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They really don't make 'em like this anymore. More's the pity, says James Oliver, who needs no excuse to watch Hepburn and Bogie in John Huston's African riverboat adventure.

They don't, as the old saw has it, make 'em like this any more: larger than life stars playing loveable characters, conducting a winsome romance in exotic locations and proceeding to a thrilling climax. The African Queen is the sort of film Sunday afternoons were invented for.
 
The African Queen itself is a dilapidated old river steamer, the property of a dilapidated old drifter, Charlie Allnut (Bogie). His dissolute ways are a sharp contrast to Rose Sayer (Kate, of course), who works with her brother Samuel (Robert Morley) as a missionary. When their mission is attacked by the perfidious Hun (it's the start of World War One) and Samuel dies, Rose takes passage with the uncouth Mr. Allnut, little realising what the journey has in store.
 
No sir, they do not make 'em like this any more. Then again, 'they' didn't make 'em like this very often back then, a happy conjunction of director, story and, above all, stars. Neither Kate or Bogie made any effort to conceal their maturity and it's a textbook lesson in star power.
 
Indeed, this is one of the greatest entertainments that the movies have to offer. If only more movies could be so much fun.

 

James Oliver on 23rd April 2010
View all 116 of James Oliver's reviews