Jon Hall leapt to fame in a Nordhoff-Hall adaptation, The Hurricane, so it's not surprising to see him in another one. This was made at RKO, not known for South Seas tales - which may explain why it's shot in their pleasant black and white noir. It was directed by Charles Vidor.
Hall is second billed - the above the title star is Charles Laughton. Hall returns home to Tahiti (where Hall grew up IRL), to rejoin his family headed by Laughton. This isn't really a standard South Seas tale, with island princesses and volcanoes and the like - it's more a wacky family comedy along the lines of Darling Buds of May or You Can't Take It With You with a charming paterfamilias and sprawling brood who never seem to work.
It's not that fun to watch - Laughton is always spending money, there's too much talk of money and loas. It lacks female interest - Hall's character really should be a female. There's a gal Hall kind of wants to marry (Peggy Drake) but her part isn't very big. Sher's just a dopey island girl - why not make her interesting to give it some conflict, like she's a stuffed shirt, or the daughter of the guy who has loaned Laughton money, or something.
Lughton's poor make up is annoying - he is given dark skin make up to make him Tahitian, I think, they just should made him English.
There are strong production values - a huge crowd at a cock fight, lots of extra greeting boats.
There's talk of a fighting chicken from Australia which is fun. It's owned by Florence Bates, whose duels with Laughton are the most entertaining aspect of the film. It's not really fun. Lacks atmosphere. Too hard. Too boysie. Laughton has a good moment when he thinks his kids have died.
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