Untamed (1940 film)

Untamed - movie poster

Untamed is a 1940 American drama film directed by George Archainbaud and starring Ray Milland and Patricia Morison. The film is set in the jungles of Africa, where an engineer named Mike (played by Milland) is working on a project. He encounters an untamed wild girl named Aloma (played by Morison), leading to a series of adventures and a developing romance between the two.

Plot

The story begins with Mike, an engineer, arriving in Africa to work on a construction project. While exploring the jungle, he discovers Aloma, a mysterious woman who has lived in the wild and is unfamiliar with modern civilization. Despite their vastly different backgrounds, Mike is intrigued by Aloma's untamed spirit and decides to help her adapt to society. As they spend more time together, their initial fascination turns into love. However, their relationship faces challenges from both the natural dangers of the jungle and societal pressures.

Cast

• Ray Milland as Mike
• Patricia Morison as Aloma
• Akim Tamiroff as Supporting Role
• Lynne Overman as Supporting Role
• J. Carrol Naish as Supporting Role

The cast brings together a mix of talent that effectively portrays the film's dramatic and romantic elements, with Milland and Morison's performances being particularly noteworthy.

Production

Directed by George Archainbaud, Untamed was produced by Paramount Pictures. The film's setting in the African jungle required detailed set designs and backdrops that convincingly recreated the environment's lush landscapes and untamed wilderness. The production team faced the challenge of bringing the exotic and dangerous aspects of the jungle to life, ensuring that the setting played a crucial role in the story's development.

Reception

Upon its release, Untamed received mixed reviews from critics. While the performances of the lead actors were praised, some reviewers critiqued the film for its predictable plot and the portrayal of the jungle setting. Despite this, Untamed found an audience appreciative of its adventurous spirit and the chemistry between its stars.

Legacy

Although Untamed may not be widely remembered today, it remains a notable example of early 1940s cinema that explored themes of adventure, romance, and the clash between civilization and nature. The film's attempt to blend these elements, along with its portrayal of a strong, albeit stereotypical, female character in Aloma, contributes to its place in the history of Hollywood's adventure genre.