AFRICA EXPRESS (1975) ***

John Baxter (Giuliano Gemma) runs a trading operation with his best friend, a chimp named Biba (herself).  He bumps into a beautiful nun named Madeleine (Ursula Andress) and helps her escape the clutches of the evil Robert Preston (Jack Palance), a slimy cuss who specializes in selling poached ivory.  Since Baxter already cheated Preston at cards, Preston is all-too eager to get his mitts on them.  Naturally, Baxter finds himself smitten with Madeleine, which presents its own set of problems.

Africa Express sort of plays like a modernized version of the Clint Eastwood flick Two Mules for Sister Sara as Gemma comes to the aid of a woman who may or may not be a nun.  What’s amazing is that it managed to predate Clint’s Every Which Way but Loose by three years as both films feature a hero with a simian best friend.  Surprisingly enough, it’s enormously entertaining and contains its fair share of laughs.  It’s an affable and likeable ramshackle comedy-adventure that’s just a little bit better than you expect it to be at nearly every turn.  

There are a number of winning moments here.  The early scene where Biba helps Gemma cheat Palance at cards immediately sets the playful tone.  I also liked to part where Gemma tries to remove a chief’s infected tooth by tying it to the back of his truck.  I can’t say it’s high art or anything, but it’s hard to resist a movie that features Ursula Andress as a nun who knows Kung Fu.

The enormously appealing performances help to make Africa Express a smooth ride.  Giuliano Gemma makes for an ideal leading man.  He’s handsome, funny, and doesn’t take himself too seriously.  He’s also capable of holding long conversations with a chimp and making it all seem natural and causal.  It’s harder than it looks, folks.  Andress is also a lot of fun and looks spectacular while dressed in her nun’s habit.  If you have a nun fetish, you’ll probably just want to go ahead and add an extra star to the rating.  Palance makes for a formidable villain.  When he’s not busy chewing the scenery, he chews on his pipe for maximum sinister effect.

I could point out that some of the action isn’t staged particularly well, but it would be a moot point since director Michele Lupo is going more for laughs than actual thrills.  While many of the fight scenes and car chases are played for comedic effect, they succeed in getting laughs more often than not.  The ending is unexpectedly touching too.  Gemma’s earnest performance in the final moments helps to end things on a perfect bittersweet note.  

All three leads reappeared in a sequel, Safari Express the next year.

AKA:  Tropical Express.