''African Manhunt'' is a 1955 American

adventure film An adventure film is a form of adventure fiction, and is a genre of film. Subgenres of adventure films include swashbuckler films, pirate films, and survival films. Adventure films may also be combined with other film genres such as action, an ...

directed by

Seymour Friedman Seymour Friedman (August 17, 1917 – April 2, 2003) was an American film director. He later worked as a Unit production manager, production manager in television. Friedman began his career as an assistant director, before enlisting for military s ...

and written by

Arthur Hoerl Arthur Hoerl (December 17, 1891 – February 6, 1968) was an American screenwriter and film director. Hoerl was born in New York, son of Louis Hoerl, a German immigrant silver polisher, and Teresa Hoerl. Arthur completed three years of hig ...

. The film stars

Myron Healey Myron Daniel Healey (June 8, 1923 – December 21, 2005) was an American actor. He began his career in Hollywood, California during the early 1940s and eventually made hundreds of appearances in movies and on television during a career sp ...

, Karin Booth, John Kellogg,

Lawrence Dobkin Lawrence Dobkin (September 16, 1919 – October 28, 2002) was an American television director, character actor and screenwriter whose career spanned seven decades. Dobkin was a prolific performer during the Golden Age of Radio. He narrat ...

Ross Elliott Ross Elliott (born Elliott Blum, June 18, 1917 – August 12, 1999) was an American television and film character actor. He began his acting career in the Mercury Theatre, where he performed in ''The War of the Worlds'', Orson Welles' fam ...

and James Edwards. The film was released on January 5, 1955, by

Republic Pictures Republic Pictures Corporation (currently held under Melange Pictures, LLC) was an American motion picture production-distribution corporation in operation from 1935 to 1967, that was based in Los Angeles. It had studio facilities in Studio City an ...

. African sequences from the French documentary ''Congolaise'' were edited into the film.https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0141807/

Plot

At a military outpost in Africa, Sergeant Drover (John Kellogg) kills his commanding officer, robs the camp safe and runs into the jungle. Months later, U.S. Army Intelligence assigns Captain Kirby (Myron Healey) to investigate a message from a western doctor (Ray Bennett), who runs a medical clinic in a remote area. Believing that the killer is hiding near the clinic, the Kirby arranges to be transported upriver to search for the murderer and return him to stand trial with Rene Carvel (Ross Elliott) of the French African Corps as his guide. Just before they arrive, Drover guesses that the doctor has alerted authorities about his presence and murders him. He tries to kill his pursuers as well, but they capture and arrest him. After burying the doctor and closing the clinic, the team begin the difficult journey back to the coast with Clark's assistant, Ann Davis (Karin Booth), and the handcuffed murderer. Of course, a love interest is formed between Ms. Davis and Captain Kirby and noticed by the observant French guide. Continually looking for a way to escape, Drover is stuck riding in the canoe with Bob, Rene and several locals; however, when they stop to camp in the villages, Rene lets down his vigil. Drover kills him too and escapes. The Captain chases him and returns him to custody after chasing off an elephant trying to charge Ms. Davis. After burying Rene, Ms. Davis and Captain Kirby get back to the river journey with criminal in tow. Following numerous terrain difficulties, animal attacks, and assorted "Hollywoodery", Drover manages to get himself killed and Kirby saves the girl from certain death. The locals to perform a ritual dance to celebrate and the surviving protagonists decide they will stay together when they reach their destination.

Cast

as Capt. Bob Kirby *

Karin Booth Karin Booth (born June Francis Hoffman, June 19, 1916 – July 27, 2003) was an American film and TV actress of the 1940s to 1960s. Life and career She was born June Francis Hoffman on June 19, 1916, in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Francis T. and ...

as Ann Davis * John Kellogg as Sergeant Jed Drover *

as Commentator *

as Rene Carvel * James Edwards as Native Guide * Ray Bennett as Dr. Clark

References

External links

* 1955 films American adventure films 1955 adventure films Republic Pictures films Films directed by Seymour Friedman Films set in Africa 1950s English-language films 1950s American films American black-and-white films {{adventure-film-stub