South Pacific (1958)

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.

Director:

Joshua Logan

Writers:

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

Stars:

Rossano Brazzi, Mitzi Gaynor, John Kerr

Won 1 Oscar. Another 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Can a girl from Little Rock find happiness with a mature French planter she got to know one enchanted evening away from the military hospital where she is a nurse? Or should she just wash that man out of her hair? Bloody Mary is the philosopher of the island and it's hard to believe she could be the mother of Liat who has captured the heart of Lt. Joseph Cable USMC. While waiting for action in the war in the South Pacific, sailors and nurses put on a musical comedy show. The war gets closer and the saga of Nellie Forbush and Emile de Becque becomes serious drama.

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Plot Keywords:

u.s. navy | singing | based on stage musical | tony award source | polynesia | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Musical | Romance | War

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Certificate:

G

Did You Know?

Trivia

Partially restores the song "Loneliness of Evening", which had been deleted from the stage version before opening in New York. The lyrics turn up in the form of a poem sent by Emile de Becque to Nellie Forbush (the full song was used in the 2001 television version of South Pacific (2001), produced by ABC). The song was also used in the second TV production of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II's Cinderella (1965), sung by Stuart Damon as the Prince.

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Goofs

Liat does not understand English. But when her mother sings "Happy Talk," in English, she shows by her gestures that she understands what her mother is singing.

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Quotes

Nellie: What a pinhead I was!

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Crazy Credits

There are probably more dubbed singing voices in this film than in any other screen version of a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, but the only one which actually receives screen credit is that of Giorgio Tozzi, who dubs the singing voice of Emile de Becque (Rosanno Brazzi). This is because Tozzi was a renowned bass-baritone with the Metropolitan Opera.

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Alternate Versions

In the book published in 1958 'The Tale of South Pacific' it shows the full cut of the film which shows the children singing 'Dites Moi' are per the soundtrack album the full version of I'm gonna Wash That Man' as per the soundtrack album. Cable speaking with DeBeque wearing bomber jacket while sneaking out of the hospital before he is spotted by Nellie and before Emile leave flowers for Nellie while singing 'Honey Bun' Loneliness of Evening was filmed as a complete song , not just the words of the notes that Nellie is reading. all this was deleted before the film before the Roadshow print was assembled to be shown in the Roadshow showings of the film.

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Connections

Referenced in Matthew Blackheart: Monster Smasher (2002)

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Soundtracks

A Wonderful Guy
(1949) (uncredited)
Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Music by Richard Rodgers
Performed by Mitzi Gaynor and Women's Chorus

User Reviews

An enchanting musical

This movie doesn't disappoint if the watcher loves great songs. Although the film has flaws--the insipid use of filters to muddy the luscious scenery (what were they thinking?!); careless dubbing--the whole of the film is memorable and a tribute to the times in which it was made. After viewing it, if you don't walk around the house humming and singing some of these tunes, then you probably don't like musicals to begin with. My favorites are "Some Enchanted Evening", "Bali Ha'i" "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair" and "Younger Than Springtime" With an underlying theme of racism, it was a progressive movie for its era and the thoughtful song "Carefully Taught" is memorable for its tune, lyrics and relevance.

A musical that is romantic, makes you think and has a social theme--its hard to ask for more, unless its to wish those filters never were used.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

14 April 1958 (Brazil)

Also Known As:

South Pacific

Filming Locations:

Moorea, French Polynesia

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$258,350, 26 August 2018

Gross USA:

$458,000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$458,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rodgers & Hammerstein Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

157 min 171 min (roadshow)

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)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1