Bird of Paradise | |
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Film poster
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Directed by |
King Vidor Fred Fleck (assistant) |
Produced by |
David O. Selznick King Vidor |
Written by | Wells Root Wanda Tuchock Leonard Praskins |
Starring |
Dolores del Río Joel McCrea |
Music by | Max Steiner |
Cinematography |
Lucien Andriot Edward Cronjager Clyde De Vinna |
Edited by | Archie Marshek |
Production
company |
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Distributed by | RKO Radio Pictures |
Release date
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Running time
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80 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $752,000 |
Box office | $753,000 |
Bird of Paradise is an American Pre-Code 1932 American romantic adventure drama film directed by King Vidor, starring Dolores del Río and Joel McCrea. It was released by RKO Radio Pictures.
In 1960, the film entered the public domain in the U.S. due to the claimants' failure to renew its copyright registration in the 28th year after publication per the Copyright Act of 1909.
As a yacht sails into an island chain in the South Pacific, a large number of natives in pontoon boats sail out to greet them. The natives dive for the trinkets the yacht's crew throws them. A shark arrives, scaring most of the natives away. Attempting to catch a shark by throwing it bait that has been tied to a harpoon-sized hook, Johnny Baker (Joel McCrea) accidentally steps into a loop that tightens around his ankle. The shark takes the bait, and the rope grows tighter, causing the rope to yank the young man overboard. Luana (Dolores del Río), the daughter of the chief, saves his life by leaping into the water and cutting the rope.
It is not long before they meet in the middle of the night. Swiftly falling in love, they discover she has been promised by her father to another man – a prince on a neighboring island. An arranged wedding with an elaborate dance sequence then follows. Johnny appears at the nick of time, runs into a circle of burning fire, rescues her as the natives kneel to the fire.