| Timbuktu | |
|---|---|
Original film poster |
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| Directed by | Jacques Tourneur |
| Produced by | Edward Small |
| Written by | Paul Dudley Anthony Veiller |
| Starring | Victor Mature Yvonne de Carlo |
| Music by | Gerald Fried |
| Cinematography | Maury Gertsman |
| Studio | Edward Small Productions |
| Distributed by | United Artists |
| Release date(s) | 22 November 1959 |
| Running time | 91 min. |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Timbuktu is a 1959 black-and-white adventure film set in the city of the same name but filmed in the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park in Kanab, Utah.[1] It was directed by Jacques Tourneur in 1958.
In 1956 producer Edward Small originally registered several titles for the film such as East of Timbuktu, West of Timbuktu, North of Timbuktu, South of Timbuktu, (a technique of titling films that William Witney described as "boxing the compass")The Road to Timbuktu, and Timbuktu Theme before settling on just plain old Timbuktu.[2] However Small felt so embarrassed by the film that he removed his name from the final credits.[3]
Contents |
1940: With France at war with Germany, the French have removed large amounts of troops from their African possessions leaving the way open for revolt. American soldier of fortune Mike Conway (Victor Mature) sees a chance to pay his way back to the United States by gunrunning to hostile Tuaregs.
Wearing a slouch hat and bush jacket, Conway is armed with a Thompson sub machine gun and a wristwatch with an alarm engraved "From Conway to Conway". He finds himself walking a razor's edge between an anti-French Tuareg leader (John Dehner) keen for Conway's supply of weapons but keener to use his tarantulas on his prisoners, a moderate Imam (Leonard Mudie) wanting peace, the local French Foreign Legion commander (George Dolenz), and the commander's attractive wife (Yvonne de Carlo) that Conway can't keep away from.
Director Jacques Tourneur claimed that producer Small thought the film wasn't long enough so inserted reaction shots of close ups of various actors all throughout the film.[3]
The film was Yvonne De Carlo's last appearance until her husband's injuries brought her back to the screen.
Victor Mature as Mike Conway
Yvonne De Carlo as Natalie Dufort
George Dolenz as Colonel Charles Dufort
John Dehner as Emir Bhaki aka The Lion of the Desert
Marcia Henderson as Jeanne Marat
Robert Clarke as Captain Girard
James Foxx as Lt. Victor Marat
Turkish actor Feridun Çölgeçen was credited as technical adviser. Fred Carson acted as both stuntman and Victor Mature's stand-in.[4]
The wit and wisdom of Mike Conway
Natalie: “Why the costume?” (referring to his Islamic clothing)
Conway: “I know it looks pretty silly but it’s much safer.”
Natalie: “Wouldn’t it be safer being in America?”
Conway: “And give up this golden opportunity to get rich?”
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