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The African Queen Overview:

The African Queen (1951) was a Adventure - Drama Film directed by John Huston and produced by Sam Spiegel and John Woolf.

The film was based on the novel of the same name written by C.S. (Cecil Scott) Forester published in 1935.

SYNOPSIS

The boozing, smoking, cussing captain of a tramp steamer, Charlie Allnut (Bogart) saves prim and proper Rose Sayer (Hepburn) after her brother is killed by German soldiers at the beginning of WWI in Africa. Many quarrels later, the two set sail on the Ulonga-Bora in order to sabotage a German ship. Based on the 1935 book by novelist C.S. Forester, the wonderful combination of Hepburn and Bogie (who won an Oscar) makes this a thoroughly enjoyable blend of comedy and adventure. Later came the book (and Clint Eastwood film) White Hunter, Black Heart, which chronicled Peter Viertel's experiences observing Huston throughout the making of the picture.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

The African Queen was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1994.

Academy Awards 1951 --- Ceremony Number 24 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActorHumphrey BogartWon
Best ActressKatharine HepburnNominated
Best DirectorJohn HustonNominated
Best WritingJames Agee, John HustonNominated
See More Oscar Winners

The African Queen BlogHub Articles:

Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn take a journey on "The African Queen"

By Stephen Reginald on Aug 1, 2022 From Classic Movie Man

Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn take a journey on "The African Queen" The African Queen (1951) is a British-American adventure film directed by John Huston and starring Humphrey Bogard, Katharine Hepburn, and Robert Morley. The film is based on the novel of the same name by C. S. Forester... Read full article

The African Queen (1951)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Dec 14, 2017 From 4 Star Films

And you call yourself a Christian! Do you hear me? Don’t ya? Don’t ya? Huh? What ya being so mean for, Miss? A man takes a drop too much once and a while, it’s only human nature. ~ Charlie Nature, Mr. Allnut, is what we are put in this world to rise above. ~ Rose Sometimes when gr... Read full article

The African Queen (1951)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Dec 14, 2017 From 4 Star Films

And you call yourself a Christian! Do you hear me? Don’t ya? Don’t ya? Huh? What ya being so mean for, Miss? A man takes a drop too much once and a while, it’s only human nature. ~ Charlie Nature, Mr. Allnut, is what we are put in this world to rise above. ~ Rose Sometimes when gr... Read full article

ClassicFlix (Teen Scene): The African Queen (1951)

By Virginie Pronovost on Jun 27, 2017 From The Wonderful World of Cinema

From March 2015 to April 2017, I was writing the monthly Teen Scene column for the website ClassicFlix. My objective was to promote classic films among teenagers and young adults. Due to the establishing of a new version of the website, it’s now more difficult to access to the old version and read... Read full article

The African Queen Rides Into Adventure with Bogart and Hepburn

By Cafe Guest Blogger on May 22, 2017 From Classic Film & TV Cafe

Guest blogger Chris Cummins from MovieFanFare pays tribute to a Bogey-Hepburn classic: Released on December 23, 1951, The African Queen (based on the C.S. Forester novel of the same name) is a cinematic masterpiece that is highlighted by unforgettable lead performances from Humphrey Bogart and Kath... Read full article

See More The African Queen Articles

The African Queen Quotes:

Charlie Allnut: There ain't nothing so complicated as the inside of a torpedo.
Charlie Allnut: How'd you like it?
Rose Sayer: Like it?
Charlie Allnut: White water rapids!
Rose Sayer: I never dreamed...
Charlie Allnut: I don't blame you for being scared - not one bit. Nobody with good sense ain't scared of white water...
Rose Sayer: I never dreamed that any mere physical experience could be so stimulating!
Rose Sayer: Dear Lord, We've come to the end of our journey, and in a little while we'll stand before you. I pray for you to be merciful. Judge us not for our weaknesses, but for our love and open the doors of heaven for Charlie and me.
Charlie Allnut: Well I ain't sorry for you no more, ya crazy, psalm-singing, skinny old maid!
Charlie Allnut: [skitting Rose] Can you make a torpedo? Well do so Mr. Allnut.
See More Quotes from The African Queen
The African Queen Facts
The female lead was originally offered to Bette Davis in 1938, with David Niven as Charlie. It was offered to Davis again in 1947, with James Mason, as Charlie, but she had to drop out due to pregnancy. By the time Davis tried out for the role again in 1949, plans were underway for Katharine Hepburn to star.
Walt Disney used this film as the basis for the Disneyland's "Jungle Cruise" attraction.
In "The Making of the African Queen, Katharine Hepburn details John Huston's obsession with hunting. One day he convinced Hepburn to join him, and inadvertently led her into the middle of a herd of wild animals. They barely escaped.
While filming the scene where Charlie finds his body covered with leeches, Humphrey Bogart insisted on using rubber leeches. John Huston refused, and brought a leech-breeder to the London studio with a tank full of them. It made Bogart queasy and nervous, qualities Huston wanted for his close-ups. Ultimately, rubber leeches were placed on Bogart, and a close-up of a real leech was shot on the breeder's chest.
James Agee suffered a serious heart attack during development of the screenplay. Uncredited writer Peter Viertel wrote the film's final scenes with John Huston.
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