The Rodgers and Hammerstein songs from musical classic South Pacific rank with the best of their prodigious careers. This film adaptation of the unprecedented Broadway smash, directed by its stage director, Joshua Logan, may not have the boisterous energy found on recordings of the renowned stage production starring Mary Martin, but it substitutes lush Hawaiian locations and sumptuous photography.
The story builds two love affairs, one between a midwestern nurse (Mitzi Gaynor) and an older planter (Rossano Brazzi) with children and an ambivalence to the war that encroaches on his paradise, and one between a native girl (FranceNuyen) and a young American sailor (John Kerr).
Although Mary Martin originated the role of South Pacific’s Nellie Forbush on Broadway, when it came time to make the 1958 film Doris Day, Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor were considered for the role that eventually went to Mitzi Gaynor.
Songs include ‘Some Enchanted Evening,’ ‘I’m in Love with a Wonderful Guy,’ and ‘Bali H’ai.’
Academy Award Nominations: 3, including Best Cinematography.
Director: Joshua Logan Producer: Buddy Adler Director of Photography: Leon Shamroy Editor: Robert Simpson Screenwriter: Paul Osborn Production Designer: Lyle Wheeler
production details
USA | Twentieth Century Fox | 157 minutes | 1958
Director: Joshua Logan
Script: Oscar Hammerstein II, Richard Rodgers, Paul Osborn, James A. Michener, Joshua Logan,
cast
Rossano Brazzi as Emile De Becque
Mitzi Gaynor as Ensign Nellie Forbush, USN
Juanita Hall as Bloody Mary
France Nuyen as Liat
Russ Brown as Capt. J.M. Brackett, USN
Jack Mullaney as The Professor
Floyd Simmons as Commander Harbison, USN
Richard Harrison as Co-Pilot
Joan Fontaine as Polynesian Woman
Doug McClure as Pilot in Hospital
Walt Davis as Blue Boy
Ray Walston as Luther Billis
Tom Laughlin as Lt. Buzz Adams
Ken Clark as Stewpot
John Kerr as Lt. Joseph Cable, USMC
Ron Ely as Navigator
Candace Lee as Ngana – Emile’s Child
Warren Hsieh as Jerome – Emile’s Child
Giorgio Tozzi as Emile De Becque (singing voice)
Archie Savage as Ceremonial Dance Chief / Boar’s Tooth Ceremonial Dancer: Chief
Francis Kahele as Henry – Emile’s Servant
Robert Jacobs as 1st Communications Man
John Gabriel as 2nd Communications Man
Steve Wiland as Seabee Dancer
Richard H. Cutting as Admiral Kester
Joe Bailey as U.S. Commander
Buck Class as Fighter Pilot
Richard Kiser as Fighter Pilot
Robert Hover as Pilot in Hospital
Stephen Ferry as Pilot in Hospital
Joan Baker as Nurse at Nurses’ Beach
Diane Reid as Nurse at Nurses’ Beach
Phyllis Butcher as Nurse at Nurses’ Beach
Dian Goodman as Nurse at Nurses’ Beach
Diane DuBois as Nurse at Nurses’ Beach
Anna James as Nurse at Nurses’ Beach
Karen Gallant as Nurse at Nurses’ Beach
Joyce Kramer as Nurse at Nurses’ Beach
Barbara Cole as Nurse at Nurses’ Beach
Mary Bishop as Nurse at Nurses’ Beach
May Fewell as Nurse at Nurses’ Beach
Beverly Johnson as Nurse at Nurses’ Beach
Jane Lucas as Nurse at Nurses’ Beach
Janet Hanrahan as Nurse at Nurses’ Beach
Helene Patridge as Nurse at Nurses’ Beach
Barbara Nesser as Nurse at Nurses’ Beach
Marlene Lizzio as Nurse at Nurses’ Beach
Muffett Webb as Nurse at Nurses’ Beach
Mary Jo Flanders as Nurse at Nurses’ Beach
Debbie Wilcox as Nurse at Nurses’ Beach
Faye Antaky as Nurse in Thanksgiving Show
Donna Pouget as Nurse in Thanksgiving Show
Dorothy Abbott as Nurse in Thanksgiving Show
Pat Volasko as Nurse in Thanksgiving Show
Jan Haller as Nurse in Thanksgiving Show
Beverly Aadland as Nurse in Thanksgiving Show
Bonnie Lene as Nurse in Thanksgiving Show
Jonnie Paris as Nurse in Thanksgiving Show
Diane Myles as Nurse in Thanksgiving Show
Barbara Donaldson as Nurse in Thanksgiving Show
Ila McAvoy as Nurse in Thanksgiving Show
Joanne Jones as Nurse in Thanksgiving Show
Larri Thomas as Nurse in Thanksgiving Show
Darlene Engle as Nurse in Thanksgiving Show
Kay Tapscott as Nurse in Thanksgiving Show
Evelyn Ford as Nurse in Thanksgiving Show
Betty Bunch as Nurse in Thanksgiving Show
Susan Logan as Nurse in Thanksgiving Show
Dan Wallace as Sailor / Seabee
Karl Heyer as Sailor / Seabee
Jim DeCloss as Sailor / Seabee
Mike Vincent as Sailor / Seabee
James Stacy as Sailor / Seabee
Donald Mundell as Sailor / Seabee
Alvin Arnold as Sailor / Seabee
Mark Pinkston as Sailor / Seabee
Gene Bergman as Sailor / Seabee
Velton Parker as Sailor / Seabee
John Chasey as Sailor / Seabee
Lee Thomas as Sailor / Seabee
Carl Esser as Sailor / Seabee
Joseph Schlichter as Sailor / Seabee
Jim Ganley as Sailor / Seabee
Richard Smith as Sailor / Seabee
Murray Gaby as Sailor / Seabee
Robert Nielson as Sailor / Seabee
William Glisson as Sailor / Seabee
Hadley Gray as Sailor / Seabee
George Hooper as Sailor / Seabee
John Caler as Sailor / Seabee
Charles Joyner as Sailor / Seabee
Morris Harmell as Sailor / Seabee
Donald Lane as Sailor / Seabee
Donald Nobles as Sailor / Seabee
Tom Moore as Sailor / Seabee
Mike Salamunovich as Sailor / Seabee
Tom Logan as Sailor / Seabee
Durwood Bloomgren as Marine / Sailor in Thanksgiving Show
Charles Lunard as Marine / Sailor in Thanksgiving Show
Tex Brodus as Marine / Sailor in Thanksgiving Show
Joe Paz as Marine / Sailor in Thanksgiving Show
Bob Calder as Marine / Sailor in Thanksgiving Show
Eddie Searles as Marine / Sailor in Thanksgiving Show
Roy Damron as Marine / Sailor in Thanksgiving Show
Clark Lee as Marine / Sailor in Thanksgiving Show
Galvan DeLeon as Boar’s Tooth Ceremonial Dancer: Sub Chief
Bob Destine as Boar’s Tooth Ceremonial Dancer: Whip Man
Sidney Hurston as Boar’s Tooth Ceremonial Dancer: Birdman
Leroy Hamilton as Boar’s Tooth Ceremonial Dancer: Birdman
James Truitt as Boar’s Tooth Ceremonial Dancer: Ashman
Clyde Webb as Boar’s Tooth Ceremonial Dancer: Ashman
Steve Pappich as Boar’s Tooth Ceremonial Dancer: Ashman
Victor Upshaw as Boar’s Tooth Ceremonial Dancer: Firetender
Nat Bush as Boar’s Tooth Ceremonial Dancer: Firetender
Garland Thompson as Boar’s Tooth Ceremonial Dancer: Firetender
Ralph Weaver as Boar’s Tooth Ceremonial Dancer: Firetender
James Field as Barua
William Washington as Barua
Marco López as Barua
Charles Carter as Barua
Alex Young as Barua
Ray Mendez as Barua
George Hall as Barua
Richard Domasin as Barua
James Malcolm as Barua
Maaka Nua as Barua
Johnny Morgan as Barua
Tony Nua as Barua
Jack Williams as Barua
Selu Nua as Barua
Andrew Robinson as Barua
Niki Nua as Barua
Kirk Boone as Blue Boy
Wesley Gale as Blue Boy
Don Marshall as Blue Boy
Clarence M. Landry as Blue Boy
David Walker as Blue Boy
Andrew Isaacs as Blue Boy
Harold Walker as Blue Boy
Walter Smith as Blue Boy
Charles Mohr as Blue Boy
George Davis as Drummer / Musician
Santiago Mos as Drummer / Musician
Kenneth Walker as Drummer / Musician
Gregory Christmas as Drummer / Musician
Bill Ornelles as Drummer / Musician
Gary Christmas as Drummer / Musician
Freddy Baker as Drummer / Musician
Gene Fontaine as Drummer / Musician
James Green as Drummer / Musician
Charles R. Rogers as Drummer / Musician
Don Martin as Drummer / Musician
Anita Dano as Polynesian Woman
Ann Darris as Polynesian Woman
Yvonne de Lavallade as Polynesian Woman
Lemmana Guerin as Polynesian Woman
Paulette Easley as Polynesian Woman
Telu Mansfield as Polynesian Woman
Claire Alcantara as Polynesian Woman
Vicki Orozco as Polynesian Woman
Misaye Meyer as Polynesian Woman
Bobbi Coté as Polynesian Woman
Mimi Dillard as Polynesian Woman
Harriet Young as Polynesian Woman