Silent film actor Kenneth Harlan (as Jim Thorne) takes the talking pictures plunge - he plays a South Sea skipper prowling for girls and pearls. On a sleepy small island filled with lazy natives, Mr. Harlan meets spunky white Marceline Day (as Ellen Bradford). Harlan is pleased to find the "white woman" he'd been seeking; but, Ms. Day reveals she has arrived to marry habitually inebriated Gladden James (as Roy Armstrong). Then, Day says she'll put off the wedding temporarily, until Mr. James sobers up. Of course, Harlan becomes interested in Day.
Although ultimately too dramatic to be one, "Paradise Island" plays like a mid-sixties Elvis Presley movie, due to its soundtrack and setting. Like Elvis, Harlan signs, fights, and romances. His best song is the twice performed "A Girl in Every Port"; with his "traditional" song a close second. Day sings one song. Neither player is very impressive in their "talking" role. Supporting star Tom Santschi (as smarmy Captain Lutze) takes the best performance honor; although, in this film, it doesn't count for much. Director Bert Glennon was, later on, successful in cinematography.
** Paradise Island (7/15/30) Bert Glennon ~ Kenneth Harlan, Marceline Day, Tom Santschi
Although ultimately too dramatic to be one, "Paradise Island" plays like a mid-sixties Elvis Presley movie, due to its soundtrack and setting. Like Elvis, Harlan signs, fights, and romances. His best song is the twice performed "A Girl in Every Port"; with his "traditional" song a close second. Day sings one song. Neither player is very impressive in their "talking" role. Supporting star Tom Santschi (as smarmy Captain Lutze) takes the best performance honor; although, in this film, it doesn't count for much. Director Bert Glennon was, later on, successful in cinematography.
** Paradise Island (7/15/30) Bert Glennon ~ Kenneth Harlan, Marceline Day, Tom Santschi