Queen of the Amazons (1947)

Directed and produced by Edward Finney, Queen of the Amazons is a low-budget jungle adventure film that blends mystery, romance, and exoticism—often relying heavily on stock footage to create its setting. Though released in 1947, some sources list it as a 1946 production, and it’s best remembered today for its campy charm and curious portrayal of “Amazons.”

Plot Summary
Jean Preston (played by Patricia Morison) sets out to find her missing fiancé, Greg Jones, who vanished during a safari. Her journey begins in India, where she uncovers clues that lead her to Africa. Alongside a group of companions—including a grumpy guide, a poetic cook named Gabby, and Greg’s father—Jean ventures deep into the jungle. Rumors swirl about a tribe of white warrior women, survivors of a shipwreck, who now rule a remote jungle region. Jean eventually discovers Greg among them, and confronts the mysterious Queen of the Amazons, played by Amira Moustafa in her final film role

Cast Highlights

• Patricia Morison as Jean Preston
• Robert Lowery as Gary Lambert, the reluctant safari guide
• J. Edward Bromberg as Gabby, the poetic cook
• John Miljan, Keith Richards, Bruce Edwards, and Vida Aldana in supporting roles
• Amira Moustafa as Zita, the titular Queen

Behind-the-Scenes Trivia

• The film uses extensive stock footage, including scenes of lions, tigers (not native to Africa), elephants, and tribal dances
• Gabby recites a shortened and slightly misquoted version of the poem Three Fishers by Charles Kingsley
• Actor Hassan Khayyam is misspelled in the credits as “Hassam Kayyam”
• The title is a misnomer: Zita is called a queen, but she doesn’t match any traditional definitions of an Amazon—she’s not from South America, nor of imposing stature, nor linked to Greek mythology