Schwarze Trommeln

There have been a lot of good movies based on classics or semiclassics that for one reason or another have slipped through the cracks and have not had legs. This excellent film based on the Kenneth Roberts novel about the revolution in Haiti is such a case. Fine cast with Dale Robertson playing the lead and Ann Francis playing the title role. French character actor Charles Korvin, kind of a poor man's Charles Boyer complete with cleft in chin, and the African-American actor, William Marshall add to the action. It's a fine film full of intrigue, action and color. Robertson is dashing, Francis is charming, Korvin is scheming and Marshall, well, is a ham (he always was: viz, his role as the ego-driven computer genius on one of the old Star Trek episodes). The story is about American colonials who are caught up in Haiti's dash for independence from France. It's too bad we can watch inane reruns of I Love Lucy on video and can't see this fine little film about an interesting time in Haiti's history. Robert's novel is fiction but well researched for local accuracy, the Marshall's King Dick character is loosely based on real characters...as was McNeil's Emperor Jones. So, if this film does show up on the late show, check it out. You'll be pleased. I remember seeing it high school after having read the novel and a history of Haiti and the Dominican Republic on the island of Hispanola.

A history lesson in brief: The Haitian people, under the leadership of Toussaint L'Ouverture, overthrew French rule in the short term. After taking over in France, Napoleon himself was determined to reconquer Haiti and assigned this task to his brother-in-law, Gen. Leclerc. The film plot in brief: Albion Hamlin is a lawyer who goes to Haiti because he needs Lydia Bailey's signature on a document, and gets caught up in the continuing war of Haitian independence. Along the way, before Hamlin gets involved with Bailey, who is engaged to one of Leclerc's officers, he also befriends "King Dick", a Haitian revolutionary and patriot.

It is William Marshall as King Dick, with his considerable acting skill and imposing presence, who dominates the proceedings in a well-written, non-stereotypical role. The resourceful King Dick saves Hamlin's life on more than one occasion, and it is his stratagem, in which Hamlin impersonates a half-witted servant, that gets them within Leclerc's stronghold. There, the patriot's mission is to assassinate a traitor to the Haitian cause.

The film and television roles that were even remotely worthy of Marshall's immense talents came few and far between, and a certain stardom of sorts finally came to him twenty years later (in BLACULA of all things). The stage probably served him better, and I remember seeing his powerful portrayal of Frederick Douglass on PBS some years back, which seemed to be from a one-man stage show. His performance in BAILEY might be slightly less noteworthy but is no less powerful.

As for the leads, Dale Robertson makes for a rather stodgy hero as Hamlin, and while Anne Francis (as the title character) is a beautiful woman, she is not a strong enough actress here. Charles Korvin is also lackluster as Andre D'Autremont, Bailey's fiancee, who serves as a somewhat sympathetic villain. Their weakly-played triangle is deservedly dwarfed by the larger story of Haitian revolutionary intrigue, where Ken Renard puts in an understated but effective appearance as the great Toussaint.

By the time you get to the end of this film, you'll probably agree that it should be renamed in honor of it's most memorable character, King Dick. This was an auspicious film debut for William Marshall, and what a career he could have had if he had been allowed to follow it with different and better opportunities. A belated salute to you, Mr. Marshall, wherever you are.

It's unlucky for "Hamlin" (Dale Robertson) that he arrives in Haiti to help his eponymous client (Anne Francis) settle her father's estate. He steps straight into a war zone as the local population have had enough of living under the Napoleonic yoke and so are galvanised under "L'Overture" (Ken Renard) to fight for their freedom. Initially, he's uninterested in their island's domestic squabbles, but after a while both he and she find themselves more and more embroiled. Thing is, Napoleon is quite fond of his Caribbean paradise and soon we learn he has despatched a fleet to reimpose order. Against such overwhelming odds, can they hope to prevail It's not a bad premiss for a story but it's really let down as it assembles a cast of unremarkable B-listers, takes to a pot-plant clad sound stage and plays a game of pirates. The turbulent history of the island with all of it's voodoo culture is underplayed as is the fact that there wasn't really much unity amongst the residents save for the fact that they were all anti-French! The enemy of my enemy is my friend sort of thing, William Marshall bucks that trend a little with an engagingly mischievous effort as "King Dick" and there are the germs of commentaries about racial equality and respect, but I don't really think Jean Negulesco quite knew who his audience was here, so we never really deliver on any front save for the predictably romantic one. It's watchable enough, but needed much more focussed storytelling.

During the 1930s, 1940s and 50s, Hollywood often shied away from topics that might offend some viewers...particularly those in the segregated south. There were some exceptions (such as "Pinky" and "Intruder in the Dust"), but generally the studios avoided any sort of controversy. After all, it was all about the bottom line and films that were pro-Black were seen as box office poison...and nasty stereotypes were more than welcome. In light of this, I am frankly shocked that "Lydia Bailey" was made in the first place.

The story is set around the beginning of the 19th century. An American lawyer, Albion Hamlin (Dale Robertson), is in Haiti to find a woman in order to get her to sign papers concerning her dead father's estate. But his timing sucks...he's there during a very turbulent time, as the revolution had recently occurred and the Black slaves had just overturned the French government. This sucks because various factions existed....and some might not take too kindly to a white man. And, a French army and navy are on their way, as Napoleon was intent on reconquering the land. Into this firestorm Albion arrived....and soon is befriended by a local militia chief, King Dick (William Marshall). What's next? Well...a LOT. See the film and learn a bit about history, as Haitian history is rarely ever talked about in American movies.

Apart from one character, Lydia herself, the writing is very good. I particularly liked Dale Robertson--his character was interesting, he was a very good and underrated actor and it was nice to see him become friends with the local Black leadership. He and they treated each other with respect and friendship...something you just didn't see in other films in 1952. The equality of their relationships was refreshing. Additionally, the movie was exciting and gave some wonderful opportunities for great Black actors...something they rarely got at that time. In particular, William Marshall (King Dick) with his gorgeous voice was just wonderful. It's really a shame that today he's mostly known for playing Blacula...not a bad set of films but ones that really never gained a wide audience. Had Marshall been born a bit later, he surely would have been seen as a great actor. The same could be said about several other terrific actors...such as Roy Glenn, Bill Walker and Ken Renard as the 'Black George Washington', who played the great Toussaint L'Overture...the real leader of the Haitian revolution.

All in all, an exciting and educational film that really surprised me...in a very positive way. Well worth seeing and seriously underrated.

A young American advocate at law called Hamlin : Dale Robertson goes to island Haiti 1802 to meet Lydia Bailey : Anne Francis in order to settle her inheritance . Meanwhile , there takes place a revolution led by the ex-slave Francois Toussain Loverture , the new black leader who abolished the cruel slavery , and subsequently the poweful king Jacobo I of Haiti . Later on , the French navy commanded by General Leclerc disembarks on the island along with his wife Paulina Bonaparte , Napoleon's sister . While the Boston lawyer supported by a tough rebel called king Dick : William Marshall attempting to help the Haitians against the invading French .

This is a historical drama about Haiti's struggles for independence from Napoleonic France with a loving triangle , passion , emotion , escapes , jungle pursuits , battles and voodoo dancing . The picture based on the novel with the same title written by Kenneth Roberts has an interesting historical background about Haiti independence , as the Caribbean island is war-torn in the strife between the Haitians and the French , including historic roles as the notorious leader Toussian , Paulina Bonaparte and his husband General Lecrerc who attempted to retake possesion of the country . It stars Dale Robertson as the lawyer who looks for the client's daughter living on the revolution-torn Haiti and with whom falls in love , she is the gorgeous Anne Francis , unforgettable in Forbidden Planet . Support cast is pretty good such as Charles Korwin , William Marshall , and brief appearances from Robert Evans , Roy Glenn as Mirabaeau and Juanita Moore .

Colorful cinematography in Technicolor by Harry Jackson , shot in Calabasas , California and Ranch Twentieth Century Fox . Evocative production design and art direction from Lyle Wheeler , Paul Fox and Thomas Little , adding excessive matte painting . Thrilling as well as emotive musical score by the classy composer Hugo Friedhofer .The motion picture was well directed by Jean Negulesco . He was a filmmaker of both popular , polished entertainments , as well as critically acclaimed and he directed all kinds of genres with penchant for musical , drama and comedy . As he realized various dramatic films in the 1940s and 1950s . He helmed a realist war drama : Three came home with Claudette Colbert , a WWII film: The conspirators with Hedy Lamar , Paul Henreid , and made his version of sinking Titanic 1953 with Barbara Stanwick and the hit : Johnny Belinda .Subsequently , he directed : Humoresque , Road house and a remake : The rains of Ranchipur with Richard Burton and Lana Turner , the comedy : How to marry with a millionaire with Marilyn Monroe , Betty Grable ; the colorful movie : Boy on a dolphin with Sophia Loren , Alan Ladd and the musical movies : Daddy long legs 1955 with Fred Astaire and Three coins in the fountain ; furthermore , a Bette Davis vehicle : Phone call from a stranger . His last and unknown films were dramedy as The pleasure seekers, The invincible sex and Hello goodbye . Being his most successful and prestigious movie : Mask of Dimitrios with Peter Lorre .