The Last Egyptian
Baum's adult novel of Egyptian intrigue and hidden treasure.
The Last Egyptian: A Romance of the Nile is a novel by L. Frank Baum, the creator of the Land of Oz, published anonymously in 1908. Baum withheld his name from the book, fearing that adult fiction might harm his reputation as a children's author, though he later acknowledged authorship. The novel was reissued under Baum's name in 2002, reflecting renewed interest in his work.
Quick Facts
- Author
- L. Frank Baum
- Illustrator
- Francis P. Wightman
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Genre
- Adventure novel/romance
- Publisher
- Edward Stern & Co.
- Published
- 1908
- Format
- Print (hardcover)
Facts from the source article.
Plot summary
Kāra claims descent from Ahtka-Rā, High Priest of Ămen, who he says ruled Rameses II as a puppet and concealed the pharaoh's death for two years, reducing his reign from 67 years to 65. Kāra learned this from his grandmother, Princess Hatatcha, who fled Egypt at 17, married Lord Roane, and raised him on hieroglyphic papyri proving her royal lineage. The treasure cache that supports them is hidden behind a wall in a cliffside cavern. Tadros and the Bey compete to acquire the papyri; Kāra nearly kills Tadros for stealing one but spares him, trading the papyrus for a girl named Nepthys, a cigarette smoker destined for another's harem.
Film adaptation
A film version of the novel was released in December 1914, written and produced by Baum, with J. Farrell MacDonald directing and playing the title role. The October 17, 1914 issue of Motion Picture News reported that Baum and J. Charles Haydon were co-directing. The film was intended as a new direction for The Oz Film Manufacturing Company, to be followed by adaptations of two other Baum novels, but it was not successful; the Oz name had become box office poison for juvenile films, and a rebranding as Dramatic Feature Films did not help. This film is the only one of the company's four features never released for home use. The sole known print is held by the Museum of Modern Art. Bill Morrison used clips in his 2002 film Decasia, identifiable by the Hatatcha name on a tomb. Scott Andrew Hutchins contacted Morrison, who said he obtained the print from MoMA. Only three of the five reels survive. Hearn and David Moyer presented the film with commentary. The cast included J. Farrell MacDonald as Kāra, Howard Davies as Winston Bey, J. Charles Haydon as Tadros, Jane Urban as Nepthys, Mai Wells as Princess Hatatcha, Fred Woodward as Sebbet the Embalmer, Vivian Reed as Aneth Consinor, Frank Moore as Lord Roane, Jefferson Osborne as Viscount Consinor, Mrs. Emmons as Tilga, Ora Buckley as Mrs. Everingham, and Pierre Couderc as Sheik Antar.
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