Richard Barthelmess (as Dan McGuire) is a Beachcomber, "a derelict thrown upon the shore by shifting waves and winds of many adventures"; gin is his only consolation. Clarine Seymour is Mary, with the "blood of vivacious France, inscrutable Java, and languorous Samoa mingle in her veins"; the South Sea natives call her "White Almond Flower". Arriving on the South Sea isle is its missionary's nephew Creighton Hale (as Walter Kincaid), "an invalid, whose greatest moral offense has been kissing his cousin in a dark hallway." Ms. Seymour's heathen dancing ignites passion and jealousy in Mr. Barthelmess and Mr. Hale.
"The Idol Dancer" is Seymour, but another dancer steals the show: Florence Short (as Pansy), she first appears about five minutes into the film. Described as "a savage flower who yields to missionary clothes, but wriggles free from all other conventions," the character is ludicrous. It's difficult to believe there was a time when this sort of portrayal was inoffensive! Short lusts after Peter, a native minister, and several others. Also eye-opening are two fight scenes between "white boy" Thomas Carr and "native boy" Ben Grauer. The latter boy doesn't wear pants, and worships the Devil (he's native, remember); this upsets young Carr, who wants the other kid to wear pants, and convert to Christianity. Later, (if you are still watching) the boys have a re-match. Carr wins the second fight, and forces pants on Grauer; though, he does put up a struggle! When Grauer tries to take his pants off, Carr threatens to punch him; then, he makes Grauer go to Church.
Otherwise, this D.W. Griffith directed film is notable for the scenic South Sea photography, by G.W. Bitzer. George MacQuarrie and Kate Bruce are noteworthy (as Rev. and Mrs. Franklyn Blythe). Herbert Sutch (as Old Thomas) is "a trader on the beach, very much perplexed by the strange, sweet, exotic maidenhood of his adopted daughter (Seymour)." Barthelmess and Hale perform well, despite it all. Sadly, Seymour unexpectedly died as this film was being released; she was a promising young actress.
*** The Idol Dancer (3/21/20) D.W. Griffith ~ Richard Barthelmess, Clarine Seymour, Creighton Hale
