“DARKEST AFRICA.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 4411, 30 October 1934, Page 1

“DARKEST AFRICA.”

REALISTIC DRAMA

The quiet grounds of Littleton Park, at Sbeppertoiwon-Thames, have be>n transformed into an African village. Warrior chieftains from the Croo and Mend i tribes, Zulus and Angolians are the inhabitants.

The ghost of • Edgar Wallace haunts the village, for the polyglot community are completing the film version of his book, “Sanders on the River.” This is a record of a correspondent’s impressions as he approached this corner of darkest Africa.

An incessant beating of tomtoms drew me on. Blood-curdling cries and weird shrieks came in increasing '(vigour. Through the brushwood was seen an appalling tragedy being enacted. Outside a native chief’s hut was a white man tied to a stake. Around him, led by a witch doctor in full regalia, danced 400 armed warriors in a wild frenzy. Suddenly a gigantic headsman leapt out and plunged his spear into the white man’s heart. Very realistic indeed.

London Film. Productions searched the country for the cast. Negroes were selected from all walks of life —ships firemen, fitters, ■motor mechanics, a professional boxer, and a clairvoyant. Leslie Banks plays Sanders, Paul Robeson is a native chief, and Nina May. McKinney his wife.