Stanley and Livingstone (1939)

Stanley and Livingstone is a 1939 American adventure biopic directed by Henry King, with safari sequences helmed by Otto Brower. Produced by 20th Century Fox, the film dramatizes the legendary journey of journalist Henry Morton Stanley to locate the missing Scottish missionary Dr. David Livingstone in Africa. Released on August 18, 1939, it stars Spencer Tracy, Nancy Kelly, and Richard Greene, and runs approximately 101 minutes.

Plot Summary

After returning from the American frontier, ambitious reporter Henry M. Stanley (Spencer Tracy) is sent by his editor James Gordon Bennett to Africa to investigate rumors of Dr. Livingstone’s disappearance. Stanley’s journey takes him through treacherous terrain, hostile tribes, and colonial outposts. Along the way, he meets Eve Kingsley (Nancy Kelly), a romantic interest, and Gareth Tyce (Richard Greene), a rival explorer.

Stanley eventually locates Livingstone (played by Cedric Hardwicke) in a remote village, delivering the iconic line: “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?” The film concludes with Stanley’s return to England, where his story is initially doubted but ultimately vindicated.

Cast

• Spencer Tracy as Henry M. Stanley
• Nancy Kelly as Eve Kingsley
• Richard Greene as Gareth Tyce
• Cedric Hardwicke as Dr. David Livingstone
• Walter Brennan, Charles Coburn, Henry Hull, and Henry Travers in supporting roles

Production Notes and Trivia

• The screenplay was written by Philip Dunne and Julien Josephson, based loosely on historical events
• The film’s budget was approximately $1.3 million, a significant investment for the time
• Location scenes were filmed in Africa and California, with elaborate jungle sets and wildlife sequences
• Music was composed by a team including David Buttolph, Cyril J. Mockridge, and Louis Silvers, though many were uncredited
• The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Cinematography (Black-and-White)
• Spencer Tracy’s performance was praised for its blend of rugged determination and journalistic skepticism
• The film was released just weeks before the outbreak of World War II, adding resonance to its themes of global exploration and cultural encounter
• Though dramatized, the film helped popularize the historical legacy of Stanley and Livingstone’s meeting, which occurred in 1871 in present-day Tanzania