Directed by:
Arch ObolerScreenplay:
Arch ObolerCinematography:
Joseph F. BirocComposer:
Gordon JenkinsCast:
Robert Stack, Barbara Britton, Nigel Bruce, Paul McVey, Patrick Aherne, Ramsay Hill, John Dodsworth, Patrick O'MoorePlots(1)
Historically important as one of the first 3-D feature film- the first was the 1922 film Power of Love- Bwana Devil features good performances and a reasonably interesting script (by director Arch Oboler). The thinnish story is built around some authentic African footage lensed by Oboler in 1948. Based on fact, the plot concerns two ferocious lions, whose man-eating propensities halted progress on the building of an East African railroad. Robert Stack, Nigel Bruce and Barbara Britton appear in the dramatized sequences, which look like they were filmed for an entirely different movie. The main attraction of Bwana Devil, then and now, is its gimmicky 3-D photography, replete with thrown spears and leaping lions assaulting the camera. Industry reaction to Bwana Devil resulted in the now-famous advertising blurb "What do you want? A good picture, or a lion in your lap?" (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Cast
Robert Stack
USA
Best movies:
The Name of the Game (1968) (series)
To Be or Not to Be (1942)
Flying High! (1980)
Barbara Britton
USA
Best movies:
Reap the Wild Wind (1942)
So Proudly We Hail! (1943)
Albuquerque (1948)
Nigel Bruce
Mexico
Best movies:
Limelight (1952)
Rebecca (1940)
The Rains Came (1939)
Paul McVey
USA
Best movies:
Love Is News (1937)
Alexander's Ragtime Band (1938)
Come Back, Little Sheba (1952)
Patrick Aherne
UK
Best movies:
Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
The Court Jester (1955)
Ramsay Hill
Guyana
Best movies:
East of Eden (1955)
Letter from an Unknown Woman (1948)
The Ten Commandments (1956)
John Dodsworth
UK
Best movies:
Singin' in the Rain (1952)
Lust for Life (1956)
The Sea Chase (1955)
Patrick O'Moore
Ireland
Best movies:
My Fair Lady (1964)
Hello, Dolly! (1969)
Conflict (1945)