Cannibal Attack

Plot

Jungle roamer Johnny Weissmuller (Johnny Weissmuller) is exploring the African waters of Magi somewhere in mid-Cannibal Valley. While doing so, he stumbles upon a corpse apparently killed by a crocodile. Weissmuller decides to report the death to John King, leader of the white colony in the Magi. King is in charge of mining cobalt for the government, and confides to Weissmuller that recently a few shipments were stolen by looters passing off as crocodiles.

Returning to work, Weissmuller is ambushed by the looters, natives of Magi. He escapes from their clutches unscathed and sets out to recover the stolen cobalt. After a series of unfortunate events, including getting in the way of a giant-sized eagle, Weissmuller discovers a cave filled with the looted goods. He finds out from a Magi native, Luora, that the cobalt hoarders are members of the tribal clan, the Shenzis. They wish to gain more power by stealing the cobalt supplies, as well as end John King's reign.

Weissmuller contacts the police commissioner and personally confronts King, who he believes has a part in the looting. King is revealed to be part-Shenzi and under interrogation, admits to having masterminded the cobalt robberies. There is a brief struggle which results in King accidentally being killed. The other accomplices are promptly arrested. A new colony leader is selected and order in the Cannibal Valley is restored.

Production

The film marked the first time Johnny Weissmuller used his own name, due to copyright issues concerning the use of the name "Jungle Jim". It was specified that Weissmuller did not play himself, rather a fictional character bearing the same name he had. Nevertheless, Cannibal Attack and the remaining two films which followed are still recognised as part of Columbia's Jungle Jim film series. Lee Sholem directed the film, while Carroll Young wrote both the story and the screenplay. Sam Katzman was in charge of production for Columbia Pictures. Edwin Bryant edited the film and Henry Freulich signed on as cinematographer. Mischa Bakaleinikoff headed the musical direction.

Release

Cannibal Attack was officially released in the United States in November 1954. A reviewer for the magazine Variety opined that the "pretentious" film catered only to "juvenile audiences", while the Motion Picture Guide found it to be "pretty decent". In evaluating the film in his 2012 book Columbia Pictures Movie Series, 1926—1955: The Harry Cohn Years, Gene Blottner dubbed the film a "winner", lauding Sholem's directing skills as well as the cast's effort.