It’s classic time again. I decided to revisit The African Queen, starring Humphrey Bogart as Charlie Allnut in his only Oscar-winning performance and Katherine Hepburn as Rosie Sayer. I loved it way back when and I love it now. In this era of computer graphic, high speed, high technology, over-stimulating instant gratification films, I have to say that The African Queen holds its own with great actors, an interesting story and an inspiring location.

This film, made in 1951, takes place in Africa in 1914 when the Germans invaded that country. Rosie, otherwise known by Charlie as “Miss,” is a pianist traveling with her brother a missionary. Charlie comes by occasionally on his sea vessel, the African Queen, to deliver mail and groceries. The Germans suddenly arrive and invade and burn down the native’s villages. Rosie is urged by Charlie to escape on “The Queen” with him.

What an unlikely pairing, him being gruff and her very stiff and proper. However, they have a something in common, the drive to survive and a love of adventure. They have to travel through a crocodile-infested river, overcome enormous rapids, pull the boat by rope through the water while leeches adhere to Charlie, deal with a broken blade of the propeller and coast through open areas of artillery to eventually break out to the area where the powerful German boat, the Louisa, is stationed. They decide to torpedo the Louisa by ramming the African Queen into her.

During all the adversity, they become very fond of each other and in such a sweet old-fashioned way, they fall in love. Their plans are on a steady course until a huge storm occurs. For all those who have not seen this masterpiece, I will stop with the story. Suffice it to say it is sweet and uplifting. What’s lovely about both of these characterizations is that they inspire each other to change and in significant ways they both do. Rosie loosens up and becomes excited about adventure and Charlie tones down, becoming more civilized and aware.

Bogie plays a fantastic drunk. After reading the stories of him and director John Huston, apparently he had lots of practice. There are so many stories to tell about a film which was actually shot on location in Africa and Turkey. During filming the cast and crew were transported three and a half miles to the Ruiki River and then sailed another two and a half miles to the location. Many contracted dysentery and malaria, and there were close calls with wild animals and poisonous snakes. However, John Huston and Humphrey Bogart never got sick, which they attributed to their living on imported Scotch.

We owe it to ourselves and the history of film to see these films again and maybe even educate our children about the old studio system and that good films weren’t all about explosions and special effects but about wonderful actors, scripts, plots and locations.

The North Columbia Monthly provides news, views, humor and a calendar of events for an area that stretches from Nelson in British Columbia south to Spokane in Washington State and covers all points in between. A free (and free-thinking, progressive) magazine, The Monthly is available at several hundred spots throughout the region and now is also available on-line at www.ncmonthly.com. Published once a month since 1994, The Monthly is an independent magazine that often challenges contemporary wisdom by encouraging critical thinking about issues and attitudes in the region and beyond.

Featuring our one-of-a-kind "What's Happening" department, The Monthly provides the region's only all-inclusive, free listing of community events and is the first place many people check to find out about area arts, crafts, music, fairs, services and events of all kinds. Our open listing policy for the "What's Happening" department promotes diversity, cultural interaction, and the exchange of ideas and free expression. Also featured in the magazine are people, food, health, humor, and feature articles that keep readers coming back for more each month.

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