South Pacific (1958)

Director:

Joshua Logan

Writers:

Paul Osborn (screenplay)
Richard Rodgers (adapted from the play "South Pacific") ...
(more)

Release Date:

14 April 1958 (Brazil)

Genre:

Musical | Romance | War

Tagline:

In the thrilling tradition of "Around The World In 80 Days"...

Plot:

On a South Pacific island during World War II, love blooms between a young nurse and a secretive Frenchman who's being courted for a dangerous military mission.

Plot Keywords:

Nurse | Hospital | Love | Pacific Island | U.S. Navy

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 9 nominations

Cast

Rossano Brazzi	...	Emile De Becque
Mitzi Gaynor	...	Ensign Nellie Forbush, USN
John Kerr	...	Lt. Joseph Cable, USMC
Ray Walston	...	Luther Billis
Juanita Hall	...	Bloody Mary
France Nuyen	...	Liat
Russ Brown	...	Capt. Brackett, USN
Jack Mullaney	...	The Professor
Ken Clark	...	Stewpot
Floyd Simmons	...	Commander Harbison, USN
Candace Lee	...	Ngana - Emile's Child
Warren Hsieh	...	Jerome - Emile's Child
Tom Laughlin	...	Lt. Buzz Adams
Giorgio Tozzi	...	Emile De Becque (singing voice)
Archie Savage	...	Chief - Boar's Tooth Ceremonial Dancer / Ceremonial Dance Chief
Francis Kahele	...	Henry - Emile's Servant
Robert Jacobs	...	1st Communications Man
John Gabriel	...	2nd Communications Man
Richard Harrison	...	Co-Pilot
Ron Ely	...	Navigator (as Ronald Ely)
Steve Wiland	...	Seabee Dancer
Richard H. Cutting	...	Admiral Kester (as Richard Cutting)
Joe Bailey	...	U.S. Commander
Buck Class	...	Fighter Pilot
Richard Kiser	...	Fighter Pilot
Robert Hover	...	Pilot in Hospital (as Linc Foster)
Doug McClure	...	Pilot in Hospital
Stephen Ferry	...	Pilot in Hospital
Joan Baker	...	Nurse at Nurses' Beach
Diane Reid	...	Nurse at Nurses' Beach
Phyllis Butcher	...	Nurse at Nurses' Beach
Dian Goodman	...	Nurse at Nurses' Beach
Diane DuBois	...	Nurse at Nurses' Beach
Anna James	...	Nurse at Nurses' Beach
Karen Gallant	...	Nurse at Nurses' Beach
Joyce Kramer	...	Nurse at Nurses' Beach
Barbara Cole	...	Nurse at Nurses' Beach
Mary Bishop	...	Nurse at Nurses' Beach
May Fewell	...	Nurse at Nurses' Beach
Beverly Johnson	...	Nurse at Nurses' Beach
Jane Lucas	...	Nurse at Nurses' Beach
Janet Hanrahan	...	Nurse at Nurses' Beach
Helen Partridge	...	Nurse at Nurses' Beach (as Helen Patridge)
Barbara Nesser	...	Nurse at Nurses' Beach
Marlene Lizzio	...	Nurse at Nurses' Beach
Muffett Webb	...	Nurse at Nurses' Beach
Mary Jo Flanders	...	Nurse at Nurses' Beach
Debbie Wilcox	...	Nurse at Nurses' Beach
Faye Antaky	...	Nurse in Thanksgiving Show
Donna Pouget	...	Nurse in Thanksgiving Show
Dorothy Abbott	...	Nurse in Thanksgiving Show
Pat Volasko	...	Nurse in Thanksgiving Show
Jan Haller	...	Nurse in Thanksgiving Show
Beverly Aadland	...	Nurse in Thanksgiving Show (as Beverly Adland)
Bonnie Lene	...	Nurse in Thanksgiving Show
Jonni Paris	...	Nurse in Thanksgiving Show (as Jonnie Paris)
Diane Myles	...	Nurse in Thanksgiving Show
Barbara Donaldson	...	Nurse in Thanksgiving Show
Ila McAvoy	...	Nurse in Thanksgiving Show
Joanna Marie Jones	...	Nurse in Thanksgiving Show (as Joanne Jones)
Larri Thomas	...	Nurse in Thanksgiving Show (as Lorri Thomas)
Darlene Engle	...	Nurse in Thanksgiving Show
Kay Tapscott	...	Nurse in Thanksgiving Show
Evelyn Ford	...	Nurse in Thanksgiving Show
Betty Bunch	...	Nurse in Thanksgiving Show
Susan Logan	...	Nurse in Thanksgiving Show (as Sue Logan)
Dan Wallace	...	Sailor / Seabee
Karl Heyer	...	Sailor / Seabee
James De Closs	...	Sailor / Seabee (as Jim DeCloss)
Mike Vincent	...	Sailor / Seabee
James Stacy	...	Sailor / Seabee (as Jim Stacy)
Donald Mundell	...	Sailor / Seabee
Alvin Arnold	...	Sailor / Seabee
Mark Pinkston	...	Sailor / Seabee
Gene Bergman	...	Sailor / Seabee (as Gene Bergmann)
Velton Parker	...	Sailor / Seabee
John Chasey	...	Sailor / Seabee
Lee Thomas	...	Sailor / Seabee
Carl Esser	...	Sailor / Seabee
Joseph Schlichter	...	Sailor / Seabee
Jim Ganley	...	Sailor / Seabee
Richard Smith	...	Sailor / Seabee
Murray Gaby	...	Sailor / Seabee
Robert Nielson	...	Sailor / Seabee
William Glisson	...	Sailor / Seabee
Hadley Gray	...	Sailor / Seabee
George Hooper	...	Sailor / Seabee
John Caler	...	Sailor / Seabee
Charles Joyner	...	Sailor / Seabee
Morris Harmell	...	Sailor / Seabee
Donald Lane	...	Sailor / Seabee
Donald Nobles	...	Sailor / Seabee
Tom Moore	...	Sailor / Seabee
Mike Salamunovich	...	Sailor / Seabee
Tom Logan	...	Sailor / Seabee
Durwood Bloomgren	...	Marine / Sailor in Thanksgiving Show
Charles Lunard	...	Marine / Sailor in Thanksgiving Show
Tex Brodus	...	Marine / Sailor in Thanksgiving Show
Joe Paz	...	Marine / Sailor in Thanksgiving Show
Bob Calder	...	Marine / Sailor in Thanksgiving Show
Eddie Searles	...	Marine / Sailor in Thanksgiving Show (as Ed Searles)
Roy Damron	...	Marine / Sailor in Thanksgiving Show
Clark Lee	...	Marine / Sailor in Thanksgiving Show
Galvan De Leon	...	Sub Chief - Boar's Tooth Ceremonial Dancer (as Galvan DeLeon)
Bob Destine	...	Whip Man - Boar's Tooth Ceremonial Dancer
Sidney Hurston	...	Birdman - Boar's Tooth Ceremonial Dancer
Leroy Hamilton	...	Birdman - Boar's Tooth Ceremonial Dancer
James Truitt	...	Ashman - Boar's Tooth Ceremonial Dancer
Clyde Webb	...	Ashman - Boar's Tooth Ceremonial Dancer
Stephen Papich	...	Ashman - Boar's Tooth Ceremonial Dancer (as Steve Pappich)
Victor Upshaw	...	Firetender - Boar's Tooth Ceremonial Dancer
Nat Bush	...	Firetender - Boar's Tooth Ceremonial Dancer
Garland Thompson	...	Firetender - Boar's Tooth Ceremonial Dancer
Ralph Weaver	...	Firetender - Boar's Tooth Ceremonial Dancer
James Field	...	Barua
William Washington	...	Barua
Marco López	...	Barua (as Marco Lopez)
Charles Carter	...	Barua
Alex Young	...	Barua
Ray Mendez	...	Barua
George Hall	...	Barua
Richard Domasin	...	Barua
James Malcolm	...	Barua
Maaka Nua	...	Barua
Johnny Morgan	...	Barua
Tonu Nua	...	Barua
Jack Williams	...	Barua
Selu Nua	...	Barua
Andrew Robinson	...	Barua
Niki Nua	...	Barua
Kirk Boone	...	Blue Boy
Walt Davis	...	Blue Boy (as Walter Davis)
Wesley Gale	...	Blue Boy
Don Marshall	...	Blue Boy
Clarence Landry	...	Blue Boy
David Walker	...	Blue Boy
Andrew Isaacs	...	Blue Boy
Harold Walker	...	Blue Boy
Walter Smith	...	Blue Boy
James Green	...	Drummer / Musician
Charles Mohr	...	Blue Boy
George Davis	...	Drummer / Musician
Santiago Mos	...	Drummer / Musician
Kenneth Walker	...	Drummer / Musician
Gregory Christmas	...	Drummer / Musician
Bill Ornelles	...	Drummer / Musician
Gary Christmas	...	Drummer / Musician
Freddie Baker	...	Drummer / Musician (as Freddy Baker)
Gene Fontaine	...	Drummer / Musician
Charles R. Rogers	...	Drummer / Musician
Don Martin	...	Drummer / Musician
Anita Louise Dano	...	Polynesian Woman (as Anita Dano)
Anne Darris	...	Polynesian Woman (as Ann Darris)
Yvonne De Lavallade	...	Polynesian Woman
Joan Fontaine	...	Polynesian Woman
Lenmana Guerin	...	Polynesian Woman (as Lemmana Guerin)
Paulette Easley	...	Polynesian Woman
Tela Mansfield	...	Polynesian Woman (as Telu Mansfield)
Claire Alcantara	...	Polynesian Woman
Vicki Orozco	...	Polynesian Woman
Missaye Meyer	...	Polynesian Woman (as Misaye Meyer)
Bobbi Coté	...	Polynesian Woman
Mimi Dillard	...	Polynesian Woman
Harriette Young	...	Polynesian Woman (as Harriet Young)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Monica Meyer	...	Girl running on beach
John Coldren	...	Marine in Attack Briefing (uncredited)
Hazel Daniels	...	Negro Woman (uncredited)
Peggy Dave	...	Negro Woman (uncredited)
Ed Fury	...	Sailor / Seabee (uncredited)
Marie Greene	...	Ngana (singing voice) (uncredited)
Kathryn Johnson	...	Negro Woman (uncredited)
Martinique Landois	...	Negro Woman (uncredited)
Bill Lee	...	Lieutenant Joseph Cable, USMC (singing voice) (uncredited)
Jeanna Limyou	...	Negro Woman (uncredited)
Harrigan Logan	...	French Schoolgirl (uncredited)
Dorothy Michener	...	Missionary (uncredited)
James Michener	...	Missionary (uncredited)
Thelma Oliver	...	Negro Woman (uncredited)
Jean Pace	...	Negro Woman (uncredited)
Thurl Ravenscroft	...	Stewpot (singing voice) (uncredited)
Frieda Rentie	...	Negro Woman (uncredited)
Hazel Rogers	...	Negro Woman (uncredited)
Muriel Smith	...	Bloody Mary (singing voice) (uncredited)
Frank D. Strong	...	Sailor (uncredited)
Jeannie Thompson	...	Negro Woman (uncredited)
Ercelle Tisby	...	Negro Woman (uncredited)
Cesar Ugarte	...	Sailor (uncredited)
Boots Wade	...	Negro Woman (uncredited)

Directed by
Joshua Logan

Writing credits
Paul Osborn		(screenplay)
Richard Rodgers		(adapted from the play "South Pacific") &
Oscar Hammerstein II		(adapted from the play "South Pacific") and
Joshua Logan		(adapted from the play "South Pacific")
James Michener		(based on "Tales of the South Pacific" by) (as James A. Michener)

Produced by
Buddy Adler	....	producer
George P. Skouras	....	executive producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Alfred Newman		(uncredited)

Cinematography by
Leon Shamroy		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Robert L. Simpson		(film editor) (as Robert Simpson)

Art Direction by
John DeCuir		(as John De Cuir)
Lyle R. Wheeler

Set Decoration by
Paul S. Fox		(set decorations)
Walter M. Scott

Costume Design by
Dorothy Jeakins		(costumes designed by)

Makeup Department
Ben Nye	....	makeup
Helen Turpin	....	hair stylist
William Buell	....	makeup artist (uncredited)
Bunny Gardel	....	body makeup artist (uncredited)
Buddy King	....	hair dresser (uncredited)
Allan Snyder	....	makeup artist (uncredited)
Marie Walter	....	hair dresser (uncredited)

Production Management
Eric Stacey	....	production manager (uncredited)
Eric Stacey	....	unit manager (uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Ben Kadish	....	assistant director
Morris Harmell	....	second assistant director (uncredited)
Ray Kellogg	....	second unit director (uncredited)
Mike Salamunovich	....	second assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department
James Cane	....	draperies (uncredited)
Walter De Hart	....	prop maker (uncredited)
George Dudley	....	set specifications (uncredited)
Ed Graves	....	continuity artist (uncredited)
Sidney H. Greenwood	....	lead man (uncredited)
Dale Hennesy	....	illustrator (uncredited)
Harvey Jackson	....	painter (uncredited)
Ed Jones	....	property master (uncredited)
Joe Krutak	....	painter (uncredited)
Walter Ledgerwood	....	construction coordinator (uncredited)
Charles Long	....	draperies (uncredited)
John Lowess	....	painter (uncredited)
Bob McLaughlin	....	props (uncredited)
Donald L. Nobles	....	prop maker (uncredited)
Paul Skelton	....	prop maker (uncredited)
Wayne Smothers	....	props (uncredited)
James Stephens	....	plasterer (uncredited)
Robert Thompson	....	plasterer (uncredited)
Loren Woods	....	construction foreman (uncredited)

Sound Department
Fred Hynes	....	sound recording supervisor
Joseph I. Kane	....	sound recordist (as Joseph Kane)
Orrick Barrett	....	boom man (uncredited)
Harry Bavaird	....	playback operator (uncredited)
John W. Rixey	....	sound assistant (uncredited)
Donald C. Rogers	....	boom operator (uncredited)
Jack R. Woltz	....	cable man (uncredited)
Newt Woltz	....	sound system consultant (uncredited)

Special Effects by
L.B. Abbott	....	special photographic effects
Bill Middlemas	....	special effects: second unit (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Emil Kosa Jr.	....	matte artist (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Alfred Baalas	....	second assistant camera (uncredited)
Al Baerthlin	....	second assistant camera (uncredited)
Delmer Blair	....	dolly grip (uncredited)
Jack Brown	....	rigging gaffer (uncredited)
Richard Cameron	....	rigging grip (uncredited)
Stanley Cortez	....	director of photography: second unit (uncredited)
Hugh Crawford	....	first assistant camera: second unit (uncredited)
Lee Crawford	....	first assistant camera (uncredited)
William Cronjager	....	second assistant camera (uncredited)
Leo Davis	....	set lighting technician (uncredited)
Eric Ericson	....	grip (uncredited)
Sam Fisher	....	electrician (uncredited)
Walter Fitchman	....	key rigging grip (uncredited)
Arthur Gerstle	....	second assistant camera (uncredited)
Frank Gilley	....	grip (uncredited)
Fred Hall	....	gaffer (uncredited)
Bob Henderson	....	best boy (uncredited)
Ted Husserl	....	electrician (uncredited)
Grover Jones	....	electrician (uncredited)
William K. Jurgensen	....	second assistant camera (uncredited)
Bert Kershner	....	second assistant camera: second unit (uncredited)
Fred Kuhnau	....	electrician (uncredited)
Grover Laube	....	camera mechanic assistant: second unit (uncredited)
Al Lebowitz	....	camera operator: second unit (uncredited)
Paul Lockwood	....	camera operator (uncredited)
Gaston Longet	....	still photographer (uncredited)
W.A. Machado	....	grip (uncredited)
Frank McCardle	....	best boy grip (uncredited)
Leo McCreary	....	key grip (uncredited)
James Mitchell	....	still photographer (uncredited)
John Murray	....	grip (uncredited)
Al Parker	....	rigging lamp operator (uncredited)
John Pazzelli	....	key grip: second unit (uncredited)
Frank Powolny	....	still photographer (uncredited)
Fred Richter	....	rigging best boy grip (uncredited)
Charles Rosebrook	....	electrician (uncredited)
Irving Rosenberg	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
Bill Schneider	....	camera mechanic (uncredited)
Bob Smith	....	generator operator (uncredited)
Clyde Taylor	....	rigging best boy electric (uncredited)
Hank Vadare	....	generator operator (uncredited)
Kenneth T. Williams	....	camera operator: second unit (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Reeder P. Boss	....	wardrobe manager (uncredited)
Norma Brown	....	wardrobe manager (uncredited)
Dale Henderson	....	wardrobe assistant (uncredited)
Mickey Sherrard	....	wardrobe assistant (uncredited)

Music Department
George Adams	....	music editor
Robert Russell Bennett	....	orchestrator
Ken Darby	....	associate conductor
Ken Darby	....	associate music supervisor
Pete King	....	orchestrator
Robert Mayer	....	music editor
Bernard Mayers	....	orchestrator
Alfred Newman	....	conductor
Alfred Newman	....	music supervisor
Edward B. Powell	....	orchestrator
Murray Spivack	....	music recordist
John Williams	....	musician: piano (uncredited)

Other crew
Leonard Doss	....	technicolor color consultant
Oscar Hammerstein II	....	originally produced on the stage by
Oscar Hammerstein II	....	presenter (as Rodgers and Hammerstein)
Leland Hayward	....	originally produced on the stage by
Joshua Logan	....	originally produced on the stage by
LeRoy Prinz	....	choreographed by: Boar's Tooth Ceremonial Number
William Reynolds	....	production associate
Richard Rodgers	....	originally produced on the stage by
Richard Rodgers	....	presenter (as Rodgers and Hammerstein)
Schuyler A. Sanford	....	Todd-AO consultant
Lee Crawford	....	publicist (uncredited)
Joseph Curtis	....	dialogue coach (uncredited)
Charles E. Dolan	....	craft service (uncredited)
Joe Fisher	....	landscaper (uncredited)
Katherine Lambert	....	production researcher (uncredited)
Fred Lutz	....	landscaper (uncredited)
George Novak	....	landscaper (uncredited)
Peter Rea	....	landscaper (uncredited)
Frances C. Richardson	....	production researcher (uncredited)
W.E. Starbuck	....	technical advisor (uncredited)
J.N. Williams Jr.	....	technical advisor (uncredited)
Sonia Wolfson	....	publicist (uncredited)
Marshall J. Wolins	....	script supervisor (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Magna Theatre Corporation
• South Pacific Enterprises (as A South Pacific Enterprises, Inc. Production)
• Rodgers & Hammerstein Productions (uncredited)
• Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation (uncredited)

Distributors

• Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation (1958) (USA) (theatrical) (35mm general release)
• Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation (1964) (USA) (theatrical) (re-release)
• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1971) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
• Samuel Goldwyn Company, The (1983) (USA) (TV) (pan/scan)
• CBS/Fox (198?) (USA) (VHS)
• CBS/Fox (1994) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Magna Theatre Corporation (1958) (USA) (theatrical) (70mm roadshow release)
• CBS Video (1982) (USA) (video) (CED VideoDisc)
• Samuel Goldwyn Company, The (199?) (USA) (TV)
• Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2008) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2006) (USA) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Department of Defense, The  the producers thank for their assistance in bringing this motion picture to the screen (as the Department of Defense)
• United States Navy, The  the producers thank for their assistance in bringing this motion picture to the screen (as the Navy Department)
• Fleet Marine Force, Pacific  the producers thank for their assistance in bringing this motion picture to the screen (as the Fleet Marine Force Pacific)
• American Optical Company  Todd-AO developed by (as the American Optical Company)
• Creative Sound Studios  adr - commentary (2006)
• Creative Sound Studios  adr - director's cut (2006)
• Crest Digital  restoration work
• United States Pacific Fleet  the producers thank for their assistance in bringing this motion picture to the screen (as the United States Pacific Fleet)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

157 min | 171 min (roadshow version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (35 mm mag-optical prints) | Mono (35 mm optical prints) | 70 mm 6-Track (Westrex Recording System) (70 mm prints)

Certification:

Canada:G | Finland:K-8 | Sweden:Btl | UK:U | Australia:G | Iceland:L | New Zealand:G | USA:Approved (certificate #18688) | UK:U (video rating) (1988) (1992) (2002) (2006) | Singapore:PG | USA:Unrated

Filming Locations:

Kaua'i, Hawaii, USA

Company:

Magna Theatre Corporation

Trivia:

Fernando Lamas was considered for the role of Emile, but he could not get out of his contract to the Broadway show "Happy Hunting."

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: During "A Wonderful Guy," there's a part when Mitzi Gaynor's lips aren't synchronized with the music whatsoever.

Quotes:

Emile de Becque:When all you care about is here, this is a good place to be.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Ultimate Film (2004) (TV)

Soundtrack:

A Wonderful Guy

Josh Logan's colour-filter paradise

This slush-fest version of Rodgers and Hammerstein's famous musical suffers on the small screen because of its constant use of colour filters during the songs. On a big screen, this looks great, but just looks odd on TV.

This aside, though, this film of 'South Pacific' has much to enjoy. Mitzi Gaynor is a bubbly personality and is clearly enjoying herself as Nellie Forbush, 'washing that man out of her hair' and so on. Rossano Brazzi is charming as Emile (the singing is expertly done by Giorgio Tozzi); we can have a pang of regret that Ezio Pinza was seen to be too old to play the role by the time the film appeared - his work with Mary Martin in the original cast survives in cast recordings - but Brazzi looks the part.

John Kerr is a bit of a wet fish as Lt. Cable, while Juanita Hall as Bloody Mary is excellent, and Ray Walston as Luther, and France Nuyen as Liat, make an impression in smaller roles. The musical numbers are done extremely well - 'Bali Ha'i', 'I'm in Love With a Wonderful Guy', 'Some Enchanted Evening', 'Younger Than Springtime', and 'Happy Talk' and the rest.

Where the film does flag is in the sequences where Emile and Cable go to the island to report on the Japanese invaders. This was handled rather better in the 1990s remake, and also moves along better in the stage version. Here, it clashes a bit with the romantic overtones of the rest of the production.