Facts > Films > West of Zanzibar
West of Zanzibar (1928) Facts
| Director(s) | Tod Browning |
| Producer(s) | Irving Thalberg (uncredited), Tod Browning |
| Featured Cast | Lon Chaney, Lionel Barrymore, Warner Baxter, Mae Busch, Noble Johnson |
| Total Facts | 8 |
Mary Nolan was cast for her " tragic eyes".
Although never shot, the film's original ending has Maizie stabbing Phroso to death while he sleeps in his hut.
Cast and Crew worked 5 days from 9 a. m. until midnight and one night until 4.50 a.m.
During the shooting of some scenes, Tod Browning had musicians pound jungle drums off- screen to enhance the tropical mood.
In the ceremonial tribal dances the local extras had difficulty dancing to the drums.To remedy the situation a radio was brought to the set and played Jazz tunes by a local station.
The crew encountered no major setbacks, although on five days they worked from nine a.m. until after midnight - one night shooting until 4:50 am (no doubt shooting the night exteriors).
The play, "Kongo", opened in New York on 30 March 1926.
To create the mud floor of Dead-Legs's hut, set-builders laid down a burlap base, then covered it with a mixture of paint and putty to create the desired consistency and appearance.