Bird of Paradise Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A rich guy falls for an island princess who’s destined to be volcano food, proving that tropical paradise has some surprisingly fiery fine print.

🍿 Bird of Paradise: Detailed Plot Synopsis

An Island Encounter and Budding Romance

The story begins as wealthy young playboy Johnny Baker, traveling the South Seas on his yacht, finds himself in peril when he falls overboard and is threatened by a shark. He is rescued by Luana, a beautiful Polynesian native girl, who courageously cuts the rope entangling him. Johnny is immediately captivated by Luana, and an unconventional romance begins to blossom between them. Despite their language barrier and the cultural differences, Johnny decides to stay on the island when his friends continue their voyage, planning to pick him up later. He quickly learns that Luana is the chief’s daughter, making her ‘taboo’ and destined to marry a prince from another island.

Life in Paradise and Forbidden Love

Defying tribal customs, Johnny abducts Luana from her wedding ceremony, taking her to the secluded ‘Paradise’ island of Lani. There, they live an idyllic life together, resembling ‘birds of paradise’ in the lush jungle setting. Johnny builds them a shelter, and Luana, in turn, helps him adapt to island life, including spearfishing. Their bond deepens as Luana learns basic English, bridging their communication gap.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Luana (Dolores Del Río): A beautiful Polynesian chieftain’s daughter who falls in love with a foreign sailor despite being destined for sacrifice to the volcano god.
• Johnny Baker (Joel McCrea): An adventurous young American sailor who defies local customs to pursue a forbidden romance with a native island princess.
• The King (Napoleon Pukui): Luana’s father and the chieftain of the island, who upholds the sacred traditions and the custom of sacrificing a maiden to the volcano.
• Medicine Man (Agostino Borgato): The spiritual elder who interprets the will of the volcano god and enforces the ancient tradition of human sacrifice.
• Mac (John Halliday): A worldly-wise and supportive friend of Johnny Baker, who initially accompanies him on his South Seas adventure.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Chester: “What do they call this place? / Heaven forbid.” – Chester responds sarcastically to Johnny Baker’s joke about the Polynesian island being one of the ‘Virgin Islands’.
• Crew Member: “East is east, and west is west, and never the twain shall meet.” – Muttered by a crew member at the film’s tragic conclusion, emphasizing the insurmountable cultural divide between Luana and Johnny.
• Johnny Baker: “There’s only one god.” – Johnny says this to Luana when he is wounded and trying to dissuade her from sacrificing herself to the volcano god, Pele.
• Unspecified: “You certainly make civilization look silly.” – A shipmate observes Johnny Baker’s complete embrace of island life and his romance with Luana.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $752,000 (estimated)
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $502,000 (estimated)

💥 Bird of Paradise Reviews

Personal Review

Oh my gosh, watching *Bird of Paradise* was such a trip! I went into it expecting just a simple old movie, but I was completely swept away. Dolores Del Rio is just breathtaking; every time she was on screen, I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Her performance as Luana was so natural and heartfelt, especially considering the language barrier scenes, which I found incredibly touching and realistic for its time. The cinematography is gorgeous, truly transporting you to that lush island, and the underwater swimming scene? Absolutely iconic for a pre-Code film! The ending hit me harder than I expected, leaving me with that classic tragic romance feeling. It’s a beautiful, passionate film that really made me feel something, a total gem.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic pre-Code Hollywood films”
  • “Viewers interested in cinematic history and censorship”
  • “Romance drama enthusiasts”
  • “Those curious about early sound film techniques and scores”
  • “Fans of Dolores Del Río and Joel McCrea”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief topless female nudity”
  • “Female nudity (swimming scenes)”
  • “Female rear nudity”
  • “Underwater nudity”
  • “Outdated and problematic racial stereotypes and themes”
  • “Sexism and patriarchal attitudes”
  • “Scenes depicting animal cruelty (interaction with a sea turtle)”

Professional Reviews

• Critic’s Cut: “Bird of Paradise is a captivating pre-Code masterpiece, visually stunning and remarkably daring for its time. Dolores Del Rio delivers a magnetic performance, beautifully complemented by Joel McCrea. King Vidor’s direction is immersive, making the exotic Hawaiian locations feel almost palpable. The film’s sensuality and groundbreaking continuous score by Max Steiner solidify its place as a significant piece of cinematic history, offering a lush and unforgettable romantic drama.
• Film Insights Journal: “King Vidor’s ‘Bird of Paradise’ stands as a fascinating artifact of early sound cinema, showcasing innovative techniques and a pioneering full orchestral score. While the ‘forbidden love’ narrative feels dated through a modern lens, the film’s visual poetry and the raw chemistry between Del Rio and McCrea are undeniable. It’s a compelling watch for film historians and those keen to see Hollywood pushing boundaries before the Production Code tightened its grip.

Audience Reactions

Many viewers were captivated by Dolores Del Rio’s stunning beauty and her fearless, naturalistic performance.: Audiences frequently praised the film’s groundbreaking pre-Code sensuality, particularly the iconic nude swimming scene and the daring portrayal of interracial romance.

The lush Hawaiian scenery and Max Steiner’s innovative, continuous musical score were often cited as major highlights.: Viewers consistently enjoyed the film’s romantic melodrama and its ability to transport them to an exotic, idyllic, albeit ultimately tragic, island paradise.

Overall Consensus: Bird of Paradise is generally viewed as a visually stunning and historically significant pre-Code romantic drama, celebrated for its daring content, lush cinematography, and Dolores Del Rio’s captivating performance, despite its somewhat dated narrative elements.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Max Steiner’s score for Bird of Paradise was one of the earliest full-length orchestral scores for a sound film, running continuously throughout the movie.”
• “The elaborate tribal dances featured in the film were choreographed by the legendary Busby Berkeley, although he went uncredited for his work.”
• “The film was notorious for its pre-Code elements, particularly a scene where Dolores Del Rio’s character swims nude, which sparked significant controversy and protests upon its release.”
• “Bird of Paradise marked the screen debut of Lon Chaney Jr., who was billed under his real name, Creighton Chaney.”
• “The native village set constructed for this film was reportedly later reused for RKO’s iconic 1933 monster film, King Kong.”

🖥️ How to Watch Bird of Paradise?

The 1932 film ‘Bird of Paradise’ is in the public domain, making it widely accessible. You can stream it for free on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, and it is frequently broadcast on public television stations and classic movie channels. Additionally, DVD copies are available from various distributors for purchase, offering a convenient way to own this pre-Code classic.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Bird of Paradise, you might like these similar films:

• Tabu: A Story of the South Seas (1931): Explores very similar themes of forbidden love and cultural clash in an exotic Polynesian setting, predating Bird of Paradise by a year.
• King Kong (1933): An iconic RKO film released shortly after, featuring an exotic island setting, ‘primitive’ natives, adventure, and also boasting a pioneering Max Steiner score.
• Tarzan the Ape Man (1932): This film’s release coincided with a surge of ‘jungle’ and exotic adventure films, featuring a white man adapting to a ‘primitive’ natural environment and challenging societal norms.
• Mutiny on the Bounty (1935): Features a similar South Seas escape from civilization, themes of cultural integration, and doomed romance set against a backdrop of natural beauty and conflict.
• Avatar (2009): A modern epic where a human outsider falls in love with a native woman from an indigenous culture, joining their fight against invaders who threaten their way of life and spiritual connection to nature.

🛒 Bird of Paradise Related Products

• Bird of Paradise (Restored Classic Edition) Blu-ray: Experience the pre-Code sensuality and stunning visuals of this groundbreaking classic in a fully restored high-definition transfer. This edition brings King Vidor’s masterful direction and Dolores Del Rio’s captivating performance to life like never before.
• Pre-Code Hollywood: Sex, Immorality, and the Birth of the Production Code: Delve into the wild, unbridled era of Hollywood cinema before strict censorship took hold. This insightful book explores the groundbreaking films, stars, and controversies that defined the pre-Code period, including films like ‘Bird of Paradise’.
• Max Steiner: The Bird of Paradise Original Score (Digital Album): Immerse yourself in the pioneering full orchestral score by Max Steiner, a landmark in film music history. This digital album captures the exotic and dramatic themes that underscored every moment of ‘Bird of Paradise,’ often cited as the first talkie with a continuous score.
• Vintage Hawaiian Travel Poster – ‘Island Paradise’ Art Print: Evoke the exotic beauty and romantic allure of the South Seas with this vintage-inspired art print. Featuring lush tropical landscapes and vibrant colors, it captures the timeless escape fantasy seen in films like ‘Bird of Paradise’.

🎧 Soundtrack

Bird of Paradise features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Theme (Original Score)” – performed by Max Steiner
• “Where the Blue of the Night (Meets the Gold of the Day)” – performed by Fred E. Ahlert

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Dolores del Rio (1932 “Bird of Paradise” nude swim) hardcrad.ca

Curious about a scene that pushed boundaries in 1932 Hollywood? This video not only features Dolores del Rio’s iconic ‘nude swim’ from *Bird of Paradise*, but its description also dives deep into the film’s stunning visuals and groundbreaking musical score. It’s amazing to see how much artistic merit this film had for its era!

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