Haggard, Hemingway and Hollywood

Examines Hollywood’s treatment of Africa, beginning with the 1950 production of King Solomon’s Mines (based on the popular Allan Quatermain series created by H. Rider Haggard) and ending with a brief commentary on the film version of Isak Dinesen’s Out of Africa. Provides an overview of Hemingway’s 1933 and 1953 safaris, detailing the author’s relationship with professional hunter Philip Percival. Includes discussion of The Macomber Affair (1947) and The Snows of Kilimanjaro (1952), noting Hemingway’s involvement and difficulties with both productions. Contends that unlike the “boyish adventure and exotic romance” of Haggard’s works, Hemingway’s African stories reveal more about the author’s need to test himself and less about Africa