Bird of Paradise

Plot synopsis:
As a yacht sails into an island chain in the South Pacific, a large number of natives in pontoon boats sail out to greet them. The natives dive for the trinkets the yacht's crew throws them. A shark arrives, scaring most of the natives away. Attempting to catch a shark by throwing it bait that has been tied to a harpoon-sized hook, Johnny Baker (Joel McCrea) accidentally steps into a loop that tightens around his ankle. The shark takes the bait, and the rope grows tighter, causing the rope to yank the young man overboard. Luana (Dolores del Río), the daughter of the chief, saves his life by leaping into the water and cutting the rope.
It is not long before they meet in the middle of the night. Swiftly falling in love, they discover she has been promised by her father to another man – a prince on a neighboring island. An arranged wedding with an elaborate dance sequence then follows. Johnny appears at the nick of time, runs into a circle of burning fire, rescues her as the natives kneel to the fire.
They travel to another island where they hope to live out the rest of their lives. He builds her a house with a roof of thatched grass. However, their idyll is smashed when the local volcano on her home island begins to erupt. She confesses to her lover that she alone can appease the mountain. Her people take her back. When Johnny goes after her, he is wounded in the shoulder by a spear and tied up. The people decide to sacrifice both of them to the volcano, but on the way, the couple are rescued by Johnny's friends and taken aboard the yacht.
Johnny's wound is tended to, but his friends wonder what will become of the lovers. Luana does not fit into Johnny's world. When Johnny is sleeping, Luana's father demands her back. She goes willingly, believing that only she can save her people by voluntarily throwing herself into the volcano's mouth.

Tags: romantic

Review:
I will never forget when I saw "Bird of paradise" and I have never forgotten the name Debra Paget.
I was 16 years old, it was in 1952 and the movie was shown at the local cinema, a tiny place hiding under the pine trees in the village in mid-Sweden where I grew up.
Of course the volcano's eruption immediately stopped when this wonderful woman sacrificed herself for her people.
When I first saw "Bird of Paradise", I was an adolescent and I saw it on television as a not-so-recent movie.
I already had a crush on Debra Paget from having seen her as Morning Star in "Broken Arrow."  I was also a bit enamoured with her sister, Lisa Gaye as Collette DuBois on "the Bob Commings Show."   But I figured that sooner or later I would get over my adolescent infatuation with the exotic characters these sister actresses were playing and eventually I'd settle down, marry a white bread woman, and get an office job like my father.Now it is 40 years later and I have spent the vast majority of that time serving, studying, and teaching in Vietnam, Thailand, and Japan.
When getting my masters in Far East Asian Studies, each time I described one more aspect of the "Bird of Paradise" wedding to a colleague whose specialty was the study of Bali culture, he gasped,  "That's just like it is in Bali!""Jeff Chandler explains to Louis Jordon, 'You must come at night and steal her.' 'But I thought her parents approved of the marriage.' 'They do.
But if they freely let her go, it would mean they don't love her and it would be an insult to her.' 'OK, I come and steal her.
She will scream and fight you.' 'But she loves me and wants to marry me.' 'Yes.
But if she goes with you freely, it would mean she doesn't love her parents and it would be an insult.' 'OK.
You and the young men of the village helped me build it.' 'Well, on that night, we won't be able t find it.
That will be your wedding night music.'Even more than she is in "Broken Arrow",  Debra Paget is devoted to her white husband.
I am ready." I never did find a woman as fully exotic and as completely devoted to me as the image radiated by Debra Paget in "Broken Arrow," "Bird of Paradise,"  "Demetrius and the Gladiators," and "The Ten Commandments." But I have been living with the same Asian woman for 31 years.
One of the reasons I decided to study this field, believe it or not, were the island films.
I loved this film.
Jourdan was French and charming and Debra Paget was beautiful.
My grandmother has told me a lot ancient legend of the Hawaiian islands.
I've seen the Bird of Paradise movie for the first time when I was in grade school, then the last time as a adult.
This movie has a lot to say to the new generation about life.
This is one movie I would like to get.
And understand that in life there will be love, suffering and sacrifices.
This movie is a true classic of it's own.
And I thank the people who did the movie very well.
Cult movie on the Big Island where it was filmed.
The color version film is still played regularly in downtown Hilo where it has always been a cult classic.
This great movie is ever poignant where each night you can see the glow of the lava still flowing from Madam Pele's Kilauea Volcano.
With these words the Spanish newspaper "SUR" from Málaga in is issue nº 5249 announced on Saturday 4 October 1952 the release of the film "Bird of Paradise" in the Goya Cinema of this city.Being then myself 11 years old boy this film met the expectations aroused by the advertisement in "SUR".
I saw this movie on Thursday 9 October 1952 and I became extremely impressed by the aesthetic outlook and the contents of the adventure in spite of bitter ending.Many years later, I saw this movie again on TV and I realised the there were many aspects I missed on my first watching, because they underlie what it was simply descrpitive or visual: the interesting anthropological study of the acculturation.
Tenga, a "kanaka" (Jeff Chandler), was unable to adapt to the occidental way of life; André Laurence (Louis Jourdan) is also unable to accept, in spite of this efforts, the way in which a tribal social organization solves the problems presented by wild nature, in this case with the ritual sacrifice of his beloved Kalua (Debra Paget).Debra Paget's physical performance -gestures, looks, dances- as communitive elements, specially with André, is excellent.
The movie was actually filmed in a remote spot on a private estate (my family's) on the Island of Hawaii.
She was a life long member of Haili Church in Hilo which is near where the film was made.
Her daughter, well into her 80's and remembering few things always remembered the only line her mother had in the film: AHHHH.Other members of the cast - local extras - were also from Haili Church and generally from the Brown family (Violet Nathanial was a Brown before she married)The filming location is on a large estate outside of Hilo that remains, more than 50 years later, with the same family and has since been used for one of Hawaii 50 episodes..
After studying in the States, the son of a Polynesian Chief (with white in his blood) returns home to the superstition-laden islands along with a vacationing Frenchman he met at the University; despite dire warnings from the soothsaying Kahuna, the white stranger--who represents a portent of turbulence to come--falls in love with his friend's blue-eyed sister and decides he wants to stay.
Adapted and directed by Delmer Daves, the splendor of native life is given a frisky, romantic allure--until the last act when an angry volcano erupts (mostly via stock footage).
Stars Jeff Chandler and Debra Paget (playing brother and sister, fittingly since they both share a dimpled chin) and Louis Jourdan approach the material with dreamy seriousness, avoiding camp and actually creating two-dimensional characters.
Some may argue this production lacks a high-level of gloss or strong special effects, though I believe Daves was focused far more on the customs and beliefs of these people--and also on the love story--than he was on the technical aspects.
As such, it's a better, more emotional picture than its predecessor, and certainly the music by Daniele Amfitheatrof and Ken Darby is a wonderful asset.
45 and never saw a better movie yet!!!!!.
My family and i just loved this movie when we first saw it over 27 and a half yrs ago.
I too can not find this film anywhere.I have searched i don't know how many movie stores their is in hawaii and california and can't find it.
The best part of all i love about his film is when kalua rubs her face against that red material in the end when andre is remebering her she looked beyond outstanding, absolutely ravishing, it's a shame they don't have it out on vhs or dvd by now what, on earth is the problem.
I must say since that last time i saw that movie i was so glad i was with my family both parents and sisters and brothers if i were to watch it today i'd feel alittle empty because all my sisters and brothers are all over the world with families of their own and both my parents has passed, but i have children and grandchildren i'd love to watch this movie with, one great reason is because their is no violence,no nudity,no swearing,just a good clean home movie.
so thank you for letting me express my comments and i hope to see that movie again before my time is over.
Bird of Paradise is a movie that stays in your mind after you see it for its fascinating story,natural sceneries and acting.Debra Paget is so sweet and sweet and sweet in her performance of "Kalua".Just remember the final scene when her lover (Louis Jourdan) is leaving the island after the volcano eruption, and he is thinking and remembering her,and the spectator can see that beautiful sweet smile of Kalua.Jourdan's acting was very good also as the lover.
I dont know if the negative of this film has been lost or what.But is  a good question why the studios has not released this film already on video.The only one available is the one of the 30's.
I think we should have available on VHS and DVD this wonderful 1951 version.
I, too, saw this many years ago.
I've been looking for it for YEARS, too, but somewhere along the line I got confused and thought the name was "Isle of Paradise", so thanks to you, I've gotten straight on that!
Another movie I'm looking for is The Crowd Roars, starring Robert Taylor.
These 2 movies are my favorites from long ago and it would mean SO MUCH to find them.
I am wondering if this movie will be done in DVD.
My family is in this movie, my Dad, Aunties, Uncles and cousins...many of whom my children do not know.
I am always sharing about this movie with them, and would love the opportunity to own it, watch it, and share it with my family.
The reason I am writing to you, is that my Mom told me today, that one of our cousins has the movie, in VHS form, and they were watching it last night.
My Dad, he is the boy at the end of the movie running down the aisle.
My Aunty Violet, she is my great grand Aunty, and she played the Chiefess and I remember spending time with her, before she passed away.
I know that if this movie came out, many, many of the family members would be purchasing this memoir.
Most memorable movie I have seen..
I saw this movie "Bird of Paradise" many years ago.It left such a deep impression on me,it will be forever my favorite movie.
I don't go to the movies anymore,I don't like the sex and violence and the attitude that is going on.
I wished I could buy a DVD or Video of the movie,to show it to my children and grandchildren.I have told them so much about the movie,they would like to see it too.
Why don't they make movies like that anymore?
The actors were still very individual,nowadays they look almost alike.The music was so special,so unforgettable.The story was very romantic,had truly innocent love.The location was a dream,-everything was so great.I have seen many movies in my life,but none of them were so unforgettable..
It is a wonderful mix of beautiful landscapes, great characters, romance, and emotion.
Debra Paget is just outright beautiful.
A beautiful love story.
A beautiful love story.
If you enjoy great old movies, then this is a must see.
My mother told me about this movie, and now I have shared it with my daughter..
Bird of Paradise is a very unusual picture, a subconscious blend of two emerging cultural patterns in 1950s America: 'exotica' and film noir.
Beautiful location photography and a thoughtful screenplay by director-producer Delmer Daves make this one to catch on the late late show (or on Fox Movies!)..
Yes, I've seen the movie too and loved it.
I loved the story line of a simple, happy people who could have done a lot better if the Haole would have just stayed out!
Now look at what the White man has done to those beautiful islands of paradise.
Very little is left of the true Polynesians depicted in this movie.
I just think its appalling that the white man has to destroy every culture, every race, every way of life just to benefit his own greedy lust!
Bird of Paradise: a teen-age crush and a wasted cultural opportunity.
I saw this film in the theater when it was first issued.
Much of this film's portrayal of Polynesian culture is authentic and was carefully researched.
But because scholarly research gets embedded here in such an unbelievable story, the film's central message of cross-cultural universality gets seriously diluted.
Chandler's discomfort with his role may well have stemmed from the fact that he was gay in real life and spends much of his screen time in shots together with Jourdan in which both have very little on.
Jourdan has little to do but look absolutely gorgeous, a skill at which he shines in every film he made.
I saw Bird of Paradise when it first came out and was struck by Debra Paget's beauty and gentleness.
From that time on, I have read innumerable books relating to islands of the South Pacific.
Now, 55 years later, I have written my own "island" books.
I would like to be able to contact Debra Paget for permission to use her pictures in my fourth book in the series.
I recently watched the 1951 version of "Bird Of Paradise" on cable TV and enjoyed it once again.
Directed by Delmer Daves this exotic tale of forbidden love has the usual native customs, rituals, an active volcano and even a Kahuna to hold your interest.
The players including Debra Paget, Jeff Chandler and Louis Jourdan handle their roles adequately.
Highlights include the breathtaking beauty of Debra Paget as the lovely Kalua and the stunning cinematography by Winton Cittoch accented by the original music of Daniele Ampitheatrof.
Footnote: Natural beauty Mary Ann Ventura played Chandler's wife in this her only film and the evil Kahuna was played by non-other than Maurice Schwartz..
Having visited Hawaii once I've maintained that it's such a beautiful place it's impossible not to make a beautiful looking film on location there.
This remake of Bird Of Paradise has both color cinematography and great Hawaiian locations.When I reviewed the 1932 version of Bird Of Paradise with Joel McCrea and Dolores DelRio I said it was dated but entertaining.
The story originally started as a Broadway play by Richard Walton Tully and starred the legendary Laurette Taylor and the one thing that Taylor, DelRio, and Debra Paget in this film have in common is the fiery death by volcano that all these women.
Otherwise we have three separate plots.Here Jeff Chandler, native prince of the island is returning to the South Seas accompanied here by Louis Jourdan who is there for a visit, the two of them having gone to school together.
Chandler has a sister in Debra Paget and she and Jourdan get to kanoodling hot and heavy.But it seems that fate is against these two having a life together as all the signs of their animist tradition are against them.
In the end that's what defeats them.As in the 1932 version there is a healthy respect for those native traditions shown in this, less unusual than for the time of the first film.
Iʻve actually seen this movies once in the Theaters here in the Islands.
My family, friends, and I have been waiting for this movie to be released on DVD.
Will this movie ever be release to the public on DVD?
It is a classic with the Hawaiian Islanders, Iʻd have to say now, with the older generation as our younger generation has yet to see this movie.
I first saw this movie as a young teenager (probably in 1951-2).
I believe it was my favorite movie of all time and I have searched and inquired about a video or replay of movie and have never been able to find anything out about it.
I would love to find someone with influence with local networks to request a replaying of this movie for everyone to enjoy.
Anyone knows why the studios have not release yet on video the 1951 version of "BIRD OF PARADISE"?
I have been looking for this film and all what I have been said is that the studio has not released it yet.This is a beautiful movie with all the ingredients such as the locations scenes,I think is Hawaii,the colors,the music,the acting specially Debra Paget and Louis Jourdan and the touching love story in it.
I don't care if the movie is released on VHS or DVD.
Just is about time this film is available to us..
I grew up watching this movie with my sister.
I love this movie!!!.
I love this movie!!!.
This was a beautifully done picture of Island life, it's superstitions and prejudices.
The acting was superb(Jeff Chandler, Louis Jordan, Debra Paget, Jack Elam) all played their roles true to character.
No fairy tale ending.And the music It was true Hawaiian sounds and hauntingly beautiful.
Does anyone else share my opinion on this movie besides my family?.
From my early growing up, I remember Bird of Paradise as one of the truly beautiful love stories of the screen.
Debra Paget is simply gorgeous as the island girl Kalua who gets involved in doomed relationship with Louis Jourdan.
Jeff Chandler plays Kalua's ever watchful brother who has doubts about the affair from the beginning.
You will need to watch for yourself to see how it all turns out and as you do, you will be treated to beautiful island scenery, a stunning and gorgeous musical score and pretty decent acting from all concerned.
The volcano effects are impressive for its time.
I'm only sorry that film has not received very much air time and the DVD versions are severely under par.
This movie haunted me for years.
I saw this movie in the early 1960s when it was played in black and white on television on "Saturday Night at the Movies." I was in my early teens and very impressionable.
I fell in love with the Polynesian island settings and culture.
More than 40 years later, despite the fact I've never seen this movie again, it still lives vividly in my memory.