Congo Bill

Congo Bill provides everything one wants in an adventure serial. It gives the viewer dramatic tension, cliff hangers, suspense and very well drawn characterizations. Each of the fifteen episodes runs for twenty minutes so you get five hours of rock solid entertainment. Great value for your buck! Don McGuire is great as the fearless Congo Bill and Cleo Moore, the White Queen is very beautiful and eye catching.

The authoritative voice of the narrator at the beginning and end of each chapter sounds like a Walter Cronkite or Tom Brokaw and his senatorial tone adds gravitas to the unfolding storyline. The minor characters are excellent too. The haughty and taciturn Cameron, world weary philosopher of life Doctor Greenway, arrogant and dismissive Andre Bocar, buffoon Ivan, bumbling licensee Kleeg and Kahla (Congo Bill's young sidekick and personal gun bearer) promotes authenticity with his broken English patois. The Witchdoctor's headdress featuring wild animal horns strikes fear and awe and makes an indelible impression (the helmet worn by Yul Brynner as Ramesses in "The Ten Commandments" made a similar imposing impression on me).

The exterior shots make the spectator feel like they are in the heart of Africa with lots of giraffes, elephants, lions and gorilla. The tension within each chapter of Congo Bill is palpable and draws you in totally. Among the pantheon of adventure serials this is a Magnum Opus.