John Wayne's Adventures in Africa: A Look at His Memorable African Movies

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John Wayne, nicknamed "Duke", remains a beloved figure in Hollywood history. His career spanned from the silent film era to the American New Wave, with roles in 179 film and television productions. He was particularly known for his roles in Westerns and war movies, becoming a top box-office draw for three decades.

While Wayne is widely recognized for his Westerns, he also ventured into other genres, including adventures set in Africa. This article explores some of Wayne's notable African movies, highlighting their unique appeal and enduring legacy.

John Wayne in "Hatari!"

Hatari! (1962): A Thrilling Adventure in Tanganyika

One of Wayne's most memorable African films is Hatari! (Swahili for “danger”), released in 1962. Directed by Howard Hawks, this adventure romantic comedy follows a group of professional game catchers in Tanganyika (now Tanzania). It was filmed in Technicolor on location in northern Tanganyika.

The plot revolves around the Momella Game Company, which captures animals for zoos and circuses. The crew consists of:

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  • Sean Mercer (John Wayne): The Irish-American leader of the capture expeditions
  • Brandy de la Court (Michèle Girardon): The French safari owner
  • Kurt Müller (Hardy Krüger): A retired German race car driver
  • Luis Francisco García López (Valentin de Vargas): A Mexican bullfighter
  • Little Wolf (Bruce Cabot): A Native American sharpshooter
  • Pockets (Red Buttons): A zoophobic former NYC cabbie
  • Anna Maria "Dallas" D'Alessandro (Elsa Martinelli): An Italian photographer
  • Charles "Chips" Maurey (Gérard Blain): A French marksman

The film opens with an aggressive rhino injuring the Indian, leading to several adventures and the introduction of new characters. Dallas, the Italian photographer, arrives, and her interactions with Sean gradually lead to mutual attraction. The crew captures various animals, including zebras, oryx, gazelles, leopards, and buffaloes.

Poster of "Hatari!"

Hatari! has been praised for its breathtaking opening scene of a rhino chase and the warm camaraderie among the cast. The film combines spectacular hunt sequences with humor and romance. Henry Mancini's score, featuring themes like "Baby Elephant Walk," adds to the film's charm.

Some critics have noted that certain elements of the story are dated and politically incorrect, particularly the handling of animals. However, the film remains a grand entertainment, showcasing the beauty of the African landscape and the dynamics of a diverse group of characters.

Here are some interesting facts about the movie:

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  • Filming Location: Tanganyika (now Tanzania).
  • Director: Howard Hawks.
  • Music: Henry Mancini.
  • Animal Captures: The animal captures in the film were performed by the actors themselves.

Behind The Scenes Of John Wayne's African Adventures - HATARI! 1962 | Howard Hawks' Classic

Comparisons to Other Films

Hatari! has been compared to John Ford’s Mogambo (1953). Interestingly, Hawks wanted Clark Gable, the star of Mogambo, to play opposite John Wayne, but Gable died in 1960. Some also see similarities to Hawks' earlier works, such as Bringing Up Baby (1938) and Monkey Business (1952), where he worked with animals in a domestic setting.

McLintock!: A Family Affair

Another notable film featuring John Wayne is McLintock!, a 1963 Western comedy. This film is a family production, starring John Wayne, Patrick Wayne, and produced by Michael Wayne. McLintock! is a tailor-made movie for the Duke. He plays George Washington “GW” McLintock, a rancher and a popular figure in the town.

The movie is loosely based on Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew. Despite not being blood family, the Duke surrounded himself with friends who may as well be family, like Maureen, Chill Willis, Michael Pate, and Hank Warden. Overall, McLintock! is a John Wayne fan favorite movie.

Directed by John Ford: A Documentary

In 1971, director Peter Bogdanovich attempted to make a documentary about John Ford. Interviews with Ford himself were also included, with more footage being included in the 2006 version, as Ford had passed by then. The revised edition also saw interviews, with Ford collaborators Maureen O’Hara and Harry Carey Jr., and directors Clint Eastwood, Martin Scorsese, and Walter Hill.

One of the biggest bombshell of this documentary was the added audio of Katharine Hepburn, visiting Ford when he was in ill-health. While Ford and Hepburn only worked on the 1936 box office bomb Mary of Scotland together, they had a short but passionate affair that affected them the rest of their lives.

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Island in the Sky (1953)

Directed by William Wellman, Island in the Sky is the survivor movie in the Duke’s resume. The story is loosely based on the real life event of Ernest K Gann’s memoir Fate is the Hunter who also was involved with the writing of The High and Mighty. Duke stars as Dooley, a former airlines pilot who flew supplies over the Atlantic during WWII.

John Wayne's Top 10 Movies

Here are my ten favorite John Wayne movies:

  1. El Dorado
  2. The Searchers
  3. North to Alaska
  4. The Undefeated
  5. Comancheros
  6. The Sons of Katie Elder
  7. Hatari!
  8. McLintock!
  9. McQ
  10. Donovan’s Reef

Watching John Wayne movies can turn into a hobby in and of itself. After all, I’ve been watching them for 20 years, and I still haven’t seen 70% of them. I better get some popcorn and start tackling those other 117 films.

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tags: #Africa