Wednesday - A’Zambezi
A quick note before Derek goes into town to post. Night shooting on Monday was very cold – but luckily with one other man left the set early (11:30) I was on the ramparts – 50 feet high amid some of the young chaps – mostly high with drink and drugs (several on cocaine). The platform only 3 foot wide – then a sheer drop to the ground. I refused to stay after once almost pushed over. Next night (Tuesday) all extras required – my name included. Arrived on set to discover I was dismissed for the night (minus shooting pay – also the other man (Paddy – father of the girl who runs Zodiac Travel, Odette must know her). We both now demand full pay as we were called. Tonight???? Still not sure when we finish. It depends on re-takes and whatever yet has to be done. I wonder if Cannon knows?! Some say this weekend (unlikely) – others say next Wednesday or Thursday or two weeks more. I shall be pleased with the earliest date. Seems as if I have been here for years and now not working during the day it becomes a bore. Weather bright during the day and very chilly at night.

Several men have left this week. Regardless of contract they just pack and go – some not saying a word to anyone. Very depleted in number but Cannon not likely to engage new cast. Much blame for the mismanagement must go to Liz James and Sandy and their three assistants – none knowing anything about the job concerned. A bit different compared with being with the REPS. Imagine we will be sent back by coach – the vehicles have to e returned to Harare. I have a copy of the script – badly written and terrible dialogue. It will be a very dim film and possibly even Richard Chamberlain won’t save it. But effects may give it a popular appeal

Vic Falls a rather dismal town now. No cinema – one supermarket. The Casino nothing like that at the Montclair – rather shabby. But I have been there only once (with Mary Forest and Sam – and they lost a lot) without my purse!

Saturday August 24th A'Zambezi
Heard from Andrew Stevens that Elephant Child Productions Staff went on strike (objecting to inefficiency of locally engaged employees!) This meant all were not working and the script did not get Photostated. They left this morning. Do not know if or not the film was completed. Script is now with Viv Bristow who owns the Lion and Cheetah Park. Called to see him at Vic Falls Hotel but he too has gone. Please contact him and suggest we meet when I return or he can return the script if not interested. The girls leave this afternoon. They expected to remain two weeks more. But Cannon changed plans (not unusual). We (the older men) know only that we have not been told to leave – no more. But it is rumoured that we are needed for the big battle scenes – probably at night. Some men also go off today. By end of next week expect to have saved $350. Production still chaotic and disorganised. Very hot and often we stand for hours in boiling hot sun. Quite likely we will get other news early next week but some girls asked to return for 2 days at end of the month. Sheila (one of the nicest girls here – not many) may have phones you and given more details. Do not think children will be needed. Cannon obviously cutting down – as if very poor!

A’Zambezi – Sunday
Glad you managed to get through easily last evening. We had just returned after being paid $34. less than last week as we did not work Monday or Tuesday. On Monday next expect some $60-80. A very odd system of payment which means we get between $100 and $120 in all per week. Robbery of course. Have never know such a disorganised film production. Everyone dislikes Cannon. Richard Chamberlain hates Africa. Several people today contacting RSPCA about bad treatment of cattle and horses used in the film. For days we have been shooting scenes up to the point when James Earl Jones (the Afro-American actor) breaks the altar with his axe. Yesterday reached the time when he actually makes the blow. We rehearsed, no cameras – and the heavy, enormous axe came down – altar in three pieces. Do not know why James E Jones did it. Maybe an accident, perhaps he forgot we were not shooting. Anyway a new altar has to be made to complete the scene. We are now several shots behind schedule. On the set yesterday at 7am. One shot (with extras) only. We finished at 5:30pm. Bones and muscles ache with sitting on hard floors hour after hour.

Flu and sore throats going around here. The Nurse has been told off about issuing too many tablets etc – anti-cold. Cannon would rather that the extra cast are off ill than to run up a medical bill.

The young groups are very rowdy and have made a very bad reputation here. This the end of our second week seems like two years. Probably half way through. About 15 left this weekend – but new recruits are coming in from Bulawayo. Think more would like to go but are not too keen to pay their own return fare. The ‘rebels’ did not get their danger money but Cannon – (in reply to their demand) said they felt sure the scenes would look spectacular on the wide screen! Or, in other words, the extra payment comes from the glory of working for Cannon!

Monday
On set 7am – 7pm. Hear from Liz James young people will be needed but she will not know until last minute. Cannon do not intend sending any children up from Harare. Everyone exhausted. Today shooting an absolute shambles. Greenburg on the set all the time – very worried looking. Four days behind schedule. PS – The second altar top collapsed!

A’ Zambezi Tuesday
All rather stunned by the latest news – most expected to be en route home tomorrow at the latest. Several more will go anyway (Paying for the ticket). The situation may still change but the production very behind schedule and, it seems, still scenes which require extras – who in fact are ‘bit players’ and should be paid at least three times more. Further exploitation. No shooting for us today (those who remain – about 50% of the original). Richard Chamberlain no on L 50,000 a day – over contract. Have a nice large picture of him. He is very pleasant and charming. Two stand-ins sacked yesterday (for being late). Become very bored here now – do not enjoy sitting in the sun of being idle and had hoped to get back before SJ returned to school.

Stunting for Robert Donner - Toni West was thrown in the City of Gold pool. I found that rather amusing. Robert Donner is from the Mark and Mindy TV show. Henry de Silva should have gone to Rome last Saturday – but still here night shooting. Richards Chamberlain says he has never seen ‘extras’ treated so badly. He too lost his temper on the set last week. Rubber swords broke – there were no fibre glass swords available – had to use real swords. Henry at first refused – then Richard blew up and said he had never known such an inefficient company. He should now be in USA on a new film.

Cannon should make a film about the goings on at the A’ Zambezi among our cast – it would beat the sexy productions set in Ft Lauderdale.

A’Zambezi – Sunday
Last night a disco in the grounds. It lasted until 2am – vibrating the whole area. Feel sure the hippos in the river were not amused. And another disco tonight! Do not know if we older Citizens of the Golden city are to be called for tomorrow night (starting at 5:30pm and finishing at 5:30am) I hope I will not be on the list but 100 men are required and as some are due to leave soon doubt that this number can be made up with even the most senior citizens. 6 girls departed over the weekend – they had enough – the glamour wore off. They willing paid their own return fare. Must say conditions are very poor. We do now get breakfast in the hotel (5am) but nothing more until lunch at 1pm. Have to line up in the burning sun and have to run fast to be among the first 50 or so. And the food is awful. Just one dish plus water. Even the British Army turned out better catering and a 3rd rate station café could do better. I am still eating the food I brought here (Derek has enough for a month!)

We feel sure Richard Chamberlain has had a face lift. Not one wrinkle anywhere and that drawn pinched look. Martin Rabbet, who plays Quatermain's young brother actually looks like RC. Not a good actor and obviously well aware of his exalted position. Sharon Stone very bright and breezy. Henry Silva seems to enjoy talking to the extras and is a pleasant man. He gives and excellent performance. The film is almost up to scheduler but as yet no idea how long we will be here. Liz and Sandy are undoubtedly sympathetic about salaries but they do represent Cannon not us. Dressing room facilities are incredible – a tent – no mirrors or seats no water for washing etc and we bring our own costumes back to the hotel to wash each evening – otherwise we would never get the same costume twice and often had to accept a dirty one. Makeup and hairdressing is farcical. Wigs bought at Macys in Harare! They look awful. I discarded mine and now have gold paste brushed in. My eyebrows have gone pink!

Have just learnt I am not in night shooting. Rather glad although this will cut income by 50% for a few days. Can only foresee chaos on the set. Last evening/night all the young chaps caused a riot of noise and behaved like football hooligans. One was so drunk he had to be taken to hospital. No longer allowed to take photographs. This stopped on Tuesday last but did take a few on Monday