Filmed on location,
White Witch Doctor
is set in the Belgian Congo, circa 1907. Professional hunter Lonni Douglas (Robert Mitchum) is hired by nurse Ellen Burton (Susan Hayward) to escort her into the African interior, in hopes of finding her former mentor. Eventually they discover that the man Burton seeks has died, but Burton decides to stay around for awhile and tend to the wounds of the local witch doctor's injured son -- and, incidentally, to convince the tribesmen that "white man's medicine" is a good thing. Unfortunately, Douglas' avaricious partner Huysman (Walter Slezak) endangers the lives of himself, Douglas and Burton by going on a forbidden hunt for gold. Based on a novel by Louise A. Steindorf,
is distinguished by Bernard Herrmann's evocative musical score, wherein genuine African musical instruments are utilized.