Image: FB
Of course you know Christopher Lee*, famous for playing Dracula in the Hammer Films series, as well as Count Dooku in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, and Saruman in the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.
He was a tall man with a deep voice, which would give anyone a commanding presence. But Lee also had charisma and talent. It seems to us his characters had unusual depth, that there were fascinating stories and secrets they would never share with us.
But, let us return to today’s film. Here’s why Beyond Mombasa needs Christopher Lee:
He oozes a distrustful oiliness, and you can’t take your eyes off him.
He speaks with a French accent.
He seems to be the only person Around Here who knows what he’s doing.
His character can be counted on to not undergo any kind of redemption. He is utterly un-reform-able.
He dresses like a dandy.
What’s not to like about a talented actor in a plum role like this?
Wilde and Lee make an uneasy alliance. Image: Mondo 70
Many Hollywood folks travelled to Africa in the 1950s to make movies such as The African Queen (1951), The Snows of Kilimanjaro (1952), and Mogambo (1953).
Our film, Beyond Mombasa, is based on a work by James Eastman, “The Mark of the Leopard”, which is either a short story or an unpublished novel; sources don’t seem to agree.
It was produced by an offshoot of Columbia Pictures, and was co-produced by Donna Reed’s production company, Todon, which she owned with husband Tony Owens. (According to Wikipedia, “Owen [sic] 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.'”¹)
Well over half the crew members on a Todon film were British, which enabled the producers to take advantage of subsidies from the British government. It also allowed them to tap into a wonderful pool of talent which included, in this case, Christopher Lee.
We’ve given you a rather lopsided review of Beyond Mombasa, but it’s still an entertaining film – provided you don’t dive in with high expectations. Yet, it’s well worth seeing Christopher Lee in action.
Beyond Mombasa: starring Cornel Wilde, Donna Reed, Leo Genn. Directed by George Marshall. Written by Richard English & Gene Levitt. Columbia Pictures, 1956, Technicolor, 90 mins.
I’ve always loved Christopher Lee and found him fascinating in his elegant and decided cruelty (perfect as Scaramanga in 007 – The Man with the Golden Gun). If you say he can save even this pretty awkward movie, I believe you. If he had been on the African Queen instead of Bogart he would have drowned Katherine Hepburn in the mud straight away.
Thanks for making me laugh with the description of why we need Christopher Lee in this movie, I would love to hear your take of him in Airport 77 if you’ve ever seen it. Thanks for joining the blogathon with this good fun post!
‘He oozes a distrustful oiliness.” This is the kind of writing that has kept me hanging around here for all these years. I love it! That, and all the pointers to movies I’ve never seen, or heard of, like this one. I appreciate this. 🙂 Terrific article! You. Are. A. Terrific. Writer.
Agree, Christopher Lee was very handsome, especially in these bearded shots from this film. You can always count on this fine actor to liven up the dreariest film. I always find him captivating and charming, whether he plays a good guy or a villain!
A very entertaining review of a film I have not seen!
Though, I almost want to see it now for the interesting wardrobe choices. Oh, and of course for Christopher Lee!
Fun (and funny) review! Despite the movie’s aforementioned flaws, this sounds like a must-see for Christopher Lee fans. Thank you so much for joining our little blogathon! 🙂
Fun (and funny) review! Despite the movie’s aforementioned flaws, I need to seek this out. it would be great to see a prime example of Sir Lee, just before his breakout Hammer roles. Thank you so much for joining our little blogathon! 🙂
Fun (and funny) review! Despite the movie’s aforementioned flaws, I feel compelled to seek this one out, for Lee’s sake. It would be interesting to see the work he was doing, just prior to his breakout roles at Hammer. Thank you so much for joining our little blogathon! 🙂
As a person who has been allergic to formal dress my whole life, I’ve always been fascinated by 50s movies depictions of characters wearing suits, ties, dresses and hats EVERYWHERE, no matter the conditions, no matter what. It sounds like Beyond Mombasa ups the ante to the point of ridiculousness. Also, it sounds like Tony Owens is the exception that proves the general rule that no one sets out to make a bad movie. I will have to keep a lookout for this one! Great review, it made me chuckle several times!
Oh yeah, those 1950s dress codes, hey? I nearly spewed my glass of water when I saw those actors wearing such glam gear in the African wilderness. But, despite everything, this movie keeps a brisk pace and is quite entertaining…for good and not-so-good reasons.
Silver Screenings 
I’ve always loved Christopher Lee and found him fascinating in his elegant and decided cruelty (perfect as Scaramanga in 007 – The Man with the Golden Gun). If you say he can save even this pretty awkward movie, I believe you. If he had been on the African Queen instead of Bogart he would have drowned Katherine Hepburn in the mud straight away.
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Bahaha! The thought of Christopher Lee on a boat with Katharine Hepburn!
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Thanks for making me laugh with the description of why we need Christopher Lee in this movie, I would love to hear your take of him in Airport 77 if you’ve ever seen it. Thanks for joining the blogathon with this good fun post!
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I really liked him in Airport ’77, although I was a little miffed that he didn’t have more scenes. He was terrific with Lee Grant, wasn’t he?
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That’s exactly what I thought, they had a lovely chemistry… have you seen this? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOx2CwUxOsU
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‘He oozes a distrustful oiliness.” This is the kind of writing that has kept me hanging around here for all these years. I love it! That, and all the pointers to movies I’ve never seen, or heard of, like this one. I appreciate this. 🙂 Terrific article! You. Are. A. Terrific. Writer.
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Sarah, you’ve made my whole week. Thank you. I hope you get the chance to see this film. I’d love to hear your take on it.
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I didn’t realize that the young Christopher Lee was so easy on the eyes!
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Haha! I know, right?
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Agree, Christopher Lee was very handsome, especially in these bearded shots from this film. You can always count on this fine actor to liven up the dreariest film. I always find him captivating and charming, whether he plays a good guy or a villain!
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He truly does elevate a film, doesn’t he? I don’t think he’s ever “phoned in” a performance, has he?
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A very entertaining review of a film I have not seen!
Though, I almost want to see it now for the interesting wardrobe choices. Oh, and of course for Christopher Lee!
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Haha! The wardrobe is fabulous, but wildly unrealistic. I hope you get the chance to see this crazy film.
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OMG! This one sounds too awful to miss!
Thanks for this review! 🙂
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Haha! I think this one deserves the “Saturday Matinee” treatment.
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Fun (and funny) review! Despite the movie’s aforementioned flaws, this sounds like a must-see for Christopher Lee fans. Thank you so much for joining our little blogathon! 🙂
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Thanks, Barry! Christopher Lee and Leo Genn make this movie. Lee is SO charismatic here, the movie seems limp when he’s not on screen.
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Fun (and funny) review! Despite the movie’s aforementioned flaws, I need to seek this out. it would be great to see a prime example of Sir Lee, just before his breakout Hammer roles. Thank you so much for joining our little blogathon! 🙂
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Fun (and funny) review! Despite the movie’s aforementioned flaws, I feel compelled to seek this one out, for Lee’s sake. It would be interesting to see the work he was doing, just prior to his breakout roles at Hammer. Thank you so much for joining our little blogathon! 🙂
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Thanks for hosting this tribute to Lee. I’m looking forward to learning more about him.
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As a person who has been allergic to formal dress my whole life, I’ve always been fascinated by 50s movies depictions of characters wearing suits, ties, dresses and hats EVERYWHERE, no matter the conditions, no matter what. It sounds like Beyond Mombasa ups the ante to the point of ridiculousness. Also, it sounds like Tony Owens is the exception that proves the general rule that no one sets out to make a bad movie. I will have to keep a lookout for this one! Great review, it made me chuckle several times!
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Oh yeah, those 1950s dress codes, hey? I nearly spewed my glass of water when I saw those actors wearing such glam gear in the African wilderness. But, despite everything, this movie keeps a brisk pace and is quite entertaining…for good and not-so-good reasons.
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This sounds like a fun flick! You had me with “cult of leopard men” and the presence of Christopher Lee just reinforces my desire to see it.
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Rick, this film deserves the Classic Film & TV Café treatment.
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Thanks for sharing this one! I haven’t seen it yet.
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It’s a fun movie as long as you don’t expect too much. The Kenyan scenery is so beautiful.
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WOW! I have never seen this one! I will add it to my ever growing “must-see” list. Thanks for the review!
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Christopher Lee is terrific here. It might have been interesting if his character had been the main (anti)hero.
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Christopher Lee made everything better, didn’t he? Just as you make the blogosphere better. Cheers!
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Aw, thanks, you! Here’s to Christopher Lee – and to you. 🙂
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Backatcha!
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