King Solomon's Mines (1937)

In late 19th century South Africa, an Irishman (Arthur Sinclair) goes off into the desert in search of the legendary King Solomon's mines. When his daughter (Anna Lee, HOW GREEN WAS MY VALLEY), accompanied by a native (Paul Robeson) who seems to have an ulterior motive, goes after her father, a hunter (Cedric Hardwicke) along with two adventurers (Roland Young, John Loder) go off in search of her with the intention of bringing her back. The first film adaptation of the famous H. Rider Haggard novel, this is an enjoyable if simplistic action adventure which seems to successfully avoid the often unfortunate racist elements inherent in such fare. The top billed Robeson is given three songs to sing which pads out the running time but the battle scenes and the volcano sequence are very nicely done. Directed by Robert Stevenson (THE LOVE BUG) with the African exterior scenes directed by Geoffrey Barkas.