Ave del paraíso

After studying in the US, the son of a Polynesian Chief (with white in his blood) returns home to the superstition-laden islands along with a vacationing Frenchman he met at the University; despite dire warnings from the soothsaying Kahuna, the white stranger--who represents a portent of turbulence to come--falls in love with his friend's blue-eyed sister and decides he wants to stay. Corny, daft, but enjoyable tropical star-crossed lovers tale--a loose remake of King Vidor's same-titled film from 1932 via Richard Walton Tully's play--has been adapted and directed by Delmer Daves, who gives the splendor of native life a frisky, romantic allure. What might have become a heavy mix of soap and masochism is brought off well by the filmmaker, who mounts the proceedings with grand, melodramatic style (even if the angry volcano at the end looks tacked on). Jeff Chandler and Debra Paget (playing brother and sister, fittingly, since they both share a dimpled chin) and Louis Jourdan approach the material with dreamy seriousness, avoiding camp and actually creating two-dimensional characters. Some may argue the production lacks a high-level of gloss or strong special effects, though I believe Daves was focused far more on the customs and beliefs of these people--and also on the love story--rather than on the technical aspects. As such, it's a more emotional picture than its predecessor, and certainly the music by Daniele Amfitheatrof and Ken Darby is a wonderful asset. **1/2 from ****

Bird of Paradise is a very unusual picture, a subconscious blend of two emerging cultural patterns in 1950s America: 'exotica' and film noir. This is no Paradise Hawaiian Style. Beautiful location photography and a thoughtful screenplay by director-producer Delmer Daves make this one to catch on the late late show (or on Fox Movies!).

Bird of Paradise is a movie that stays in your mind after you see it for its fascinating story,natural sceneries and acting.Debra Paget is so sweet and sweet and sweet in her performance of "Kalua".Just remember the final scene when her lover (Louis Jourdan) is leaving the island after the volcano eruption, and he is thinking and remembering her,and the spectator can see that beautiful sweet smile of Kalua.Jourdan's acting was very good also as the lover. I dont know if the negative of this film has been lost or what.But is a good question why the studios has not released this film already on video.The only one available is the one of the 30's. I think we should have available on VHS and DVD this wonderful 1951 version. An amazing love story.

I will never forget when I saw "Bird of paradise" and I have never forgotten the name Debra Paget. I was 16 years old, it was in 1952 and the movie was shown at the local cinema, a tiny place hiding under the pine trees in the village in mid-Sweden where I grew up. It was a winter evening and I was deeply moved when walking home alone through the snow. Never shall I forget that TERRIBLE moment when Kalua jumped over the edge of the volcano! Oh, no!!! She was so beautiful and I loved her so much. Of course the volcano's eruption immediately stopped when this wonderful woman sacrificed herself for her people. The story represented something frightening and unknown to me, still remembering it after all these years. I tried to understand how parents could think in the way they did, slowly realizing that that there were different ways to look at life out there. Movie at it's best!

The movie was actually filmed in a remote spot on a private estate (my family's) on the Island of Hawaii. For verification note that the Chiefess is Violet Nathanial. She was a life long member of Haili Church in Hilo which is near where the film was made. Her daughter, well into her 80's and remembering few things always remembered the only line her mother had in the film: AHHHH.

Other members of the cast - local extras - were also from Haili Church and generally from the Brown family (Violet Nathanial was a Brown before she married)

The filming location is on a large estate outside of Hilo that remains, more than 50 years later, with the same family and has since been used for one of Hawaii 50 episodes.