Book Review: The Making of “The African Queen”: Or How I Went to Africa with Bogart, Bacall and Almost Lost My Mind by Katharine Hepburn

The wonders of Google. Who knew that a computer had a sense of humor?

Upon searching the title of the book I’m about to review for you, the results revealed the extraneously long title with a slight change…

…The Making of “The African Queen”: Or How I Went to Africa with Bogart, Bacall and Almost Lost My Life.

But that, my friends, might as well have been the title.

Because when Katharine Hepburn went to Africa to make The African Queen, she almost did lose her life – and on more than one occasion.

With candor, humor, and her trademark vivacity, Katharine Hepburn recalls the adventure of a lifetime. The excitement of filming amongst the natural, dangerous beauty of Africa, her initial mistrust and later unexpected friendship with director John Huston, her unfailing admiration for Humphrey Bogart.

But the undisputed star of this book is 1950’s Africa.

The people, the culture, the unmitigated beauty, and the harsh realities.

The Hollywood troupe learned quickly that they weren’t in Kansas anymore as far as plumbing went…

Add snakes, malaria, dysentery, stampeding elephants, and a sinking African Queen to the list!

Wardrobe malfunctions not excluding, Miss Hepburn tells of a time when starchy rice water was the only available antidote to her (humidity induced) floppy hat brim. And then there’s that infamous mirror she carried all over the island.

“Everyone squalled about this mirror…It was just too long to fit across the back of the floor of the car, so we rode along with the car door slightly ajar. Daily it had to be taken from my hut to the car. Downhill to the boat. To the jungle. Back to the boat. Up the hill into the car again with the door open. To my hut.

It had no backing. Finally it broke being put into the car – one-third broke off. Everyone was glad. That’s the end of that, they thought. But we carried it anyway. Now with a great jagged end. But now the car door would close. And everyone used it. Oh yes, especially Bogie.

Along with humorous stories such as these, Miss Hepburn invites the reader into her heart, sharing her insecurities and perceived weaknesses with a wink and acute self awareness.

A highlight of the book for me was the forming of Katharine Hepburn’s character, Rose.

With an inspired piece of direction, Huston gave Hepburn the key in interpeting the prim missionary spinster in a fashion that would ensure admiration from the audience, essential to the film’s success and, no doubt, part of its enduring appeal.

Closing Thoughts

Is this small book the definitive Making of the African Queen? No, not really.

It is a telling of a bygone moment in history. It is 1950’s Africa as Katharine Hepburn experienced it.

In fact, I couldn’t read this memoir without hearing her distinctly marvelous voice speaking the words on the page (which made it all the more enjoyable).

I’d recommend this book for fans of The African Queen, and any one interested in location filmmaking during the 1950’s. The revealing images littered throughout are not to be missed.

If you pick this book up I promise you two things: it will give you a new appreciation for the celebrated film; and leave you feeling inspired to live life to the fullest.

That’s what it did for me.

What are your memories of seeing The African Queen?

Have you read this book or any others by Katharine Hepburn?

Let’s chat in the comments below!

This is the third and final book I’ve read for the 2022 Classic Film Reading Challenge. Although I didn’t complete all six, I truly enjoyed the reads that this challenge brought my way…

Below are links to my other picks from this summer!

• My Picks for the 2022 Classic Film Reading Challenge

• My review of Picnic by Josh Logan: Stage vs. Screen

• My review of Portrait of Jennie by Robert Nathan