Adventure in Sahara


57m 1938

Brief Synopsis

Agadez is a lonely French outpost baking under the desert sun and commanded by the cruel and oppressive Captain Savatt (C. Henry Gordon.) To it comes, at his own request, Legionnaire Jim Wilson (Paul Kelly) soon followed by his fiancee, Carla Preston (Lorna Gray), who has been tracing him from post to post. Legionnaires seize the fort and turn Savitt loose in the Arab-haunted desert with only a fraction of the water and food needed to get back to civilization. But Savitt gets through and returns to the fort at the head of an avenging troop of men. But Arabs surround Savitt and his men, and the mutineers, knowing that to leave the fort and aid them means their own death...

Film Details

Also Known As
Revolt in the Sahara, Son of the Sahara
Genre
Adventure
Release Date
Nov 15, 1938
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
Columbia Pictures Corp. of California, Ltd.
Distribution Company
Columbia Pictures Corp. of California, Ltd.
Country
United States

Technical Specs

Duration
57m
Sound
Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
6 reels

Synopsis

Jim Wilson decides to investigate his brother's death in the French Foreign Legion by becoming a legionnaire himself. Wilson requests the same regiment as his brother's, and is sent to Fort Agadez, the last French outpost in the Sahara. Under the ruthless command of Captain Savatt, the troops are constantly under attack from Arabs. One day, when Wilson is sent on patrol to search for Arab marauders, he rescues his girl friend, aviatrix Carla Preston, who has been searching the desert for him. Savatt uses this incident to place Wilson in solitary confinement. Upon his release, Wilson leads the restive men in a mutiny. Savatt is overthrown and the troop's respected second-in-command, Lieutenant Dumond, is imprisoned. Savatt and his loyal troops are sent with minimal supplies into the desert, where they are picked off one at a time by Arab ambushers, but Savatt is able to make his way to Fort Tienne. Meanwhile, at Agadez, discipline among the men breaks down and food runs short. As the fort is about to be abandoned, Savatt returns, leading his avenging troops. As Savatt's men batter down the gate, Arabs attack, and both groups of legionnaires unite to fight off the attack. After the Arabs are repulsed, the mutineers are held for court-martial. At Wilson's trial, Dumond testifies against Savatt, and after Savatt is relieved of his command, he shoots himself. The court is lenient in sentencing the mutineers, and Wilson and Carla look forward to a reunion in Paris after his release from prison.

Film Details

Also Known As
Revolt in the Sahara, Son of the Sahara
Genre
Adventure
Release Date
Nov 15, 1938
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
Columbia Pictures Corp. of California, Ltd.
Distribution Company
Columbia Pictures Corp. of California, Ltd.
Country
United States

Technical Specs

Duration
57m
Sound
Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
6 reels

Quotes

Trivia

According to the Variety review, the film included library stock and duplicate footage.

Notes

The working title for this film was Revolt in the Sahara. It was reviewed in Hollywood Reporter as Son of the Sahara. The Variety review notes that the film made use of library stock and duplicate running shots.