Ooh-ooh!
Another film I watched over the weekend -- one sent on a VHS tape by a friend who recorded it off Cinemax many years ago -- was the 1951 20th Century-Fox island epic "Bird of Paradise". Written and Directed by Delmer Daves, this film was a bit too simplistic for the time it was made. But the film is probably the most gorgeous I've seen in terms of showing off the islands of Polynesia.
The photography and location and, best of all, a wonderfully lovely (and unique) score by Daniele Amfitheatrof with sumptuous chorale work by Ken Darby adds up to just under two hours of wondrous entertainment.
Debra Paget, as Kahlua, daughter of the chief who most make the ultimate sacrifice for her people (according to the evil-looking Kahuna, reader of signs and portents) has never been more lovely in any film she made. She doesn't have many lines, but she smiles winningly throughout the film...except, of course, when she's sad.
I saw this film twice on NBC's "Saturday Night at the Movies" back in the 1960s. Haven't seen it since until this past Friday.
It was a very happy reunion!