Kid ‘n’ Africa was the seventh in a series of Baby Burlesque films in which child actors parodied adult movie. Shortly after Kid ‘in’ Africa was made, the Hays commission shut down such productions.

Members of the faculty might want to discuss the sexuality and sexism in Kid ‘n’ Africa.

Professor Sam Hays has compiled some references on burlesque which provide background information to set the film in its historical context.

Plot Summary

Craig Butler, writing for the New York Times, provides the following plot summary for Kid 'in' Africa.

Kid in Africa is a one-reeler that places young children in the roles usually played by adults in a typical jungle adventure. Shirley Temple plays Madame Cradlebait, a missionary determined to civilize the cannibals in the jungle. Her expedition, weary from travel, settles in a camp after a long journey. Unfortunately, cannibals immediately appear. Her party flees, and Cradlebait is captured and placed in a giant stew pot. As the cannibal chef prepares his tasty dish, her cries for help are heard far away by a jungle boy (played by Daniel Boone Jr.). He gives his famous yell several times, spraying his throat when necessary, and rides his trusty elephant to the rescue. Cradlebait enlists the jungle boy's help in civilizing the cannibals by building a city in the jungle, the straw buildings of which replicate a busy hotel, gas station (dispensing milk), etc. The jungle boy has also been civilized, now wearing middle class finery and apparently married to Cradlebait, who forbids him to golf as he wants, as he must go home and do the dishes. She takes the reins of the elephant from him and guides them home, where he is also called upon to take a diaper and attend to the cries of the little one in their tree house home.

Analysis

Kid ‘in’ Africa is an extremely racist and sexist film that relies on stereotypes to convey most of its humor. It is also a perfect example of ethnocentrism and cultural imperialism.

Film Preview

A copy of Kid ‘in’ Africa is available for preview in the Faculty Resource Center located in the Bradner library.