South Pacific
BB.5
(out of 5)
About as lively as a slug and as enjoyable as the migraine headache you get from watching it for too long. Much of the film’s weakness lies in casting the less-than-stellar Mitzi Gaynor and Rossano Brazzi as two star-crossed lovers on a South Pacific island during World War II who are being torn apart by her inability to accept his having been previously married to a Polynesian woman. Seems stupid now, but for its time it was a pretty progressive statement against racism, though Rodgers and Hammerstein did much better two years earlier with The King And I (and they tackled sexism in that one too). However, Gaynor and Brazzi can’t carry a film to save their lives, and the sideline romance with John Kerr and France Nuyen is so brainless it inspires not a moment of empathy. Great photography and musical numbers are a plus, but the use of colour filters is overdone and the running time stays well beyond its welcome. The great Broadway duo’s beautiful musical score remains intact, with one song (‘My Girl Back Home’) which was originally cut from the stage version restored here. Watch it for the half-naked hunky sailors. (I always do).
Magna Theatre Corporation, South Pacific Enterprises
USA, 1958
Directed by Joshua Logan
Screenplay by Paul Osborn, based on the play by Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, from the book Tales of the South Pacific by James A. Michener
Cinematography by Leon Shamroy
Produced by Buddy Adler, Richard Rodgers
Music by Alfred Newman
Production Design by John DeCuir, Lyle R. Wheeler
Costume Design by Dorothy Jeakins
Film Editing by Robert L. Simpson
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This entry was posted on August 25, 2013 by Bil Antoniou in 111toformat, 1958, BB.5, Joshua Logan and tagged Academy Award 1958, Alex Young, Alfred Newman, Alvin Arnold, Andrew Isaacs, Andrew Robinson, Anita Louise Dano, Anna James, Anne Darris, Archie Savage, Barbara Cole, Barbara Donaldson, Barbara Nesser, Betty Bunch, Beverly Aadland, Beverly Johnson, Bill Ornelles, Bob Calder, Bob Destine, Bobbi Coté, Bonnie Lene, Buck Class, Buddy Adler, Candace Lee, Carl Esser, Charles Carter, Charles Joyner, Charles Lunard, Charles Mohr, Charles R. Rogers, Claire Alcantara, Clarence Landry, Clark Lee, Clyde Webb, Dan Wallace, Darlene Engle, David Walker, Debbie Wilcox, Dian Goodman, Diane DuBois, Diane Myles, Diane Reid, Don Marshall, Don Martin, Donald Lane, Donald Mundell, Donald Nobles, Donna Pouget, Dorothy Abbott, Dorothy Jeakins, Doug McClure, Durwood Bloomgren, Eddie Searles, Evelyn Ford, Faye Antaky, Floyd Simmons, France Nuyen, Francis Kahele, Freddie Baker, Galvan De Leon, Garland Thompson, Gary Christmas, Gene Bergman, Gene Fontaine, George Davis, George Hall, George Hooper, Giorgio Tozzi, Golden Globe 1958, Gregory Christmas, Hadley Gray, Harold Walker, Harriette Young, Helen Partridge, Ila McAvoy, Jack Mullaney, Jack Williams, James A. Michener, James De Closs, James Field, James Green, James Malcolm, James Stacy, James Truitt, Jan Haller, Jane Lucas, Janet Hanrahan, Jim Ganley, Joan Baker, Joan Fontaine, Joanna Marie Jones, Joe Bailey, Joe Paz, John Caler, John Chasey, John DeCuir, John Gabriel, John Kerr, Johnny Morgan, Jonni Paris, Joseph Schlichter, Joshua Logan, Joyce Kramer, Juanita Hall, Karen Gallant, Karl Heyer, Kay Tapscott, Ken Clark, Kenneth Walker, Kirk Boone, Larri Thomas, Lee Thomas, Lenmana Guerin, Leon Shamroy, Leroy Hamilton, Lyle R. Wheeler, Maaka Nua, Magna Theatre Corporation, Marco López, Mark Pinkston, Marlene Lizzio, Mary Bishop, Mary Jo Flanders, May Fewell, Mike Salamunovich, Mike Vincent, Mimi Dillard, Missaye Meyer, Mitzi Gaynor, Morris Harmell, Muffett Webb, Murray Gaby, Nat Bush, Niki Nua, Oscar Hammerstein II, Pat Volasko, Paul Osborn, Paulette Easley, Phyllis Butcher, Ralph Weaver, Ray Mendez, Ray Walston, Richard Domasin, Richard H. Cutting, Richard Harrison, Richard Kiser, Richard Rodgers, Richard Smith, Robert Hover, Robert Jacobs, Robert L. Simpson, Robert Nelson, Ron Ely, Rossano Brazzi, Roy Damron, Russ Brown, Santiago Mos, Selu Nua, Sidney Hurston, South Pacific Enterprises, Stephen Ferry, Stephen Papich, Steve Wiland, Susan Logan, Tela Mansfield, Tex Brodus, Tom Laughlin, Tom Logan, Tom Moore, Tonu Nua, Velton Parker, Vicki Orozco, Victor Upshaw, Walt Davis, Walter Smith, Warren Hsieh, Wesley Gale, William Glisson, William Washington, Yvonne De Lavallade.Shortlink
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