South Pacific (1958)

This Movie Can Only Be Described With One Word.

Strictly average movie

recommended

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

Old Hollywood musical that mildly tackles racism. No-one seems to be in control so the message is mostly lost. Too stagey- just look at the last scene! Highlights are the musical numbers and the setting. Otherwise, forgettable. Not one character really gains our sympathy. Bloody Mary's match-making of her pubescent daughter is hard to accept. Emile has killed a man for obscure reasons. Cable and Nellie's redemption from their racist attitudes is hardly convincing. And wouldn't it have made more sense for Emile to sing "You've Got To Be Carefully Taught"? He is the person who has been most affected by racism. Cable's change of heart happened without any exposition at all. I realise it's a musical! I watched the Roadshow version (14 mins extra with intermission also)

This film almost works until it introduces the sub-plot which is so blatantly racist I simply walked out. When I researched the film and learned its debut on Broadway was in 1949, I could understand how the producers could get away with a storyline as embarrassing and silly as this one is. Ten years later on the big screen the story did not improve a bit and in fact seemed even worse than it should have been. Perhaps I am being too politically correct but there are boundaries you know and you simply do not insult an entire culture by giving the impression their pretty daughters are for sale. Geez! There are some great things about the film - the color for one, Mitzi Gaynor for another and Ray Walston who practically walks away with it - but the sub-plot which is introduced somewhat late in the film is so awful that I just cannot recommend this film to anyone.

Rodgers and Hammersetein created a masterpiece on Broadway in South Pacific. After WW2 these two cerebral men got into the hearts and minds of the returning veterans of the Pacific War and created magic. Mary Martin immortalized the role of Nellie on Broadway but Ms. Martin a super star on Broadway never made the transition to films, a point that even mystified the Queen of Hollywood Bette Davis.Josh Logan who brilliantly directed the film versions of Picnic at Columbia with Kim Novak and Bill Holden and in the process created one of the more erotic moments on film in the dance sequence between Holden and Novak and Bus Stop at 20th with a celebrated performance by Marilym Monroe that should have resulted in an Oscar nomination for MM, was assigned the job of bringing South Pacific to the screen.Beautiful movie, literally with great scenery of the South Pacific and a wonderful performance by Mitzi Gaynor who like Ms. Martin never made it as a great movie star, a point that baffles this reviewer. Mitzi had it all: Sexy great looks and could sing, dance and act but the mysterious factor of what makes a star is never truly understood. Susan Hayward a box office powerhouse and a star at 20th wanted to play Nellie but refused to test for the role. Susan Hayward would have brought her intense and unforgettable presence to this movie. Doris Day was also mentioned for the role.I never like to see great films of the past remade but South Pacific should be remade. In the meantime, enjoy this film for the Songs alone. Some Enchanted Evening

Some enchanted evening, you will meet a stranger. True to form, during World War II, perky blonde nurse Mitzi Gaynor (as Nellie Forbush) and handsome navy Lt. John Kerr (as Joseph "Joe" Cable) find their strangers on a lush "South Pacific" island. She meets middle-aged French planter Rossano Brazzi (as Emile De Becque). And, he finds nubile native girl France Nuyen (as Liat), with help from weighty mother Juanita Hall (as "Bloody Mary"). Unfortunately, racial prejudices and other factors threaten to railroad both romances. Above all, there is a war going on. Comic reliever Ray Walston (as Luther Billis) dons a makeshift bra for his grass-skirt number.Rodgers and Hammerstein's soundtrack music remains excellent for this adaptation of their great stage hit. However, the story involving the "mixing" of American and Asian, considered daring and/or forward-thinking at the time, looks more plainly like an old-fashioned sex date; other versions of what you see here have played the match-up better. "South Pacific" is also lengthened past its endurance level. Even greater deterrents are the often eye-bleeding color enhancements and other peculiar choices, especially Mr. Brazzi as the male lead. It's an incredible tribute to the soundtrack that sustains this version of "South Pacific" through its flaws.****** South Pacific (3/19/58) Joshua Logan ~ Mitzi Gaynor, Rossano Brazzi, John Kerr, Ray Walston