Its kind of hard to know what to say about this movie, but I hope my score reflects its quality while my review reflects how much I like this as historical cinema. King Vidor directs this crazy and yet predictable tale of star-crossed love...
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Its kind of hard to know what to say about this movie, but I hope my score reflects its quality while my review reflects how much I like this as historical cinema. King Vidor directs this crazy and yet predictable tale of star-crossed love between a native pacific islander (Delores Del Rio) and a white man ( Joel McCrea). The film is packed with various states of near total undress for Del Rio (this is a definite pre-Code movie), elaborate but inauthentic native dance numbers, and a menacing volcano that stands as the method to end the madness. Yes, the movie represents island cultures in a broad and nearly racist manner, but what probably motivated Depression-era audiences was the tragedy of it all, as Del Rio must sacrifice herself to the steaming maw of the volcano.

In typical allegory, its assumed that McCrea is more the "man" for his experience of doomed love lost. The ending is quite sad, and features a rather unique scene where Del Rio sucks the juice of a fruit and transfers it to her love's mouth.

It's total schock, but interesting as a period piece and I always watch it with interest when I see it run.