Drums of Africa

Producers Al Zimbalist and Philip N. Krasne have followed the tried-and-true formula for African jungle adventures to come up with a moderately exciting and entertaining film which should satisfy general audiences. With Frankie Avalon, singing idol of the teenagers, as the sole marquee name, this is best suited to the neighborhood spots, where it could top a dual bill. The screenplay by Robin Estridge, from his own story with Arthur Hoerl, is designed to take advantage of some excellent stock footage of elephants, giraffes and wild birds, which has been neatly integrated into the turn-of-the century tale of primitive Africa while early railroads were being planned. Avalon, playing a young man on his first safari who has a penchant for tumbling into leopard traps and getting into trouble, gives an engaging portrayal and, at one point, warbles "The River Love" effectively. The romantic interest is neatly handled by Mariette Hartley, an attractive newcomer with a refreshing Deborah Kerr quality, who plays a mission worker, and Lloyd Bochner, as a railroad engineer. However, the only other familiar player is character actor Torin Thatcher. Metrocolor enhances the special visual effects by Robert R. Hoag.