A CULT Hollywood movie starring a rugby player turned actor from Cross Keys will finally receive its British premiere 50 years after it was made.

Rex Richards played for Wales and Cross Keys but left for Hollywood in the 1950s to seek fame and fortune.

He had a number of roles, including a part as the King of Wongo in "Wild Women of Wongo" in 1958, since voted by film buffs as one of the 10 worst films ever made.

It has never had a public screening in this country, but is a cult hit on YouTube, with clips getting more than 6,000 hits.

Now, a local man has finally arranged a showing at Cross Keys RFC on May 9.

Viv Huskings, of Groundwork Caerphilly, has researched the life of Mr Richards, who was 54 when he died in 1989.

He said: "He played for Cross Keys until 1955, was the last player there to be capped for Wales but after one season he went to America.

"Dai Thomas of Cross Keys RFC tried to screen Wongo two years ago to celebrate 50 years since Mr Richards was capped, but he couldn't get the rights."

Mr Huskings contacted the films distributors in America, told them about how well thought of Mr Richards was and has finally been given permission.

The premiere will be held for close friends and family of Mr Richards, including his nephew Julian who was born in Newport and has gone on to be a film director.

There will be a further screening for the public.

Inspired by his uncle's acting, Julian Richards has worked with Steven Spielberg and is currently in Brazil promoting his latest movie "Summer Scars".

Julian's father Bill Richards is the administrative controller of Handiland in Mill Parade, Newport.

Bill Richards said although Wongo is generally considered a turkey, his brother narrowly missed out on at least one role that would have made him internationally famous.

He said: "Just before he came home he auditioned to play Tarzan and out of 1,000 people he got down to the final two, just missing out to Gordon Scott.

Mr Richards said: "He was nicknamed Tarzan when he played rugby at home, but when he got back he received a letter from America which said the name Tarzan was copyrighted and he should stop using it."

The Wild Women of Wongo factfile

Watch the trailer here

  • The film tells the story of tribes of Apemen and Amazonian women on the tropical island of Wongo
  • Released 1958, it was directed by James L Wolcott
  • It also stars Jean Hawkshaw, Mary Ann Webb and Cande Gerrard
  • The tag line for the film was "prehistoric beauties live by the code of the jungle!"
  • It is included in the book "Golden Turkey Awards", which lists 10 of Hollywoods worst films including Ed Wood's notorious "Plan Nine From Outer Space"
  • A band called The Tubes recorded a song of the same name as a tribute in 1983