Never the Twain Shall Meet (1931)

Dan works for Pritchard and Pritchard out of San Francisco and is in love with Maisie, referred to as "the icebox" by his news reporter friend. As one of his ships returns to San Francisco,... See full summary »

Director:

W.S. Van Dyke

Writers:

Peter B. Kyne (from the story by), Edwin Justus Mayer (dialogue continuity),

Stars:

Leslie Howard, Conchita Montenegro, C. Aubrey Smith

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Leslie Howard	...	Dan
Conchita Montenegro	...	Tamea
C. Aubrey Smith	...	Mr. Pritchard
Karen Morley	...	Maisie
Mitchell Lewis	...	Larrieau
Hale Hamilton	...	Mellenger
Clyde Cook	...	Porter
Bob Gilbert	...	Tolongo
Joan Standing	...	Julia
Eulalie Jensen	...	Mrs. Graves

Storyline

Dan works for Pritchard and Pritchard out of San Francisco and is in love with Maisie, referred to as "the icebox" by his news reporter friend. As one of his ships returns to San Francisco, Dan learns that the Captain has contracted Leprosy and asks Dan to be the guardian of his South Sea island daughter Tamea. Dan soon learns that Tamea wants him and will do nothing without a kiss. But Tamea soon learns that she is different than Dan and Maisie and that makes her angry. Dan decides to go and live on the island with Tamea, but soon finds out that Paradise is not everything that he thought it was.

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Plot Keywords:

guardian | south sea island | leprosy | san francisco california | sea captain | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 May 1931 (USA)

Also Known As:

Aldrig mødes de tvende

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

79 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Version of Never the Twain Shall Meet (1925)

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Soundtracks

"Pagan Love Song"
(1929) (uncredited)
Music by Nacio Herb Brown
Lyrics by Arthur Freed

User Reviews

A one-note performance SEVERELY hinders this film.

With better writing, "Never the Twain Shall Meet" might have been a decent film. It might have also been a positive film in regard to race. However, the main character in the film comes off as so obnoxious and one-dimensional that it's really hard to watch this film. I found myself repeatedly contemplating turning off the movie and I am sure I am not in the minority on this one! The film begins with a shipping magnate (Leslie Howard) being given custody of a 'girl' who is part Polynesian. This girl is actually about 20--and so you can't help but laugh when Howard keeps treating Tamea (Conchita Montenegro) like a kid. As for Tamea, as I mentioned above, she is just plain obnoxious and about as subtle as a nudist at a Baptist picnic! She comes off less as a Polynesian in America and more like a dog in heat. I know that sounds crude, but she IS crude--and everyone in the movie EXCEPT Howard's character knows she is a horny she-demon (subtle...not!). And, she seems LESS at ease in America than Tarzan!! Now considering that she had an American father, you'd think she'd have SOME civility, manners and subtlety. Instead, she is a curious THING for the audience's amusement. So, while the MGM folks might have thought the film was progressive in the treatment of race (after all, having a romance between a White guy and half-Polynesian was pretty racy for 1931), it comes off as patronizing and dumb. What should he do with this dopey savage girl? Eventually, Howard FINALLY realizes that Tamea is one hot tomato and he does what any man would do in this situation--he gives up his career, moves to the South Pacific with her and becomes a beach bum! What's next? Who cares?! It's all just a silly mess.

As for Miss Montenegro, I felt a bit sorry for her in this film. I assume most of her lousy performance was because of the script and direction. How could ANYONE do this part well?! But somehow Leslie Howard came from this film unscathed--and when folks think of him today, they tend to remember him fondly for his role in "Gone With the Wind"--not this film turkey.