East of Borneo

The great thing about those old jungle movies is that you get a chance to see a lot of studio footage of animals - often to the exclusion of the plot and characters. Ok, it's a jungle movie: wife hunts for husband deep inside of Borneo (taking at least 2 evening gowns and lots of makeup with her), there's plenty of crocs and an evil prince and a volcano and the hero fights off dozens of natives and...well, you get the picture.

If you are bored by footage of exotic animals, you may find this film a bit slow-moving, but it does have a great melodramatic story to tell. A "civilized" couple comes under the power of one of those oriental potentates who alternate between lustful sadism and exotic gallantry. A prophecy is mentioned at one point, and naturally it has to be spectacularly fulfilled by the time the movie ends.

Unfortunately, Lupita Tovar, whose life story is a deal more interesting than her role here, is relegated to the role of the native woman who adores the unworthy white man. Minimal dialogue: mostly she gazes adoringly. The potentate gets the best lines.