"Congo Maisie" is the second film of what would be a 10-fim series of comedies mixed with other genres by MGM from 1939 to 1947. The first film , "Maisie" of 1939, had been planned for Jean Harlow in 1937 until she died suddenly of liver disease. Ann Sothern was picked for her role two years later and did so well that MGM had its writers churn out nine more tales based on the Maisie Ravier character.
In these early films, Maisie is usually playing a club dancer and singer who's between jobs or enroute to another one. But here she happens to be in British West Africa, just before World War II. The opening scene identifies it as Kurmala, West Africa, and it appears to be on the coast at the mouth of the Congo River. That might be present day Muanda of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The movie opens with Maisie sneaking out of her hotel to avoid the proprietor because she can't pay her bill. She stows away on a boat that she thinks will be traveling along the coast. So, she's surprised when she finds out its going a good distance up the Congo. And that's where this comedy drama takes place. The boat engine conks out and Maisie and the male passenger, Dr. Michael Shane, have to walk a couple miles to the Atkinson Rubber Co. Medical station, where he used to work.
This story centers around the former doctor who's now trying to make it big running a plantation. But when the new doctors takes ill, he has to again practice medicine. Besides helping the doctor with his practice, Maisie helps stem a medicine-man provoked uprising with some magic of her own. And, she helps save the stations doctor's marriage. Naturally, the comedy is quite low-key in such a setting, but it's a good and entertaining film.
Here are some favorite lines.
Nelson, "Have you seen anything of a blonde?" Captain Finch, "Brother, where is she?" Nelson, "That's what I'm asking you. Are you sure that there ain't been no blonde with a suitcase stowed away on this boat within the last couple of hours?" Captain Finch: "Listen, silly, if there was a blonde on board, would I be out here talkin' to you? You've got it easy. You're behind that face. Brother, from the front it's terrible."
Captain Finch, "And don't ever offer anybody money like that - in the presence of witnesses."
Maisie Ravier, "Hey, what happens to me? Can I come along?" Dr. Michael Shane, "Suit yourself." Maisie, "Well, it's you or the crocodiles, and they got more teeth."
Maisie Ravier, "What was that?" Dr. Michael Shane, "A baboon drumming." Maisie, "Now, who'd give a baboon a drum, missionaries?"
Maisie Ravier, "Hmh. All the modern conveniences. Electric lights, hot and cold running monkeys...."
Maisie Ravier, "Hey, wait a minute. This is not how you look at a place. I've even had fun in Philadelphia - in good company."
Dr. Michael Shane, "I spent five years serving humanity. Now I'm looking out for Michael Shane." Dr. John McWade, "I didn't know you could measure service to humanity five years and then no more."
Dr. Michael Shane, "Little girls who listen at key holes don't go to heaven." Maisie, "I know, but sometimes you get a chance to help someone you like and I like that Mrs. McWade."
Maisie Ravier, "You better operate." Dr. Michael Shane, "I'm not practicing medicine." Maisie, "Have you stopped practicing being a man?"
Dr. Michael Shane, "I'm going to take that out, McWade. I know you don't like me, but my worst enemy will tell you that I'm handy with a knife."
