BIRD OF PARADISE (1932) - ♦♦♦

Directed by - King Vidor

Written by - Wells Root, Wanda Tuchock, Leonard Praskins (based on a play by Richard Walton Tully)

Starring - Dolores Del Rio, Joel McCrea

"A native girl falls for a visitor of the island. But a bitter destiny awaits them, as she is the chosen one for a sacrifice to the volcanic gods. 

Bird of Paradise was released in 1932, in the midst of the matinee cinematic trend of adventure romance storylines, set in exotic places inhabited by native tribes with dangerous and menacing traditions. Its story is not particularly original, its angle feels very naive. However, the film is genuinely exciting, and a big part of the reason is King Vidor's spectacular direction, particularly impressive when considering the usually intrusive technological advancements of the early stage of sound in film. 

Furthermore, though occasionally intrusively, the film also dares to challenge the Hays code with some exciting stand out sequences with heavier sexual undertones. This aspect is helped by the presence of one of the most popular actresses and sex symbols of her time - Dolores Del Rio in the role of the native demsel in distress."

Adventure, USA