The African Queen (1951)
On the brink of WWI, a missionary, Robert Morley, and his sister, Katharine Hepburn, are working in the African Congo. When Germans occupy the territory and Robert is killed, Kate has no choice but to join the scruffy, far-from-pious Humphrey Bogart on his small riverboat “The African Queen”, since it’s their only means of transportation. From then on, it’s basically a two-person show as the two navigate through the Congo and come up with a plan to join the war effort.
While the initial cast choice was Bette Davis and David Niven, the onscreen couple Katharine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart in The African Queen is indelible in audiences’ minds. It’s impossible to imagine anyone else in the film, even though I absolutely love The Niv and the character was originally written to have a Cockney accent. Humphrey Bogart, playing a Canadian because he couldn’t do the accent, is absolutely perfect in the role! He definitely deserved his Oscar, and no one would argue that it’s the best performance of his career. He’s sweet, funny, big-hearted, reluctantly passionate, and completely believable in his surroundings. David Niven is many things—handsome, debonair, classy—but none of his special talents would be needed in the part. The Charlie Allnut character needs to be uncouth. He needs to seem like he's really lived on a boat in Africa for years with gin as his only companion and love far from his mind. He needs to be Humphrey Bogart.
But, on to Kate. Katharine Hepburn gives one of her best and classic performances as the straight-laced, religious spinster with an unexpected fiery passion. She’s absolutely delightful, showing a range of emotions that are so believable it’ll be hard to see her as anyone else in the future. She’s logical and smart, but also sensitive and loving. The African Queen is one of my all-time favorite love stories—and old movies—because of the sweet, tender moments the unlikely pair share. From the awkward tea party in the beginning of the film when Humph’s stomach can’t stop growling to their first journey down the rapids and beyond, they’ll make themselves a permanent home in your heart. After they’ve declared their love, Kate finally asks him what his first name is—it’s so adorable! Upon hearing it, she smiles like a young girl and sweetly says, “What a nice name. Charlie. Charlie!”
I could continue to quote all the lovely, adorable, memorable phrases from the romance, but you should really see them for yourself. Whether you end up adding “And you call yourself a Christian!” or “Nature is what we are put on this earth to rise above” or “Then do so, Mr. Allnut” to your household phrases, I’m sure you’ll love The African Queen just as much as I do. It’s truly one-of-a-kind.
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "kemal candan" for posting!
More Katharine Hepburn movies here!
While the initial cast choice was Bette Davis and David Niven, the onscreen couple Katharine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart in The African Queen is indelible in audiences’ minds. It’s impossible to imagine anyone else in the film, even though I absolutely love The Niv and the character was originally written to have a Cockney accent. Humphrey Bogart, playing a Canadian because he couldn’t do the accent, is absolutely perfect in the role! He definitely deserved his Oscar, and no one would argue that it’s the best performance of his career. He’s sweet, funny, big-hearted, reluctantly passionate, and completely believable in his surroundings. David Niven is many things—handsome, debonair, classy—but none of his special talents would be needed in the part. The Charlie Allnut character needs to be uncouth. He needs to seem like he's really lived on a boat in Africa for years with gin as his only companion and love far from his mind. He needs to be Humphrey Bogart.
But, on to Kate. Katharine Hepburn gives one of her best and classic performances as the straight-laced, religious spinster with an unexpected fiery passion. She’s absolutely delightful, showing a range of emotions that are so believable it’ll be hard to see her as anyone else in the future. She’s logical and smart, but also sensitive and loving. The African Queen is one of my all-time favorite love stories—and old movies—because of the sweet, tender moments the unlikely pair share. From the awkward tea party in the beginning of the film when Humph’s stomach can’t stop growling to their first journey down the rapids and beyond, they’ll make themselves a permanent home in your heart. After they’ve declared their love, Kate finally asks him what his first name is—it’s so adorable! Upon hearing it, she smiles like a young girl and sweetly says, “What a nice name. Charlie. Charlie!”
I could continue to quote all the lovely, adorable, memorable phrases from the romance, but you should really see them for yourself. Whether you end up adding “And you call yourself a Christian!” or “Nature is what we are put on this earth to rise above” or “Then do so, Mr. Allnut” to your household phrases, I’m sure you’ll love The African Queen just as much as I do. It’s truly one-of-a-kind.
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "kemal candan" for posting!
More Katharine Hepburn movies here!
Hot Toasty Rag Awards:
Best Actress of 1951: Katharine Hepburn
Hot Toasty Rag Nominations:
Best Picture
Best Director: John Huston
Best Actor: Humphrey Bogart
Best Comedic Screenplay
Best Musical Score: Allan Gray