The African Queen Premiered in New York 74 Years Ago

The iconic film starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn made its New York debut in 1952.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The classic film 'The African Queen', starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn, premiered in New York City's Capitol Theatre 74 years ago on February 20, 1952. The adventure drama was critically acclaimed and earned Bogart his only Oscar for Best Actor.

Why it matters

The African Queen is considered one of the greatest films of all time and its New York premiere marked a significant moment in cinema history. The movie's success helped cement the legacies of its two lead actors, Bogart and Hepburn, who delivered iconic performances.

The details

Directed by John Huston and produced by Sam Speigel and John Woolf, The African Queen is an adaptation of the 1935 novel of the same name by C.S. Forester. The film follows the story of a riverboat captain, Charlie Allnut (Bogart), and a missionary, Rose Sayer (Hepburn), who navigate a treacherous river in Africa to attack a German gunboat during World War I.

  • The African Queen premiered in New York City on February 20, 1952.
  • The film originally premiered in Los Angeles on December 26, 1951 to qualify for the 24th Academy Awards.
  • The African Queen was released nationwide in the United States on March 21, 1952.

The players

Humphrey Bogart

An acclaimed American actor who won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Captain Charlie Allnut in The African Queen.

Katharine Hepburn

A legendary American actress who starred as missionary Rose Sayer opposite Bogart in The African Queen.

John Huston

The director of The African Queen, known for his acclaimed films like The Maltese Falcon and The Treasure of the Sierra Madre.

Sam Speigel

The producer of The African Queen, who had a successful career producing acclaimed films.

C.S. Forester

The author of the 1935 novel The African Queen, upon which the film was based.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's a very long way from the Belgian Congo to the stage of the Pantages Theatre, and I'm very glad to say that it's a little nicer here than it was there.”

— Humphrey Bogart

“I just want to pay a slight, as a matter of fact, a very big tribute to Mr. John Huston and Miss Katherine Hepburn because they helped me to be where I am now.”

— Humphrey Bogart

What’s next

The African Queen can be purchased on Apple TV for $3.99 or watched for free on YouTube, allowing modern audiences to experience this classic film.

The takeaway

The enduring legacy of The African Queen, from its acclaimed performances to its historic New York premiere, solidifies its place as one of the most iconic films in cinema history.