As a homeowner on Salt Cay, Turks and Caicos, this movie is very special. Bahama Passage was filmed on Salt Cay and Grand Turk. It shows, for those of us who missed those days, what our island looked like. The White House..home of Adrian, is still standing. The office, where Moreno gets slapped around by Leo G. Carroll just fell down in Hurricane Frances. Some of the rooms in the movie still exist in the White House, and frankly, haven't changed a bit. I am very much interested in doing a history article on the filming of Bahama Passage--one of my sources for the story was only about 8 years old at the time, so her history is a little thin in spots..but she lived in the White House and remembers many things quite well. The content of the story, as in the book Dildo Cay, is somewhat thin. But I can look at Sterling Hayden and Madeline Carrol all day. You can obtain a VHS print of the movie on Ebay if you keep searching under Bahama Passage..that is how I got mine. I would appreciate any information anyone might have on the filming of this movie so my history is correct.
10 Reviews
Beautiful but not much else
kiroman1018 February 2006
A tortured, angst-ridden story set on a salt farm situated on a remote island in the Bahamas. Madeleine Carroll and Stirling Hayden are visually resplendent but the lackluster story negates whatever potential there is for a passionate island romance. In fact, they manage to wade through the entire film without once kissing, a record for two stars who allegedly were engaged to be married at the time.
Leo G. Carroll and Flora Robson play a paranoiac pair who are convinced that the majority native population is bent on murdering them. The real star of the film is the cinematographer, who succeeds in offsetting a generally dull screenplay.
I'm yet to see a Madeleine Carroll film that was unwatchable, and Bahama Passage is no exception. It would have been nice if the story matched her inimitable beauty and charm, but you can't always get your wish.
Leo G. Carroll and Flora Robson play a paranoiac pair who are convinced that the majority native population is bent on murdering them. The real star of the film is the cinematographer, who succeeds in offsetting a generally dull screenplay.
I'm yet to see a Madeleine Carroll film that was unwatchable, and Bahama Passage is no exception. It would have been nice if the story matched her inimitable beauty and charm, but you can't always get your wish.
This ought to be given the full restoration treatment...
Doylenf4 January 2009
BAHAMA PASSAGE is one of the most beautiful examples of 1940s era color photography, bathing the island scenery in the warm glow of magnificent Technicolor. Unfortunately, it's more memorable for its visual beauty than for any other reason--and this includes the pairing of Madeleine Carroll and Sterling Hayden as co-stars, both at their physical peak and photographed to advantage. Carroll's blonde beauty is emphasized in every close-up and Hayden's physique gets close inspection since he's shirtless most of the time.
Unfortunately, the storyline isn't so memorable. In fact, I have a hard time recalling what it was all about except for reading some of these other comments. I haven't seen the film in years, but the impression lingers that it was a nice bit of "escapist" entertainment, well photographed with scenic beauty but without any lasting story values.
At any rate, it ought to be given full restoration so that fans of Carroll and Hayden can see them in a film that exhibits their chemistry shortly before they were wed.
Unfortunately, the storyline isn't so memorable. In fact, I have a hard time recalling what it was all about except for reading some of these other comments. I haven't seen the film in years, but the impression lingers that it was a nice bit of "escapist" entertainment, well photographed with scenic beauty but without any lasting story values.
At any rate, it ought to be given full restoration so that fans of Carroll and Hayden can see them in a film that exhibits their chemistry shortly before they were wed.
Breathtakngly Beautiful Film (and the scenery is great too)
sbibb112 November 2004
Plot synopsis:
Sterling Hayden is a salt farmer on an island in the Bahamas. When his father dies in an accidental fall, it pushes his unstable mother (Flora Robson) over the edge. She believes he was murdered by the natives of the island. She asks to leave the island and takeup residence on another island.
Leo G. Carroll and his daughter Madeline Carroll (no relation) arrive at the island and help them out. Sterling Hayden is married and does not reveal this fact to Madeline Carroll, and she falls in love with him. When she finds out he is married she is upset and feels like a fool for falling for him.
Meanwhile, Flora Robson has gotten Leo G. Carroll worked up and he believes as well that the islanders are out to kill them. In a weak moment he shoots and kills a native boy, and the trouble begins for everyone.
The film was shot on location in the Bahamas and the scenery is breathtakingly beautiful. The film was shot in technicolor and the colors originally must have been bright and vibrant. Watching the movie made me wish I was there.
Madeline Carroll is breathtakingly beautiful in this film. Dressed most of the time in white she gives off a inner glow. Sterling Hayden will surely make female hearts flutter (and a few men too) he seems to spend the better portion of the film shirtless.
The supporting cast is good and able. Mary Anderson plays Hayden's wife, though she appears in only one brief scene. Dorothy Dandridge appears as a maid in this film, early in her career, and is only in a few scenes.
This film is still under copyright and is not available on VHS or DVD. If you can get a copy of this film I suggest you watch it. The scenery and the cast alone make it worth while.
Sterling Hayden is a salt farmer on an island in the Bahamas. When his father dies in an accidental fall, it pushes his unstable mother (Flora Robson) over the edge. She believes he was murdered by the natives of the island. She asks to leave the island and takeup residence on another island.
Leo G. Carroll and his daughter Madeline Carroll (no relation) arrive at the island and help them out. Sterling Hayden is married and does not reveal this fact to Madeline Carroll, and she falls in love with him. When she finds out he is married she is upset and feels like a fool for falling for him.
Meanwhile, Flora Robson has gotten Leo G. Carroll worked up and he believes as well that the islanders are out to kill them. In a weak moment he shoots and kills a native boy, and the trouble begins for everyone.
The film was shot on location in the Bahamas and the scenery is breathtakingly beautiful. The film was shot in technicolor and the colors originally must have been bright and vibrant. Watching the movie made me wish I was there.
Madeline Carroll is breathtakingly beautiful in this film. Dressed most of the time in white she gives off a inner glow. Sterling Hayden will surely make female hearts flutter (and a few men too) he seems to spend the better portion of the film shirtless.
The supporting cast is good and able. Mary Anderson plays Hayden's wife, though she appears in only one brief scene. Dorothy Dandridge appears as a maid in this film, early in her career, and is only in a few scenes.
This film is still under copyright and is not available on VHS or DVD. If you can get a copy of this film I suggest you watch it. The scenery and the cast alone make it worth while.
"This is the story of the people of Dildo Cay...."
planktonrules21 January 2019
The above quote is from the introduction to "Bahama Passage" and a rather ill-named location it certainly is!
1941 was an eventful year for young Sterling Hayden. He had the distinction of starring in the first two films in which he appeared. Both of which his co-star was Madeleine Carroll...and they both soon married in 1942. Sadly, the marriage didn't last...but it did result in "Virginia" and "Bahama Passage".
When the film begins, Adrian's father is found dead on the beach. Adrian Ainsworth (Hayden) accepts that his father's death was an accident. His mentally ill mother insists that the natives murdered him. However, on this small island of Dildo Key, the natives are friendly and loyal to the Ainsworth family....and they'd have no reason to kill anyone...yet. I say yet because the overseer that Adrian soon hires (Leo G. Carroll) is a harsh and wicked man. Again and again, the overseer provokes the natives until ultimately disaster happens...and Adrian is left to care for the man's daughter, Carol (Madeleine Carroll).
Paramout spent a lot of money on this production, with a location shoot in the Turks & Caicos as well as filming it in color. Despite this, the story is weak due to the writing and some of the acting. While I love Hayden and his films, when he finds his father dead he was simply terrible...with zero emotion and making for a very unconvincing scene. Additionally, Ms. Carroll's character is very poorly written. While you are supposed to like her and cheer for a romance between her and Adrian, she is wishy-washy in dealing with her irresponsible jerk of a father. It makes no sense for her to adore Adrian yet again and again to side with her father against him when clearly her father is not only wrong but created all the problems. She is too weak...and unlikable as a result. Overall, a nice looking film that doesn't quite hit the mark.
1941 was an eventful year for young Sterling Hayden. He had the distinction of starring in the first two films in which he appeared. Both of which his co-star was Madeleine Carroll...and they both soon married in 1942. Sadly, the marriage didn't last...but it did result in "Virginia" and "Bahama Passage".
When the film begins, Adrian's father is found dead on the beach. Adrian Ainsworth (Hayden) accepts that his father's death was an accident. His mentally ill mother insists that the natives murdered him. However, on this small island of Dildo Key, the natives are friendly and loyal to the Ainsworth family....and they'd have no reason to kill anyone...yet. I say yet because the overseer that Adrian soon hires (Leo G. Carroll) is a harsh and wicked man. Again and again, the overseer provokes the natives until ultimately disaster happens...and Adrian is left to care for the man's daughter, Carol (Madeleine Carroll).
Paramout spent a lot of money on this production, with a location shoot in the Turks & Caicos as well as filming it in color. Despite this, the story is weak due to the writing and some of the acting. While I love Hayden and his films, when he finds his father dead he was simply terrible...with zero emotion and making for a very unconvincing scene. Additionally, Ms. Carroll's character is very poorly written. While you are supposed to like her and cheer for a romance between her and Adrian, she is wishy-washy in dealing with her irresponsible jerk of a father. It makes no sense for her to adore Adrian yet again and again to side with her father against him when clearly her father is not only wrong but created all the problems. She is too weak...and unlikable as a result. Overall, a nice looking film that doesn't quite hit the mark.
Beginning their beguine.
mark.waltz2 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Even their palms seem to be swaying in this strange but colorful tropical adventure that shows how the beauty of one world can affect the fragility of the mind. Sterling Hayden is a nice sight look at with his masculine physique, strong and dependable face, and sandy blonde hair, yet troubled because of the parents who were not the happiest.
The film opens with a death of his unseen father, and shows the reaction of his mentally unstable mother, Flora Robson. Interloper Leo G. Carroll steps in to try to take over the island that his family has run for generations, and Hayden begins a love, hate relationship with his daughter, Madeline carroll, even though he's married to the unfaithful Mary Anderson who has left the island allegedly to be near her family and won't grant him a divorce.
This is a strange film, breathtakingly beautiful in its use of Technicolor (infrequent in the early 40's outside of the occasional epic), but neurotic and its characterizations and as strange as a tropical hurricane wind in the psychological issues of the main characters.
Robson and Carroll as the surviving parents indicate why both of their children are lousy at relationships, and Carroll's character has way too many needy issues to be a good spouse so it's difficult to root for her and Hayden to get together. Based upon a novel by Nelson Hayes who was obviously trying to emulate Hemingway, this perhaps needed some expansion to really show the development of these characters and give us an insight into their minds because as it is in its 80 minute running time, there are a lot of unanswered questions and a strange direction (Edward H. Griffith) which on several viewings has left me perplexed.
The film opens with a death of his unseen father, and shows the reaction of his mentally unstable mother, Flora Robson. Interloper Leo G. Carroll steps in to try to take over the island that his family has run for generations, and Hayden begins a love, hate relationship with his daughter, Madeline carroll, even though he's married to the unfaithful Mary Anderson who has left the island allegedly to be near her family and won't grant him a divorce.
This is a strange film, breathtakingly beautiful in its use of Technicolor (infrequent in the early 40's outside of the occasional epic), but neurotic and its characterizations and as strange as a tropical hurricane wind in the psychological issues of the main characters.
Robson and Carroll as the surviving parents indicate why both of their children are lousy at relationships, and Carroll's character has way too many needy issues to be a good spouse so it's difficult to root for her and Hayden to get together. Based upon a novel by Nelson Hayes who was obviously trying to emulate Hemingway, this perhaps needed some expansion to really show the development of these characters and give us an insight into their minds because as it is in its 80 minute running time, there are a lot of unanswered questions and a strange direction (Edward H. Griffith) which on several viewings has left me perplexed.
I have seen BOTH "Virginia" and "Bahama Passage"
radodge12 June 2005
As I understand it, both of these films are among the Paramount films purchased by Universal. They are both fabulously beautiful films with wonderful casts and it is a shame that UNIVERSAL does not issue them as one of their DOUBLE FEATURE dvds. It is a shame that two films of this quality and historic interest are not available. Both of these films are exceptional. They have color photography and location filming unusual for the time (1941). Both have big name supporting players of interest, especially Dorothy Dandridge. Mr Hayden was encumbered with the irksome title 'the most beautiful man in the movies' at this time. Fortunately for his employers, he is a good enough actor that his annoyance does not show.
Searching for a video or DVD of BAHAMA PASSAGE
quietman-57 May 2004
I saw Bahama Passage in the Avon Theater in Providence, Rhode Island in 1941 or 1942. The film, with the Bahama's incredible water shown in Technicolor made a lasting impression on me. I have traveled throughout the Bahamas for many years never tiring of the beauty of these islands. I have not seen the film in sixty years and I am unsure if a print still exists. If anyone knows if a copy of the film exists and where a copy can be purchased I wouild greatly appreciate hearing from you. Many years ago I was able to make a color VCR tape of "Virginia" which is also a fine film starring Madeline Carroll, Sterling Hayden and Fred MacMurray. I believe Madeline Carroll and Sterling Hayden were married during the filming of either Bahama Passage or Virginia. Thanks for your help.
The 18 Year Old Dorothy Dandridge
The Novelist10 April 2002
I found this dull production of 'Bahama Passage' a test of endurance in order to see the 18 year old Dorothy Dandridge at work. She was lucky to act in Hollywood films during her teens, and although she wasn't incredibly famous, she did earn a living out of acting in films.
Overcoming trouble in paradise
jarrodmcdonald-129 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This was the second film that Sterling Hayden made for Paramount, billed as Stirling with an 'i' instead of an 'e.' His motion picture debut had occurred earlier in 1941, in VIRGINIA- another Technicolor drama that also starred Madeleine Carroll, whom the actor would marry in 1942.
While making BAHAMA PASSAGE, the couple worked on location in Salt Cay, the second largest of the Turks Islands in the Caribbean. The Turks and Caicos Islands were then and still are today, British territory. Sterling Hayden was quite familiar with this region. He had dropped out of school at age 16 to find work as a sailor; and he had made many trips from Massachusetts down to the islands. It was a happy place for him.
BAHAMA PASSAGE began production in the summer of '41. The completed film was released the second week of December, a few days after the U. S. entered the second world war. Interestingly, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor attended the premiere which was held in Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas. Proceeds from the premiere were sent to a war-relief charity back in England.
The movie was a hit with audiences. Today it provides a unique look at Salt Cay where the majority of on-location scenes took place. Salt Cay is only two-and-a-half miles long. For over three generations, it was ruled by the wealthy Harriott family. The Harriotts' home, called The White House, was built in 1825 and it still stands.
The White House is a popular tourist destination now. From the 1800s until 1950, the Harriott family lived there, overseeing the main industry, which was- no surprise- salt mining. A descendant of Rosalie Harriott, the last member of the family to live in The White House, still owns the property today. Rosalie went off to school in Canada in 1949, and her parents left Salt Cay a year later.
The salt mining business ended due to a changing post-war economy. I mention some of this, because the main plot of BAHAMA PASSAGE is about how the family, named Ainsworth in the movie, is trying to keep their salt business afloat. Mr. Hayden plays the descendant, who is forced to bring in outside help after his father dies and his mother (Flora Robson) is on the verge of a breakdown.
Help comes in the form of a ruthless consultant (Leo G. Carroll) and his socialite daughter (Madeleine Carroll, no offscreen relation). Mr. Carroll's tactics soon alienate the local workers, which is mostly comprised of the black population.
The race relations depicted in the film suggest how the Harriotts held on to their empire and ran Salt Cay. In its heyday, Salt Cay had a population of 200 people Today it is more like 100. When the Harriotts were in charge, there were three separate social classes- whites (the rich and powerful ruling family); lights (a mulatto group that ran the shops and handled some of the shipping); and blacks (the working class miners).
Paramount's production uses a screenplay based on a bestselling novel by Nelson Hayes that was published in 1940. In Hayes' novel, there is considerable misogyny in the way the white Ainsworth family and their new business consultant deal with the blacks. Also, there are feminist implications, since Miss Robson's character is quite mad. It is said the men marry to keep a bloodline going, and the women who are mostly unloved, go insane.
Side note...the Harriotts were unhappy with Hayes' book and threatened to sue him and his publisher. I would imagine the reason they did not carry out legal action is because the island did benefit financially when Paramount went there to make the movie.
Back to the story...while Hayden's character ponders his future, Leo Carroll's character has trouble controlling the black workers. During a climactic party scene, he fires a gun to scare some of the men. Two people die as a result of this- a worker who took a bullet from the fired weapon; and Robson's character, whose heart is too weak to withstand the scandal.
Leo Carroll is taken off by the blacks who plan to enact their own justice. He tries to get away and drowns in an apparent suicide. After this turn of events, Mr. Hayden and Miss Carroll work together to ease tensions and save the salt company. Meanwhile, they've fallen in love amid this exotic backdrop.
Hayden's character has a wife who has been living apart from him. But when she is discovered to have a lover and is now seeking a divorce, it seems like there will be nothing but paradise for our two lovebirds.
While making BAHAMA PASSAGE, the couple worked on location in Salt Cay, the second largest of the Turks Islands in the Caribbean. The Turks and Caicos Islands were then and still are today, British territory. Sterling Hayden was quite familiar with this region. He had dropped out of school at age 16 to find work as a sailor; and he had made many trips from Massachusetts down to the islands. It was a happy place for him.
BAHAMA PASSAGE began production in the summer of '41. The completed film was released the second week of December, a few days after the U. S. entered the second world war. Interestingly, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor attended the premiere which was held in Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas. Proceeds from the premiere were sent to a war-relief charity back in England.
The movie was a hit with audiences. Today it provides a unique look at Salt Cay where the majority of on-location scenes took place. Salt Cay is only two-and-a-half miles long. For over three generations, it was ruled by the wealthy Harriott family. The Harriotts' home, called The White House, was built in 1825 and it still stands.
The White House is a popular tourist destination now. From the 1800s until 1950, the Harriott family lived there, overseeing the main industry, which was- no surprise- salt mining. A descendant of Rosalie Harriott, the last member of the family to live in The White House, still owns the property today. Rosalie went off to school in Canada in 1949, and her parents left Salt Cay a year later.
The salt mining business ended due to a changing post-war economy. I mention some of this, because the main plot of BAHAMA PASSAGE is about how the family, named Ainsworth in the movie, is trying to keep their salt business afloat. Mr. Hayden plays the descendant, who is forced to bring in outside help after his father dies and his mother (Flora Robson) is on the verge of a breakdown.
Help comes in the form of a ruthless consultant (Leo G. Carroll) and his socialite daughter (Madeleine Carroll, no offscreen relation). Mr. Carroll's tactics soon alienate the local workers, which is mostly comprised of the black population.
The race relations depicted in the film suggest how the Harriotts held on to their empire and ran Salt Cay. In its heyday, Salt Cay had a population of 200 people Today it is more like 100. When the Harriotts were in charge, there were three separate social classes- whites (the rich and powerful ruling family); lights (a mulatto group that ran the shops and handled some of the shipping); and blacks (the working class miners).
Paramount's production uses a screenplay based on a bestselling novel by Nelson Hayes that was published in 1940. In Hayes' novel, there is considerable misogyny in the way the white Ainsworth family and their new business consultant deal with the blacks. Also, there are feminist implications, since Miss Robson's character is quite mad. It is said the men marry to keep a bloodline going, and the women who are mostly unloved, go insane.
Side note...the Harriotts were unhappy with Hayes' book and threatened to sue him and his publisher. I would imagine the reason they did not carry out legal action is because the island did benefit financially when Paramount went there to make the movie.
Back to the story...while Hayden's character ponders his future, Leo Carroll's character has trouble controlling the black workers. During a climactic party scene, he fires a gun to scare some of the men. Two people die as a result of this- a worker who took a bullet from the fired weapon; and Robson's character, whose heart is too weak to withstand the scandal.
Leo Carroll is taken off by the blacks who plan to enact their own justice. He tries to get away and drowns in an apparent suicide. After this turn of events, Mr. Hayden and Miss Carroll work together to ease tensions and save the salt company. Meanwhile, they've fallen in love amid this exotic backdrop.
Hayden's character has a wife who has been living apart from him. But when she is discovered to have a lover and is now seeking a divorce, it seems like there will be nothing but paradise for our two lovebirds.
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