As Minas do Rei Salomão

I have just seen this adventure movie for the first time and found it very enjoyable.

A hunter and his guide set out across the desert to search for King Solomon's Mines so he can get hold of the treasure. A party, including his daughter who is worried about him follows him and after confronting a dust storm and running out of water, they reach there. Natives find them and after a battle for the throne, the mines are eventually reached and the young woman is reunited with her dad. A volcano erupts and they manage to escape and set off for home, accompanied by 100 natives for the journey across the desert as a thank you for helping the native leader get his throne back.

The movie features an excellent performance by Paul Robeson, whose songs help the movie along nicely. This also stars Cedric Hardwicke, Roland Young and Anna Lee. The special effects were good for their time, especially the cave scenes with the volcano.

This movie has since been remade several times and the best version is the 1950 one with Stuart Granger, which I also have in my movie collection.

This movie is worth checking out. Great fun.

Rating: 3 stars out of 5.

In darkest Africa, so legends say, lies the secret location of KING SOLOMON'S MINES, a great mountain full of heaps of diamonds. Surrounded by a seemingly impassable desert, it is said no white man has ever set foot there. Africa's greatest hunter & guide, Allan Quartermain, does not believe the mines exist, but he is forced against his better judgment to lead a small party over the desert ... and right into a fierce tribal civil war.

This is a very fine adventure film, with much to recommend it. Plenty of excitement, a little romance, and a few well-sung songs help push the plot along. Footage shot in Africa enhance the atmosphere of this Gaumont-British film.

Sir Cedric Hardwicke is a sturdy, stoic Quartermain, just the sort of no-nonsense fellow you would want guiding your expedition. American opera star Paul Robeson has marvelous presence as a mysterious native who seems to know a bit too much about the lands they are seeking. Arthur Sinclair & Anna Lee are the two Irish treasure seekers who spark much of the action. John Loder & Roland Young (very droll) nicely play the two English chaps who finance the trek. Robert Adams is the nasty tribal usurper who gets in their way.

Strangely receiving no screen credit, stage actress Sydney Fairbrother is nothing short of terrific as the ancient, filthy witch doctor Gagool, `older than the memory of the oldest man.' The scene in which she stalks about, calmly choosing those to instantly die, is a classic of mounting terror.

Mr. Robeson uses his magnificent voice in three songs: `Walk! Walk!', `Climbin' Up' & `Kukuwana'.

In reviewing people of color in film in chronological order for Black History Month, we're now in 1937 when once again-like the last two of his I reviewed-Paul Robeson is involved in a movie that takes place in a jungle with several tribal natives. Among them are Robert Adams and Ecco Homo Toto, both of whom previously appeared with Robeson in Song of Freedom. Anyway, the singer/actor is traveling with several Caucasian explorers like Allan Quatermain (Sir Cedric Hardwicke), Kathy O'Brien (Anna Lee), and her father, Patric (Arthur Sinclair). As usual, Robeson provides many compelling moments whenever singing especially when up a mountain that provides echos. Things don't really pick up until the last 30 minutes but if you don't mind some of the exposition that comes before that, you won't be bored. So on that note, this version of King Solomon's Mines is worth a look. P.S. The director is one Robert Stevenson who was married to Ms. Lee at the time and would later provide Walt Disney with some of his most successful live action features of which one of those, Mary Poppins, would get Stevenson his only Oscar nomination.

There have been five attempts at putting H. Rider Haggard's novel on the silver screen. Some are good, others better, a few in Black and white with new ones in color, but having seen them all, I conclude, this offering called " King Solomon's Mines " with Paul Robeson is the best. The early cinematic film is stark, grainy and vastly lacking in panoramic scenery. In addition, it's cast members are a bit cardboard in nature and the story lacks coherent structure. However, for all it's shortcomings, Paul Robeson carries the film and more than makes up for it's early novelty. The simple story is bare bones and tells of an Irishman, Patrick O'Brian (Patrick Sinclair) who learns of a fabulous treasure in the African Mountains and sets out for it, leaving his daughter Anna Lee (Kathleen O'Brian) to chase after him. The famous adventurer Allan Quatermain as played by Sir Cedric Hardwicke reluctantly joins her, Cmdr. John Good (Roland Young), Sir Henry Curtis (John Loder) and returning warrior Umbopa who seeks his rightful place as tribal Chief. The movie is a bit slow but expected for early Hollywood. Some dry humor accompanies the interesting tribal conflict and traditional formula. Despite its failings, the story becomes secondary when privileged to hear the impressive, beautiful bass voice of Paul Robeson. That alone makes this film a Classic. Wonderfully preserved for all audiences. Recommended. ****

This first version of H. Rider Haggard's 1884 novel has a wonderful cast (Paul Robeson, Cedric Hardwicke, Anna Lee, Roland Young and John Loder), excellent production values which includes a bubbling volcano pit, and good special effects when the lava starts eroding the walls of the crater. Even with black and white photography, it is very comparable to the 1950 Technicolor version (with Stewart Granger and Deborah Kerr) and better than the 1985 version (with Richard Chamberlain and Sharon Stone). Because I am partial to Paul Robeson, I didn't mind the intrusion into the narrative of his singing three songs with his magnificent voice. (Who can make a film with Robeson without having him sing?) The movie is full of suspense, action (when the tribes battle each other) and some comedy provided mostly by Roland Young. Overall a stirring addition to the genre that should please its fans.