Song of the Islands

Song of the Islands is a 1942 musical comedy film starring Betty Grable and Victor Mature. It was directed by Walter Lang and released through 20th Century Fox.

Song of the Islands
Theatrical release poster
Directed byWalter Lang
Produced byDarryl F. Zanuck
William LeBaron
Written byJoseph Schrank
Robert Pirosh
Robert Ellis
Helen Logan
StarringBetty Grable
Victor Mature
Music byAlfred Newman
CinematographyErnest Palmer
Edited byRobert L. Simpson
Distributed by20th Century Fox
Release date
13 March 1942
Running time
76 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$1.4 million (US rentals)[1]

Plot

Jeff Harper sails to the tropical paradise Ahmi-Oni with his sidekick Rusty. He is there on behalf of his father, to bargain for land with Dennis O'Brien. Jeff, however, falls in love with O'Brien's daughter Eileen, and it is then up to Jeff's father to go to the island and try to break them up. This proves to be a task easier said than done, because Jeff's father also falls under the spell of the beautiful splendor of the islands.

Cast

Background

Betty Grable had recently scored major hits with her leading roles for Fox. Films such as Down Argentine Way and Tin Pan Alley both in 1940 as well as Moon Over Miami, A Yank in the RAF and I Wake Up Screaming all in 1941. After the success of Song of the Islands, Fox realized they had a gold mine on their hands and kept lavishing Grable with Technicolor musicals and an increasing salary.

Her co star was meant to be John Payne but he dropped out so he could make To the Shores of Tripoli and was replaced by Victor Mature. Mature had to drop out of Highway to Hell and was replaced by Cesar Romero. Filming began on 20 October 1941.[2]

In the 1979 film Yanks, set during World War II, there is a larger poster of the film on the wall.

References

  1. "101 Pix Gross in Millions" Variety 6 Jan 1943 p 58
  2. Schallert, Edwin (Oct 16, 1941). "Subjects Once Banned May Become Pictures: 'Gesture' Generates Idea Stewart to Adapt Shaw Mature Going Tropical Berlin Pens Film Tunes Dorsey Singers to Sign". Los Angeles Times. p. 16.
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