Kimberley Jim

Kimberley Jim is a 1963 South African musical comedy film directed by Emil Nofal and starring Jim Reeves, Madeleine Usher and Clive Parnell.[1] Its plot follows an American singer who takes part in the Kimberley diamond rush in South Africa in the late 19th century. More specifically, "Jim Reeves and Clive Parnell play likable con-men who earn their living by selling patent medicine and cheating at poker ... two invest their winnings into developing a diamond mine but must outsmart the crooked local businessman", according to one summary.[2][3]

Reeves, a country singer, enjoyed international popularity during the 1960s. According to Billboard magazine, "Reeves’ star shone equally bright overseas in England, India, Germany, and even South Africa".[4] In the film, the artist sings part of one song in Afrikaans.[5] The soundtrack of 14 songs included the songs "Kimberley Jim," "Strike It Rich," "I Grew Up," "My Life Is A Gypsy," "Born To Be Lucky," "Old Fashioned Rag," "Diamonds In The Sand," "A Stranger's Just A Friend," " Fall In And Follow," "Roving Gambler" and "Dolly With The Dimpled Knees."[6][7]

Most exteriors were filmed in the area of the small town of Brit while interiors were shot at the Jamie Uys studios in the Northcliff suburb of Johannesburg. Reeves later said that he enjoyed the film-making experience and would consider devoting more of his career to this medium.[8] The film was released in 1965 after Reeves's death in an airplane crash.[9]

Cast
  • Jim Reeves - Jim Madison
  • Madeleine Usher - Julie Patterson
  • Clive Parnell - Gerry Bates
  • Arthur Swemmer - Bert Patterson
  • Vonk de Ridder - Danny Pretorius
  • Tromp Terréblanche - Ben Vorster
  • Mike Holt - Punchy
  • Dawid van der Walt - Jan le Roux
  • Ruth Neethling - Elize
  • George Moore - Fred Parker
  • Freddie Prozesky - Neels le Roux
  • Don Leonard - Rube
  • Morris Blake - Max Bloom

References
  1. BFI.org
  2. KIMBERLEY JIM 1963
  3. KIMBERLEY JIM Trailer
  4. A Tribute to Country Crooner Jim Reeves on the 50th Anniversary of His Death
  5. Kimberley Jim
  6. KIMBERLEY JIM 1963
  7. Jim Reeves – Music From The Movie "Kimberley Jim"
  8. Jordan, Larry (December 24, 2018). Jim Reeves: His Untold Story. Page Turner Books International. p. 467. ISBN 978-0615524306.
  9. Changing Times: Music and Politics in 1964 page 258
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