Even today, we still have lots of misconceptions about Africa. Such was even more true in the early 1950s, where most of the public perception of the continent was guided by movies, mostly the very successful series of Tarzan films.
That began to change a bit with the release of King Solomon’s Mines, with Deborah Kerr and Stewart Granger. Old King Solomon seemed to open up the gates on the genre and it wasn’t long until more came along. White Witch Doctor is no different. On paper it looks like the release of the year, with Susan Hayward and Robert Mitchum leading the cast, excellent director Henry Hathaway at the helm and even sporting a score by the ephemeral Bernard Herrmann.
Unfortunately the results onscreen make the film merely a strong B picture. The plot is relatively straightforward with Robert Mitchum playing his typical tough guy, with this version being a veteran trapper who, perhaps against his better judgement, agrees to escort a nurse, played by Susan Hayward upriver to rendezvous with the local doctor in residence.
Over the course of their journey they encounter the usual series of torments, ranging from escaped gorillas, unruly native witch doctors, and the like. Though the result is still enjoyable and entertaining, the film doesn’t offer anything in the means of fine entertainment. Thankfully the escaped gorilla attack isn’t the worse onscreen image of “man in ape suit,” but it is darn close. Take it for what it is.
Mitchum has his usual droopy eyed demeanor, and is clearly not overly challenged- nor perhaps even overly interested, in the proceedings. Mitchum, who almost always strikes me as somewhat cynical (perhaps why he is a favorite), is even more so here. The only challenge here is finding where Mitchum ends and the part begins.