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Beyond Mombasa is a 1956 Technicolor adventure film directed by George Marshall and starring Cornel Wilde, Donna Reed and Leo Genn.BEYOND MOMBASA Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 23, Iss. 264, (Jan 1, 1956): 139. It was set in Kenya and shot on location there and at the Elstree Studios near London. The film's sets were designed by the art director Elliot Scott.
Matt is introduced to Hoyt's niece, Ann Wilson, an anthropologist, who is puzzled by Matt's reluctance to go to Mombasa for his brother's funeral. Matt also meets big-game hunter Gil Rossi, who was helping George search for a valuable uranium mine. Hoyt claims the mine doesn't exist.
Another business partner, Elliott Hastings, claims that George's body has been cremated but he did find a map. An expedition beyond Mombasa is formed, guided by Ketimi and other local tribesmen. A shared experience with a charge of hippos brings Matt and Ann closer together, while Gil is nearly killed by a crocodile before it is shot by Hastings.
Tribesmen wearing leopard disguises attack Hastings that night. Ketimi is then killed by a poison dart, causing the other tribesmen to leave. Locating a shaft to the mine, Elliot, Matt and Ann descend into it. She discovers to her horror that Hoyt, her uncle, has murdered Gil with a blow gun. Hoyt confesses to killing Ketimi and paying other natives to disguise themselves as the mythical Leopard Men.
Matt and Ann are about to become the next victims, but Ketimi's fellow tribesmen reappear and take their revenge.
It was originally named Mark of the Leopard.Jay Robinson, Lee Grant Named for 'Storm Fear;' Holt Plans 'Texas Lady' Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 30 Mar 1955: B11. It was then known as Mombasa and Black Mamba.Todon Doing 6th Picture Los Angeles Times 5 Feb 1956: D3.
The film was to star Aldo Ray but he turned down the role. As a result Columbia put him on suspension. Cornel Wilde replaced him in December 1955. Leo Genn signed to do the film after pulling out of Run for the Sun.Louella Parsons: Leigh Snowden Ends Plan for Christmas Tour The Washington Post and Times-Herald 10 Dec 1955: 14. A key support role went to Ron Randell.
After the film was completed, Owen said all of his films "stink - but they made money." However he said Beyond Mombasa "is the first one I've done that isn't lousy - and I'm worried."
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