In this musical comedy, native Hawaiians on the island of Ami-Oni have accepted Dennis O Brien (Thomas Mitchell) and his beautiful daughter, Eileen (Betty Grable), as one of their own. When Eileen returns to the island after being away at school, a grand luau is planned, and surprise guest Jeffrey Harper (Victor Mature) arrives by boat. The handsome Harper, son of a local cattle baron, immediately falls hard for the luscious Eileen. The match seems a sure thing until Jeff and Eileen get caught up in their family s quarrels--the elder Harper thinks the O Briens are gold diggers while Mr. O Brien is steadfast in his refusal to sell his land to the Harpers, who he believes have no consideration for the natives. Grable, especially when showing off her world-famous gams in a grass skirt during an extended song-and-dance routine, provides the most enjoyment in this pleasurable Technicolor voyage. Among the songs included are Down on Ami, Ami, Oni, Oni Isle, O Brien has gone Hawaiian, Sing me a Song of the Islands, Maluna, Malolo, Mawaena, Hawaiian War Chant, Hu l Mai, and Home on the Range.
|