White Shadows in the South Seas (1928)

An alcoholic doctor on a Polynesian island, disgusted by white exploitation of the natives, finds himself marooned on a pristinely beautiful island.

Directors:

W.S. Van Dyke, Robert J. Flaherty (uncredited)

Writers:

Frederick O'Brien (famous novel), Ray Doyle (compiled by)

Stars:

Monte Blue, Raquel Torres, Robert Anderson

Won 1 Oscar.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Monte Blue	...	Dr. Matthew Lloyd
Raquel Torres	...	Fayaway

Storyline

Matthew Lloyd has drifted away from a respectable career as a physician, and lives a mediocre existence in a Polynesian island. There, pearl-trader Sebastian and his associates recklessly exploit the natives working for them as divers. After witnessing the appalling consequences of "civilization" on the local population, Matthew vehemently condemns Sebastian's greed and ruthlessness. Sebastian, however, will not shy away from any means to crush opposition to his activities.

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Plot Keywords:

native | greed | doctor | death | shipwreck | 

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Taglines:

Beneath blue Southern skies of the South Seas, the pearl ring operates. It knows no law! It tears loved ones from each other! It sends men to their doom on the ocean bottom! (Print Ad-The Frontier, ((O'Neill, Neb.)) 30 May 1929)

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was the first sound film exhibited in Lisbon, Portugal, at Royal Cine, Lisbon's largest cinema, at a special session attended by the President of the Republic, Óscar Fragoso Carmona and a select audience of VIP politicians and artists from various sectors. The session was preceded by a newsreel from MGM, a documentary about the Lisbon dockyards and various American and French song numbers.

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Goofs

The drowned young man's left arm moves by itself.

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Quotes

Title Card: The Dancer of Ceremonious Welcome... official Starter of Feasts. His name was Kekelafaufaupaopao - - "Man with Legs Like Exploding Eggs".

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Connections

Featured in Settling the Score (2005)

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Soundtracks

Flower of Love
(1928) (uncredited)
Music by William Axt and David Mendoza
Lyrics by Dave Dreyer and Herman Ruby

User Reviews

Thoughtful Silence

Spreading from island to island, the WHITE SHADOWS IN THE SOUTH SEAS corrupt every culture they encounter.

This unfortunately obscure film, produced by MGM right at the cusp when the Silent Era was giving way to Sound, is a fascinating look at the vanishing way of life to be found in the South Pacific Islands. Its beautiful, vivid photography justly won the Oscar for Best Cinematography.

This 'Camera Record' was directed by W.S. Van Dyke, the Studio's on-location master. The film's prologue states "Produced and photographed on the natural locations and with the ancient native tribes of the Marquesas Islands in the South Seas." The footage depicting the pearl divers and the coconut tree climbers is particularly noteworthy.

Monte Blue gives a very fine performance as a derelict doctor who finds himself acclaimed as a white god on an island of gentle, friendly natives. His despair at the arrival of brutish Caucasian traders in this idyllic paradise is riveting. Mexican actress Raquel Torres, in her film debut, is poignant as the island maiden who captures Blue's heart.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 November 1928 (USA)

Also Known As:

Robert Flaherty's Southern Skies

Filming Locations:

Franklin Canyon Reservoir, Santa Monica Mountains, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$365,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Cosmopolitan Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System) (talking sequences, music and sound effects) Silent

Color:

Black and White (tinted)

Aspect Ratio:

1.20 : 1