West of Zanzibar (1928) - a Silent Film Review

"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 fooled by the magic tricks of the 'Chief Evil Spirit Chaser', as they call Phroso. They do crazy dances and perform barbaric rituals. But director Tod Browning at least uses real Africans instead of black-painted white people, as was customary at the time this film was made. They are all shiny muscular men. Yes, those Africans were not that stupid, they were even ahead of their time. They knew 90 years ago that oil nourishes the cells, detoxify, increases the absorption of minerals and vitamins and has a positive effect on the state of mind. Although I doubt the latter when I watch this movie. So I think that today's beauty gurus are wrong about that.

Mary Nolan

The story of 'West of Zanzibar' is well constructed. Usually I find movies where revenge is the core of the story, not so interesting, but Lon Chaney, who is playing Phroso, acts so well that I am looking forward to the moment that he executes his terrible plan. The rest of the cast also does not disappoint, although I think Mary Nolan, who plays Maizie, is vampy at strange moments. Even stranger is that she was cast because of this look. Apparently they thought it was a 'tragic glance' instead of vampy. So it’s probably me.

Lon Chaney

Although the original ending of the film was changed and a scene has been lost, I think this is an excellent film. As with so many great films, a simple plot is excellently developed thanks to good direction, excellent acting and editing at the right pase.

Mary Nolan and Warner Baxter

Another last note; 'West of Zanzibar' from 1954 is not a remake of this film.

West of Zanzibar IMDb

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