Nino's Gang

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Lore & Background

The film *Sabaka* was written, directed, and co-produced by Frank Ferrin, filmed partially on location in India. It starred Victor Jory, Boris Karloff, Peter Coe, Reginald Denny, June Foray, and Jay Novello. The story follows Gunga Ram, an Indian boy played by Nino Marcel, who swears vengeance on a religious death cult that murdered his sister Indria and her husband. The killings were ordered by the High Priestess of Sabaka (June Foray) and Ashok (Victor Jory). Gunga Ram sets out with his pet tiger and trained elephant to destroy the cult's fire shrine.

In Their Own Story

In February 1953, after completing *Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde*, Boris Karloff was announced to return to England for a Jules Verne movie, but that project was cancelled. Karloff was then signed for *Sabaka*. Most of the film was shot in India, but Karloff's and Victor Jory's scenes were all shot in Hollywood. The film was originally titled *Gunga Ram*, but RKO Pictures complained it was too similar to their 1939 film *Gunga Din*. It was briefly renamed *The Hindu* for its May 15, 1953 premiere, then changed to *Sabaka* just before its general release in February 1955.

Reader's Guide

The film's plot is set in India. Gunga Ram, a young Indian boy, swears vengeance on members of a religious death cult that murdered his sister Indria and her husband. The Maharajah of Bakore disbelieves him, and when he turns to the Maharajah's General Pollegar (Boris Karloff), he is denied justice. Gunga Ram then sets out with his two animal companions—a pet tiger and a trained elephant—to destroy the evil cult of Sabaka's fire shrine. The cast includes Nino Marcel as Gunga Ram, Boris Karloff as General Pollegar, Lou Krugman as the Maharajah of Bakore, Reginald Denny as Sir Cedric, June Foray as Marku Ponjoy (High Priestess of Sabaka), Victor Jory as Ashok, Jay Novello as Damji, Lisa Howard as Indria, Peter Coe as Taru, Paul Marion as Kumar, Vito Scotti as Rama, Louis Merrill as Koobah, Jeanne Bates as Durga, and K. K. Sinha as Fire Dancer.

Did You Know?

• The film was originally to be called *Gunga Ram*, but RKO Pictures complained the title was too similar to their 1939 film *Gunga Din*.
• The picture was briefly renamed *The Hindu* for its May 15, 1953 premiere screening before being changed to *Sabaka* for its general release in February 1955.
• Most of *Sabaka* was shot in India, but Boris Karloff's and Victor Jory's scenes were all shot in Hollywood.
• Frank Ferrin, who wrote, directed, and co-produced *Sabaka*, also produced and directed the 1955 television show *Andy's Gang*.
• Nino Marcel, who played Gunga Ram, appeared live on *Andy's Gang* with Andy Devine on two occasions.