In a time when Victorian literature was perhaps a bit stuffy, H. Rider Haggard brought escapades in the Dark Continent to eager readers in the form of “Allan Quatermain” and “She”. Genuine products of their times, his novels reflect the unbridled spirit of adventurism during the “Scramble for Africa” between 1880 and the beginning of World War II. While both “She” and “Allan Quatermain” (King Solomon’s Mines 1950, 1937 & 1985 )have made it to the big screen, Haggard’s enduring film credit will be in influencing the character of Indiana Jones and laying the groundwork for future sci-fi, fantasy and adventure epics.

Long before the “Great White Hunter” would make a debut in Hollywood, She was produced as a silent film in 1908, 1911 (director George Nichols), 1916, 1917 and 1925 (director Leander De Cordova). As Hollywood is so fond of the subject matter, She would also be recreated in 1935 (directors Holden & Pichel), 1965 (director Robert Day with Ursula Andress as She), 1982 (director Avi Nesher) as a humorous adventure, and in 2001 (director Timothy Bond).

The 1935 version was produced by Merian C. Cooper (King Kong), and had money problems from the start. Originally shot as a color film, RKO cut the budget at the last minute forcing Cooper to shoot in black and white.She has since been colorized with the help of special effects master Ray Harryhausen acting as color designer.

Like many of the incarnations of “She”, this film drifts away from the original work. It does maintain some of the qualities and characters of the novel however, and can stand on its own as a film. The Bauhaus inspired sets, excellent choreography of native dancing and grand scale of the production make Cooper’s She a classic.

The formula is simple and one we have seen many times since. A great secret has been imparted to Leo Vincey upon the death of this uncle. In a land far away, visited by his ancestors 500 years before, there lies great treasure and an ancient civilization. It’s up to him – stay in with the boring everyday life, or run off in search of adventure? Though the places, names and “treasure” may change, this is the basic recipe found in some of Hollywood’s most entertaining flicks from Star Wars to National Treasure.

Unfortunately, the film lost over $180,000 at the box office. The picture itself was almost lost to time if not for the fortuitous meeting of Buster Keaton and Raymond Rohauer. Rohauer, creator of the Hollywood Film Society, was approached by Keaton at one of their meetings. Apparently he had a “garage full of film” which was eventually donated to the Society. Among the movies was the only original print of She.

Directors: Lansing C. Holden
Irving Pichel

Writers: H. Rider Haggard (novel)
Ruth Rose (adaptation)

MPAA Rating: NR with some moments of violence not suitable for small children