Director: W.S. Van Dyke
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
Top Billed Actors: Harry Carey, Edwina Booth, Duncan Renaldo
Won 0 Oscars
Nominated for 1 more:
Outstanding Production - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Plot: A couple of white guys in Africa walk around and look at animals while running away from savages.
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
Top Billed Actors: Harry Carey, Edwina Booth, Duncan Renaldo
Won 0 Oscars
Nominated for 1 more:
Outstanding Production - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Plot: A couple of white guys in Africa walk around and look at animals while running away from savages.
An adventure film from M-G-M, Trader Horn (1931) is a far cry from the typical musicals the studio was churning out at the time. Taking place in the heart of Africa, this movie captures a lot of footage that was likely the first time viewers in 1931 America had the privilege to see the animals of Africa in the wild. Part realistic adventure and part fictitious storytelling, this nominee is a combination of beautiful shots of nature and a Tarzan-like narrative. The ways in which W.S. Van Dyke shot some animal sequences were so cruel, it had to be done in Mexico. For instance, the crew starved some lions in order for them to viciously attack a group of hyenas. There were also instances of shooting animals with guns and even animals killing African natives used in the film. The lead actress, Edwina Booth, also suffered a career ending illness, most likely malaria, due to filming on location.
The novelty of shooting a sound picture outside must have been present when this was premiered. Trader Horn takes it to the next level, showing off nearly every major mammal the plains of Africa has to offer. It was very interesting to witness all of these animals throughout the film, especially when they interact with the actors. One gets a sense of adventure as Harry Carey, who trades with the African natives, and Duncan Renaldo traverse the wilderness and witness some of nature's greatest achievements. A lush waterfall, packs of wildebeest, and a river full of snapping crocodiles are just a few examples of how this film is so enterprising.
These shots of nature and the feel of adventure does get dragged down by the boring drama. The white woman who grows up with an African tribe, Booth, is only present for about 40% of the film. The majority of the story is simply the two men, an African "gunman," and her running away from the tribe she grew up in. The romantic subplot is very forced and Booth's and Renaldo's acting is dreadful. And because the movie tries to always throw in the nature elements throughout the story, it drags and drags.
Overall, the nature shots and the overview of animals couldn't pull the horrible story elements out of the African mud.
My Score: 5/10
The novelty of shooting a sound picture outside must have been present when this was premiered. Trader Horn takes it to the next level, showing off nearly every major mammal the plains of Africa has to offer. It was very interesting to witness all of these animals throughout the film, especially when they interact with the actors. One gets a sense of adventure as Harry Carey, who trades with the African natives, and Duncan Renaldo traverse the wilderness and witness some of nature's greatest achievements. A lush waterfall, packs of wildebeest, and a river full of snapping crocodiles are just a few examples of how this film is so enterprising.
These shots of nature and the feel of adventure does get dragged down by the boring drama. The white woman who grows up with an African tribe, Booth, is only present for about 40% of the film. The majority of the story is simply the two men, an African "gunman," and her running away from the tribe she grew up in. The romantic subplot is very forced and Booth's and Renaldo's acting is dreadful. And because the movie tries to always throw in the nature elements throughout the story, it drags and drags.
Overall, the nature shots and the overview of animals couldn't pull the horrible story elements out of the African mud.
My Score: 5/10