Filmtip for a Filmtrip - Film Reviews

"Ashes to ashes! Dust to dust!" This ominous Bible quote reflects the sultry atmosphere of 'West of Zanzibar' from 1928. And this is not because the story takes place in Africa.   Lon Chaney Magician Phroso has a successful act in the circus with his wife Anna. When Anna does not have the courage to tell him that she is leaving him for another man, Crane, the man in question, decides to tell Phroso himself that he is going to Africa with Anna. It ends in a skirmish in which the magicians' legs become paralyzed. If that is not bad enough, Anna dies when she returns to America without Crane but with a baby. This is the last thing Phroso can handle. He decides to go to Africa to find Crane and thinks of an ingenious plan for the ultimate revenge. And he takes his time for that, 18 years to be precise. Time enough to become pretty hateful and bitter.   Of course some stereotypes are used as the story takes place in Africa. The Africans are easily foole