Flight Of The Lost Balloon (1961)

Set in 1878, a young explorer (Marshall Thompson) sets off to Africa in a hot air balloon in search of a missing explorer (Douglas Kennedy). He is accompanied by the missing explorer's fiancee (Mala Powers) and a Hindu guide (James Lanphier). "Inspired" by FIVE WEEKS IN A BALLOON by Jules Verne (although the film doesn't credit Verne) and directed by Nathan Juran (THE 7TH VOYAGE OF SINBAD). Shot in 10 days in Puerto Rico, the location is the only attractive thing about the movie. The special effects are shoddy, the African natives are portrayed as superstitious "ooga booga" savages, we have men in obvious gorilla suits, etc. The characters are supposed to be British but are played by American actors who don't even bother with an English accent. With Robert W. Gillette and Felipe Birrie.