Hawaiian Nights (1954)

This Universal "Musical Featurette" (production number 9303) features a slight story line woven around the (as usual) vastly-unfunny comedian Pinky Lee and Universal glamour girls Mamie Van... See full summary »

Director:

Will Cowan

Writer:

Joe Twerp

Stars:

Pinky Lee, Mamie Van Doren, Lisa Gaye

Cast

Cast overview:
Pinky Lee	...	Pinky - the Valet
Mamie Van Doren	...	Glamour Girl
Lisa Gaye	...	Glamour Girl
Alfred Apaka	...	Singer
Ben Chapman	...	The Boss
Tani Marsh	...	Tani Marsh
Steve Steventon	...	Steve
Danny Stewart	...	Orchestra Leader
Tani Marsh Dancers	...	Dancers
The Miss Universe Beauty Pageant Contestants	...	Contest Girls

Storyline

This Universal "Musical Featurette" (production number 9303) features a slight story line woven around the (as usual) vastly-unfunny comedian Pinky Lee and Universal glamour girls Mamie Van Doren and Lisa Gaye. Also included are the 1953 Miss Universe contestants, the Danny Stewart Orchestra and the Tani Marsh Dancers, and musical numbers such as "Minoi Minoi Ay", "Lovely Hula Girl", "Hawaiian Spear Chant", "Kumu in the Muumuu", "Ama Ama", Nohea" and "Hoku Okalania."

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Plot Keywords:

dancer | orchestra | comedian | contestant | miss universe | 

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Genres:

Short | Comedy | Music

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 January 1954 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Maui, Hawaii, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

17 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"Kumu in the Muumuu"
Performed by Pinky Lee, Tani Marsh Dancers

User Reviews

Much Maligned

EVERYBODY'S a critic.

This film, heretofore "lost," finally has been seen on a theater screen in 3D. And while some apparently HATE Pinky Lee (a cross between a poor man's Pee-wee Herman and any number of Vaudvillian solo's of the era) and (per a previous post) this film, just ask the audience that saw it. In MANY of the scenes the audience laughed mighty well for what has been said to be a BORING waste of time.

Nevertheless, this short won't win any awards, but was entertaining to the majority who saw it, and was talked about with smiling faces by the majority of the audience.

Fact is, most of the Universal shorts of the period were cheap and less-than-stellar. This was one way they could try out new starlets and allow their cameramen to learn the new 3D medium before starting features.

The 3D FILM EXPO is not a critical forum. Our finding the elements of this and getting the new prints made (and made RIGHT) and showing it to a LARGELY grateful audience is our continuing goal, and we are ecstatic at the positive response. The history and legacy of 3D has gained from this virtually unknown short as the 3D aspect is excellent in all respects.

Too bad people can't either keep overly negative or biased comments to themselves or just chill and enjoy the moment.

PS: the next day (11 SEPT) I asked the audience if they liked it and I got a huge round of applause. Likely to be shown again before the EXPO closes.