28 reviews
No Diamond Head, but excellent Hawaiian panoramas
"It's all you've got left, isn't it? Brute force."
Richard 'King' Howland and his sister Sloane (Heston and Mimieux) live on an island, the only wonderful place that gets bigger every time they saw it from the sky
Sloane has just returned from California graduated but she despises waiting She has something on her mind to tell her brother about Paul (James Darren). So she asks her brother how did he feel about Paul Kahana?
The whole film is about racial intolerance and it sends a strong message, which kept the story interesting Trade with them, be friends with them, even sleep with them, but don't marry them
This is Hawaii It can happen here, and it does all the time For Laura Beckett (Elizabeth Allen), King's sister-in-law, it happens, but not to people of their class For King, if Sloane marries Paul, her children will inherit Manoalani one day, and all that goes with it Paul is pure Hawaiian Their families have been in these islands over a hundred years They have never mixed their blood
Charlton Heston plays a rich narrow-minded pineapple grower, obstinately and intolerantly devoted to his own beliefs, even though he himself having an affair with Mai Chen (France Nuyen), the woman who doesn't ask questions
Mai knows that most women can make the world go away for a while, but none can make it stay away Richard Knows that he's in danger of becoming an uncle His sister and himself are the last of their line Her son will own Manoalani one day and he has to be the right kid of son Obviously he could have a child He might even have a son But he has no intention of marrying again But Mai Chen thinks differently He should have his own son But King had a son His name was Richard Howland III He was 3 years old that day A tidal wave, 40-foot crest smashed into Hilo and killed him and his mother and 120 others So he doesn't want another son
Yvette Mimieux achieved stardom in "Where the Boys Are" (1960) and here, she is incredibly fresh, innocent and beautiful
Filmed in Color and Wide Screen, the photography is too beautiful presenting a tropical paradise of turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, waving palm trees, lush tropical vegetation and gentle sunshine
Sloane has just returned from California graduated but she despises waiting She has something on her mind to tell her brother about Paul (James Darren). So she asks her brother how did he feel about Paul Kahana?
The whole film is about racial intolerance and it sends a strong message, which kept the story interesting Trade with them, be friends with them, even sleep with them, but don't marry them
This is Hawaii It can happen here, and it does all the time For Laura Beckett (Elizabeth Allen), King's sister-in-law, it happens, but not to people of their class For King, if Sloane marries Paul, her children will inherit Manoalani one day, and all that goes with it Paul is pure Hawaiian Their families have been in these islands over a hundred years They have never mixed their blood
Charlton Heston plays a rich narrow-minded pineapple grower, obstinately and intolerantly devoted to his own beliefs, even though he himself having an affair with Mai Chen (France Nuyen), the woman who doesn't ask questions
Mai knows that most women can make the world go away for a while, but none can make it stay away Richard Knows that he's in danger of becoming an uncle His sister and himself are the last of their line Her son will own Manoalani one day and he has to be the right kid of son Obviously he could have a child He might even have a son But he has no intention of marrying again But Mai Chen thinks differently He should have his own son But King had a son His name was Richard Howland III He was 3 years old that day A tidal wave, 40-foot crest smashed into Hilo and killed him and his mother and 120 others So he doesn't want another son
Yvette Mimieux achieved stardom in "Where the Boys Are" (1960) and here, she is incredibly fresh, innocent and beautiful
Filmed in Color and Wide Screen, the photography is too beautiful presenting a tropical paradise of turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, waving palm trees, lush tropical vegetation and gentle sunshine
- Nazi_Fighter_David
- Oct 27, 2007
- Permalink
Ethnic/racial soap opera with a big screen and colours
The first thing that hit me about this movie was an appreciation of the wide screens and bright colours that prevailed in movies of that era. Hawaii looks great here. On a large screen, that alone would have been worth the price of admission.
As for that other stuff, cast, acting, directing, story, dialogue, etc. Well, this is a soap opera and don't expect too much more except that the plot angles focus on race, ethnic relations and class and this gives them a bit more substance than some other soap operas such "The Picnic" or "Portrait in Black". At the time, it probably skated the line between being edgy enough to intrigue the audience but not so controversial to be scandalous. Today, it comes across as pretty mild although the issues themselves have certainly not disappeared.
Nothing and no one is either brilliant or terrible although Philip Ahn's small part is excellent and produces a strong moment. Heston has his huge screen presence but this is not one of his classic roles. There is not enough there for it to possibly become that. Mimieux looks great and her role is as essential as Heston's and is a soap opera archetype. Nuyen also looks great and, as usual for her in the 60s, melancholy.
As for that other stuff, cast, acting, directing, story, dialogue, etc. Well, this is a soap opera and don't expect too much more except that the plot angles focus on race, ethnic relations and class and this gives them a bit more substance than some other soap operas such "The Picnic" or "Portrait in Black". At the time, it probably skated the line between being edgy enough to intrigue the audience but not so controversial to be scandalous. Today, it comes across as pretty mild although the issues themselves have certainly not disappeared.
Nothing and no one is either brilliant or terrible although Philip Ahn's small part is excellent and produces a strong moment. Heston has his huge screen presence but this is not one of his classic roles. There is not enough there for it to possibly become that. Mimieux looks great and her role is as essential as Heston's and is a soap opera archetype. Nuyen also looks great and, as usual for her in the 60s, melancholy.
Great escapism
The people are pretty. The scenery is spectacular. What more do you want?
A drama movie about a stubborn and ambitious owner well played by the great Charlton Heston
Set in 1950 Hawaii , there a powerful, obstinate owner : Charlton Heston prohibites his sister : Yvette Mimieux to marry a native : James Darren , resulting in fateful consequences . As Richard Howland and his political ambitions bringing misery and destruction to his family via his stubborness . Along the way, ruthless Richard is in love with a beautiful native girl : France Nuyen who is secretely impregnated . The Giant Story of Modern Hawaii !!
A Soap Opera and unpretentious entertainment movie about an ambitious pineapple , US Senatorial candidate and his family including drama, love stories and tragedy . Based on the Peter Gilman novel titled Such Sweet Thunder and screenplay by prestigious Margueritte Roberts . Charlton Heston gives a nice acting in his usual style as the tough and bigoted land baron who will stop at nothing to get his political purports . Heston also starred a similar film The Hawaiians 1970 by Tom Gries in which he played another pineapple owner . Costars the gorgeous Yvette Mimieux as the Lady in distress due to jealous and ambition his brother . Accompanied by a good plethora of actors delivering acceptable interpretations , such as : George Chakiris , France Nuyen, James Darren, Aline MacMahon , Elizabeth Allen , Vaughn Taylor , Philip Ahn , among others .
It contains a wonderful and spectacular cinematography from the sunny Hawaii by cameraman Sam Leavitt . As well as emotive and rousing musical score by incombustible John Williams . The motion picture was professionally directed by Guy Green . He was a notorious cameraman , in fact he photographed some David Lean films . And occassionally directing some films with penchant for Dramas , as he made the following ones : River Boat , Posmark for danger , Sea of Sand , SOS Pacific , The Mark , A Patch of Blue , Walk in the spring rain , Luther , Once is not enough , The incredible Journey of Dr Meg Laurel , Strong Medicine , among others . Rating : 6/10 . The movie will appeal to Charlton Heston fans .
A Soap Opera and unpretentious entertainment movie about an ambitious pineapple , US Senatorial candidate and his family including drama, love stories and tragedy . Based on the Peter Gilman novel titled Such Sweet Thunder and screenplay by prestigious Margueritte Roberts . Charlton Heston gives a nice acting in his usual style as the tough and bigoted land baron who will stop at nothing to get his political purports . Heston also starred a similar film The Hawaiians 1970 by Tom Gries in which he played another pineapple owner . Costars the gorgeous Yvette Mimieux as the Lady in distress due to jealous and ambition his brother . Accompanied by a good plethora of actors delivering acceptable interpretations , such as : George Chakiris , France Nuyen, James Darren, Aline MacMahon , Elizabeth Allen , Vaughn Taylor , Philip Ahn , among others .
It contains a wonderful and spectacular cinematography from the sunny Hawaii by cameraman Sam Leavitt . As well as emotive and rousing musical score by incombustible John Williams . The motion picture was professionally directed by Guy Green . He was a notorious cameraman , in fact he photographed some David Lean films . And occassionally directing some films with penchant for Dramas , as he made the following ones : River Boat , Posmark for danger , Sea of Sand , SOS Pacific , The Mark , A Patch of Blue , Walk in the spring rain , Luther , Once is not enough , The incredible Journey of Dr Meg Laurel , Strong Medicine , among others . Rating : 6/10 . The movie will appeal to Charlton Heston fans .
Mildly diverting dramatics
An overwrought, overcooked screen-adaptation of Peter Gilman's book by screenwriter Marguerite Roberts concerning a politician and land baron in Hawaii who is having an affair with a native girl--yet who butts heads with his own sister over her affair with an island boy! Somewhat stilted soaper from director Guy Green is occasionally funny unintentionally. Despite a good cast (including Charlton Heston, Yvette Mimieux, and James Darren), the characters themselves aren't a very likable lot, and the plot-developments are eventually stagnated by Roberts and Green's lack of inspiration and invention. There was potential here for a really strong melodrama, but it goes unrealized. The Hawaiian locales are certainly nice compensation, as is Johnny Williams' rousing score. **1/2 from ****
- moonspinner55
- Jun 23, 2007
- Permalink
very Shakespearian themes
A good film, Macbeth and Romeo-Juliet in a Hawaiian setting. Credible performances, but this film could have been shot in California or mostly on a soundstage. It deserves better than a 4.5 of 10 but surely not more than a 7. A poignant social, cultural commentary on Hawaii becoming a State in mid-Twentieth century.
Head of Diamond
A film about a mixed marriage that produces mixed results.
So, you decide you want to make a film with a strong social statement about prejudice. You want to show the stupidity and hypocrisy of folks hating mixed-race people...and they then get folks like George Chakiris and James Darren to play these 'mixed' characters!! The actors were lovely men...but looked about as much like they were from mixed ancestry as Shirley Temple! In other words, despite a great story idea they cop out and pick the very white actors to play these characters!! What a mistake...and it clearly was a sign of the times in which it was made. Perhaps the producers had a hard time finding mixed actors suitable for the roles...but finding pretty teen heartthrobs seemed inappropriate given the serious plot. My assumption is that the writer probably felt a bit sick about this...but they almost never have any influence on who plays their characters. But I will excuse some of this--for its day it was rather broad-minded. Plus, Charlton Heston should be applauded for such a role, as he was one of the few white actors who stood along side the Freedom Marchers...so it's pretty obvious that this film meant something to him. After having recently completed BEN HUR and THE BIG COUNTRY he could have chosen any project and chose this.
The film is a soapy affair in which a supposedly liberal-minded and very powerful Hawaiian man, 'King' Howland, is horrified when his sister (Yvette Mimieux) falls in love with a guy of mixed white and Hawaiian blood (James Darren). But he's also a complete hypocrite, as on the side he has an Asian woman (France Nuyen) of his own!! And, when she become pregnant he refuses to have anything to do with her or the child! Nice guy, huh?! What's next? See the film...or not.
Overall, this is a decent film...though if you're looking for Heston in a better film about Hawaii, I prefer THE HAWAIIANS (a sequel to HAWAII). The story is interesting and engaging but loses a bit due to the casting and the soapy elements which deter from the film's believability. The worst is some of the dialog (particularly some of the drivel given to Mimieux to deliver). Not bad entertainment but that's really about it.
The film is a soapy affair in which a supposedly liberal-minded and very powerful Hawaiian man, 'King' Howland, is horrified when his sister (Yvette Mimieux) falls in love with a guy of mixed white and Hawaiian blood (James Darren). But he's also a complete hypocrite, as on the side he has an Asian woman (France Nuyen) of his own!! And, when she become pregnant he refuses to have anything to do with her or the child! Nice guy, huh?! What's next? See the film...or not.
Overall, this is a decent film...though if you're looking for Heston in a better film about Hawaii, I prefer THE HAWAIIANS (a sequel to HAWAII). The story is interesting and engaging but loses a bit due to the casting and the soapy elements which deter from the film's believability. The worst is some of the dialog (particularly some of the drivel given to Mimieux to deliver). Not bad entertainment but that's really about it.
- planktonrules
- Apr 5, 2016
- Permalink
Cut from the ROSS HUNTER SCHOOL OF Film-making
Love love love, money can't buy me love.
- bombersflyup
- Feb 27, 2018
- Permalink
Beautiful Yvette Mimieux Stars with Charlton Heston
MGM had a group of young stars Richard Chamberlain, George Peppard, Paula Prentiss, Jim Hutton, George Hamilton, and beautiful Yvette Mimieux.
Charlton Heston is very fine in this drama with great colors photography.
The film made a lot of Hawaii as being admitted to the USA. MGM loaned Yvette Mimieux to Columbia for above the title star billing. Columbia's contract player James Darren also is cast. Columbia had its own contract roster: Mr. Darren, along with Michael Callan, Deborah Walley, Cindi Carol
Yvette Mimieux and Charlton Heston would re unite back at MGM years later in Skyjacked.
Charlton Heston is very fine in this drama with great colors photography.
The film made a lot of Hawaii as being admitted to the USA. MGM loaned Yvette Mimieux to Columbia for above the title star billing. Columbia's contract player James Darren also is cast. Columbia had its own contract roster: Mr. Darren, along with Michael Callan, Deborah Walley, Cindi Carol
Yvette Mimieux and Charlton Heston would re unite back at MGM years later in Skyjacked.
- adventure-21903
- Apr 2, 2020
- Permalink
Good script, direction almost overcome a miscast hammy Heston.
This film is much more stirring than "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," another racially charged drama that would come along four years later. And Yvette Mimieux is fare more captivating than the sugary Katharine Houghton from that film. The other actors all fare well in their performance, with one notable exception:
If the Razzie Award people ever gave an award for "Miscast the most times over the course of a career" it's Charlton Heston. There is way too much of an age difference between him and his supposed sister Yvette Mimieux, they should have made him play her uncle. (Although I can see how his name probably came up to play such an arrogant S.O.B.) Did he have it in his contract that in every one of his films he got to punch someone? His one-note performance sucks some of the juice out, but fortunately this is more of an ensemble piece.
This came on late at night, and I stayed up because I really wanted to find out what would happen. The story still resonates today. The themes are still around today: hypocrisy, prejudice, stereotypes, class, etc. But the thing that makes this just a good film and not a great one though is that unfortunate movie habit of the era: trying to tie everything up neatly at the end.
With all the dramatic events that had gone on prior to the conclusion, the last few scenes seem hurried, not fleshed-out enough. I might not recommend this film as much as the similarly-themed "Sayonara," but if you have the opportunity to watch it you will be intrigued. If you're not in the first ten minutes, then you'll know it's not for you.
Note to certain interested parties: There are several very hot-looking actors in this, both male and female!
If the Razzie Award people ever gave an award for "Miscast the most times over the course of a career" it's Charlton Heston. There is way too much of an age difference between him and his supposed sister Yvette Mimieux, they should have made him play her uncle. (Although I can see how his name probably came up to play such an arrogant S.O.B.) Did he have it in his contract that in every one of his films he got to punch someone? His one-note performance sucks some of the juice out, but fortunately this is more of an ensemble piece.
This came on late at night, and I stayed up because I really wanted to find out what would happen. The story still resonates today. The themes are still around today: hypocrisy, prejudice, stereotypes, class, etc. But the thing that makes this just a good film and not a great one though is that unfortunate movie habit of the era: trying to tie everything up neatly at the end.
With all the dramatic events that had gone on prior to the conclusion, the last few scenes seem hurried, not fleshed-out enough. I might not recommend this film as much as the similarly-themed "Sayonara," but if you have the opportunity to watch it you will be intrigued. If you're not in the first ten minutes, then you'll know it's not for you.
Note to certain interested parties: There are several very hot-looking actors in this, both male and female!
Pineapple Flavored Soap
I wonder if the late J. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina ever saw this film. He would have understood the character of Charlton Heston in this movie as few others are capable of. As we all know, several years after Thurmond's death in 2003 at 101, a black woman who was his illegitimate daughter came out with a book about the South's long standing segregationist and Dixiecrat candidate for president in 1948.
The film is set in Hawaii in 1959 just upon Hawaii's admission as a state and Charlton Heston comes from a family not unlike the Parkers who still have a ranch on Hawaii's big island that takes a lot acreage there and is the state Ponderosa. Heston's being touted as someone who could be one of their first two US Senators. He's a widower whose wife and son were killed years ago in the famous tidal wave at Hilo and lives at the ranch with his wife's sister Elizabeth Allan and his sister Yvette Mimieux.
Having visited Hawaii for a glorious week I can speak to Hawaii's reputation for tolerance, but even paradise will have a few racial trolls. Even though he's got a Eurasian mistress, France Nuyen of long standing whom he's just put in a family way, he objects mightily to the proposed interracial marriage of native Hawaiian James Darren and Mimieux. When his objections become the underlying cause of tragedy, Heston's political career is shot to pieces. What might fly in Alabama has no place in Hawaii.
During his career Heston also played Thomas Jefferson which came out the same year as Diamond Head. I'm wondering if he didn't channel some of Jefferson into playing 'King' Howland who had a well known backstairs interracial relationship with Sally Hemmings. If Patsy or Polly Jefferson had ever come to father and said they were going to marry some free black man, I imagine Jefferson would have reacted the same way as Heston does with Mimieux.
Diamond Head is a nice Hawaiian soap opera which could have made some great prime time Dynasty like viewing with a pineapple twist. But it fails utterly in conveying any serious message about racial tolerance. Still you can't shoot a bad looking film on Hawaii and since the cast shot it on location, they're all ahead of the game if they got to spend time on the islands. Charlton Heston even got to do it again several years later in The Hawaiians.
Besides those I've mentioned look for George Chakiris as Darren's half brother, Aline McMahon as their mom and Philip Ahn as a most efficient police inspector. What I liked about what Ahn did with the part is that it could have been played like Charlie Chan and it wasn't.
You can never go wrong with a Hawaiian based film. Even the worst films are never bad looking and Diamond Head is far from the worst.
The film is set in Hawaii in 1959 just upon Hawaii's admission as a state and Charlton Heston comes from a family not unlike the Parkers who still have a ranch on Hawaii's big island that takes a lot acreage there and is the state Ponderosa. Heston's being touted as someone who could be one of their first two US Senators. He's a widower whose wife and son were killed years ago in the famous tidal wave at Hilo and lives at the ranch with his wife's sister Elizabeth Allan and his sister Yvette Mimieux.
Having visited Hawaii for a glorious week I can speak to Hawaii's reputation for tolerance, but even paradise will have a few racial trolls. Even though he's got a Eurasian mistress, France Nuyen of long standing whom he's just put in a family way, he objects mightily to the proposed interracial marriage of native Hawaiian James Darren and Mimieux. When his objections become the underlying cause of tragedy, Heston's political career is shot to pieces. What might fly in Alabama has no place in Hawaii.
During his career Heston also played Thomas Jefferson which came out the same year as Diamond Head. I'm wondering if he didn't channel some of Jefferson into playing 'King' Howland who had a well known backstairs interracial relationship with Sally Hemmings. If Patsy or Polly Jefferson had ever come to father and said they were going to marry some free black man, I imagine Jefferson would have reacted the same way as Heston does with Mimieux.
Diamond Head is a nice Hawaiian soap opera which could have made some great prime time Dynasty like viewing with a pineapple twist. But it fails utterly in conveying any serious message about racial tolerance. Still you can't shoot a bad looking film on Hawaii and since the cast shot it on location, they're all ahead of the game if they got to spend time on the islands. Charlton Heston even got to do it again several years later in The Hawaiians.
Besides those I've mentioned look for George Chakiris as Darren's half brother, Aline McMahon as their mom and Philip Ahn as a most efficient police inspector. What I liked about what Ahn did with the part is that it could have been played like Charlie Chan and it wasn't.
You can never go wrong with a Hawaiian based film. Even the worst films are never bad looking and Diamond Head is far from the worst.
- bkoganbing
- Feb 18, 2009
- Permalink
A great movie to watch for the first time...
Charlton Heston does a great job of acting by becoming the opposite of what he is in real life. His sister comes home from college only to tell him that she is in love with a Hawaiian native (James Darren) to which he is opposed because of his race. Little does anyone know that "King" (Heston) is seeing a Hawaiian woman himself who carries a secret. The story moves well and does not lag or leave you confused. There are also some great supporting roles played out. I won't spoil it for you, but I will say that this is a great movie to watch for the first time and also a great addition to your film collection.
The best soap opera with pineapples
This might be one of (maybe) seven movies made in Hawaii in the 60's that does not star Elvis. He could have stopped by, Lord knows anything would have helped.
Speaking of which, for some very annoying reason, Charlton Heston is referred to as the 'King' by the other characters. Yvette Mimieux is his sister who is in love with a Hawaiian and that does not fly well with the dominating King, but its not like Troy Donahue was an alternative, right? They ARE in Hawaii, right?
She carries on with James Darren, heavily made up and George Chakiris is around since the year before he away with playing a Puerto Rican in "West Side Story", so why not? He plays a doctor but I think the only thing in his medicine bag is his Supporting Oscar, to remind anyone who asks what the hell he's doing in this movie.
In the meantime, Heston, ever the hypocrite, is having an affair with a Hawaiian woman (Nuyen) and apparently the movie is racist enough to make the statement that Hawaiians are okay to sleep with but don't mix the bloodlines. All prejudice is right on the table and even an elderly Hawaiian woman admits to her own reverse-prejudice. How nice.
I am a big Mimieux fan and even watched her other effort with Heston, called "Skyjacked". She is very beautiful in my eyes and a decent actress.
With that in mind, if you're in the mood for some heavily dated, overacted melodrama, you could do a lot worse.
I still wish someone would explain to me why Heston had such a great career. Its not like there weren't 30 other actors who could've done better in any of the movies he was in. He was from a time when there was no shortage of competent leading men who could look good on the screen AND act. He's not really evil enough in this to make a memorable villian and since the movie rests on his huge jaw, its not as trashy as it could have been, or as classy either.
Speaking of which, for some very annoying reason, Charlton Heston is referred to as the 'King' by the other characters. Yvette Mimieux is his sister who is in love with a Hawaiian and that does not fly well with the dominating King, but its not like Troy Donahue was an alternative, right? They ARE in Hawaii, right?
She carries on with James Darren, heavily made up and George Chakiris is around since the year before he away with playing a Puerto Rican in "West Side Story", so why not? He plays a doctor but I think the only thing in his medicine bag is his Supporting Oscar, to remind anyone who asks what the hell he's doing in this movie.
In the meantime, Heston, ever the hypocrite, is having an affair with a Hawaiian woman (Nuyen) and apparently the movie is racist enough to make the statement that Hawaiians are okay to sleep with but don't mix the bloodlines. All prejudice is right on the table and even an elderly Hawaiian woman admits to her own reverse-prejudice. How nice.
I am a big Mimieux fan and even watched her other effort with Heston, called "Skyjacked". She is very beautiful in my eyes and a decent actress.
With that in mind, if you're in the mood for some heavily dated, overacted melodrama, you could do a lot worse.
I still wish someone would explain to me why Heston had such a great career. Its not like there weren't 30 other actors who could've done better in any of the movies he was in. He was from a time when there was no shortage of competent leading men who could look good on the screen AND act. He's not really evil enough in this to make a memorable villian and since the movie rests on his huge jaw, its not as trashy as it could have been, or as classy either.
Hawaiian soap opera.
- mark.waltz
- Jul 9, 2024
- Permalink
DIAMOND HEAD (Guy Green, 1963) **1/2
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, glossy soap operas were among Hollywood's most popular offerings before such melodramatic stuff became standard TV fare, a status which holds up to this day. These are hardly my kind of genre picture which, perhaps, explains why I've yet to sit through efforts even as acclaimed as PEYTON PLACE (1957)!
Incidentally, given the title's similarity to another Charlton Heston vehicle (which actually preceded this viewing) namely the Western ARROWHEAD (1953) it's no wonder that this isn't a reference to anything in particular, and certainly doesn't come up at all in the script! Anyway, while the film doesn't have much of a reputation especially since it came at the height of Heston's epic phase I found it surprisingly tolerable (apart from some impossibly corny dance routines from the locals: the narrative is set in Hawaii, to which the star would return for the aptly-named THE HAWAIIANS [1970], which I hopefully also intend to check out in time for this ongoing Heston marathon).
Interestingly, good ol' Chuck is perhaps at his most unsympathetic here playing someone who can only be described as selfish, pig-headed and a hypocrite! Besides, given the actor's controversial latter-day political activity (and which seems to have received undue attention at the time of his passing), it's worth noting that his character in the film is persuaded to run for a place in the Senate because of his influence in the community but the eventual campaign is botched due to personal scandals (having forbidden his kid sister Yvette Mimieux to marry local boy James Darren, is implicated in the latter's violent death, and himself impregnates Hawaiian France Nuyen!).
The cast features a number of current 'stars', whose allure would basically vanish by the end of the decade: apart from the afore-mentioned Mimieux, Darren (best-remembered for the blockbuster THE GUNS OF NAVARONE [1961], he would go on to play the bewildered protagonist in Jess Franco's erotic/cerebral masterpiece VENUS IN FURS [1968]) and Nuyen (she was often paired with Hollywood leading men in such Asian-set romantic dramas), there are George Chakiris (as Darren's half-brother, who also gets in Heston's hair by falling for Mimieux himself) and Elizabeth Allen (appearing here as the glamorous sister of Heston's late wife, and naturally secretly harboring emotions for him, she would later graduate to leading lady for another Hawaiian flick the John Ford/John Wayne comic romp DONOVAN'S REEF [1963]). An important supporting role, however, is that of veteran Aline MacMahon as the typically indomitable mother figure (of Chakiris and Darren's characters).
If handled properly, such histrionic stuff can be reasonably entertaining (especially given their predilection for confrontation scenes): this one's well enough done under the circumstances (with Darren's untimely demise being handled in a particularly inventive manner) but, for good measure, includes a Freudian dream sequence towards the end! Guy Green was a Brit who, after a career as a cinematographer (winning an Oscar for David Lean's classic adaptation of GREAT EXPECTATIONS [1946]), graduated to directing: he seemed to specialize in just this type of slick 'entertainment' one of these, LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA (1962; also with Mimieux), is being shown on Cable TV for the nth time this very week-end and which I intend to record though his work could also go from Oscar-worthy 'message pictures' such as THE MARK (1961) and A PATCH OF BLUE (1965), perhaps his most popular effort but which I've yet to watch (I do own a recording of it, though), to the notorious gimmicky-yet-indecipherable puzzle THE MAGUS (1968)
Incidentally, given the title's similarity to another Charlton Heston vehicle (which actually preceded this viewing) namely the Western ARROWHEAD (1953) it's no wonder that this isn't a reference to anything in particular, and certainly doesn't come up at all in the script! Anyway, while the film doesn't have much of a reputation especially since it came at the height of Heston's epic phase I found it surprisingly tolerable (apart from some impossibly corny dance routines from the locals: the narrative is set in Hawaii, to which the star would return for the aptly-named THE HAWAIIANS [1970], which I hopefully also intend to check out in time for this ongoing Heston marathon).
Interestingly, good ol' Chuck is perhaps at his most unsympathetic here playing someone who can only be described as selfish, pig-headed and a hypocrite! Besides, given the actor's controversial latter-day political activity (and which seems to have received undue attention at the time of his passing), it's worth noting that his character in the film is persuaded to run for a place in the Senate because of his influence in the community but the eventual campaign is botched due to personal scandals (having forbidden his kid sister Yvette Mimieux to marry local boy James Darren, is implicated in the latter's violent death, and himself impregnates Hawaiian France Nuyen!).
The cast features a number of current 'stars', whose allure would basically vanish by the end of the decade: apart from the afore-mentioned Mimieux, Darren (best-remembered for the blockbuster THE GUNS OF NAVARONE [1961], he would go on to play the bewildered protagonist in Jess Franco's erotic/cerebral masterpiece VENUS IN FURS [1968]) and Nuyen (she was often paired with Hollywood leading men in such Asian-set romantic dramas), there are George Chakiris (as Darren's half-brother, who also gets in Heston's hair by falling for Mimieux himself) and Elizabeth Allen (appearing here as the glamorous sister of Heston's late wife, and naturally secretly harboring emotions for him, she would later graduate to leading lady for another Hawaiian flick the John Ford/John Wayne comic romp DONOVAN'S REEF [1963]). An important supporting role, however, is that of veteran Aline MacMahon as the typically indomitable mother figure (of Chakiris and Darren's characters).
If handled properly, such histrionic stuff can be reasonably entertaining (especially given their predilection for confrontation scenes): this one's well enough done under the circumstances (with Darren's untimely demise being handled in a particularly inventive manner) but, for good measure, includes a Freudian dream sequence towards the end! Guy Green was a Brit who, after a career as a cinematographer (winning an Oscar for David Lean's classic adaptation of GREAT EXPECTATIONS [1946]), graduated to directing: he seemed to specialize in just this type of slick 'entertainment' one of these, LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA (1962; also with Mimieux), is being shown on Cable TV for the nth time this very week-end and which I intend to record though his work could also go from Oscar-worthy 'message pictures' such as THE MARK (1961) and A PATCH OF BLUE (1965), perhaps his most popular effort but which I've yet to watch (I do own a recording of it, though), to the notorious gimmicky-yet-indecipherable puzzle THE MAGUS (1968)
- Bunuel1976
- Apr 15, 2008
- Permalink
diamond head
Pretty good performance from Heston in the lead role. Amazing how credible he is as a hypocritical racist, huh? Art imitating life? Maybe, except that at no point does this sometimes entertaining, more often dull Hawaiian "Dynasty" flic resemble art, either with a capital or small A. What we mostly have in Marguerite Roberts' uncharacteristically clunky script are repetitive, talky scenes of various pairs of siblings dealing with discrimination in paradise. And while the brother/sister or bro/bro structure is interesting, kind of like "Written On The Wind" cubed, one can only watch this too long, too slow Guy Green film and mournfully think of what Sirk or Minnelli would have done with it. And undermining the entire, well meaning, racial tolerance message of the thing is the casting of Caucasians in the lead Hawaiian roles, none more ridiculously than Aline MacMahon who looks like a Russian babushka with a sun tan. Give it a C plus.
PS...The reverse of Heston's good acting is Yvette Mimieux, especially in her drunken scenes. If you would know how good a thesp is, watch how they handle inebriation.
PS...The reverse of Heston's good acting is Yvette Mimieux, especially in her drunken scenes. If you would know how good a thesp is, watch how they handle inebriation.
Cubic Zirconia Head?
- JasparLamarCrabb
- Aug 9, 2013
- Permalink
Hawaiian soap opera
Watchable soap opera with stunning widescreen location photography of Kauai and early 60s Waikiki Beach. Charlton Heston, in a commanding performance, plays a bigoted plantation owner who refuses to let his sister, Yvette Mimieux, marry a local Hawaiian boy. His racist hypocrisy is called out when it is revealed he is having an affair with a local Asian woman. George Chakiris and James Darren play Hawaiian brothers in love triangle, vying for the love of Yvette, a headstrong alcoholic dingbat. That said, Yvette is so beautifu and sexy in this movie. I like how movie captures the look and feel of living in late 1950s rural Hawaii, and the depiction of Western ranch life, Also startling, is the dark, creepy vibe of the subtext of Heston's nearly incestous attraction to his sister,
- Towel Dude
- Oct 21, 2023
- Permalink
Pineapples and Problems on the Islands for Chuck
The title sounds like some James Bond-type adventure but it's typical melodrama circa 1959 in Hawaii (Heston would return to the locale in an earlier century in "The Hawaiians" in '70). Heston's character hearkens back to his rich landowner of "The Naked Jungle"(54), so it's as if the same character is a decade older. The theme of race relations (white vs. brown here) is played over the plot in a ham-handed manner, though a couple of characters get to voice an almost-profound observation regarding no 'pure-bred' people existing in some future generation. Heston's character, though predictably arrogant & stubborn, starts out as a fairly liberal easygoing chap for a powerful rich white man of the time but quickly learns he can't apply those nice attitudes when it hits close to home: his sister (Mimieux) plans to marry a Hawaiian (Darren) and Heston won't have it.
There follows a hint of incestuous undertones and, at some point, it almost looks like Heston plans to marry his sister himself to keep things 'all in the family' - an obsession he reveals as the story progresses. But this is over 40 years ago and nothing goes beyond just some cheap suggestion and titillating the dirty minds of some audience members. By the end, we realize it's the often-used saying of 'money can't buy happiness' which prevails over the sometimes maudlin scenery-chewing. Speaking of scenery, though, the landscapes of Hawaii are very nice here, especially on a widescreen DVD version. And Heston shows why he's a bigger star than the rest of the cast, but the story itself is pretty much forgettable and uninspired.
There follows a hint of incestuous undertones and, at some point, it almost looks like Heston plans to marry his sister himself to keep things 'all in the family' - an obsession he reveals as the story progresses. But this is over 40 years ago and nothing goes beyond just some cheap suggestion and titillating the dirty minds of some audience members. By the end, we realize it's the often-used saying of 'money can't buy happiness' which prevails over the sometimes maudlin scenery-chewing. Speaking of scenery, though, the landscapes of Hawaii are very nice here, especially on a widescreen DVD version. And Heston shows why he's a bigger star than the rest of the cast, but the story itself is pretty much forgettable and uninspired.
- Bogmeister
- May 15, 2006
- Permalink
Yvette Mimieux in Hawaii
Columbia Pictures retained the services of expert director Guy Green who had directed a beautiful movie at MGM Light In The Piazza and cast the leading lady of that film Yvette Mimieux on a loan out from her studio MGM as the above the title star of Diamond Head. Co starring in this romantic film set in Hawaii is rugged Charlton Heston and George Chakiris -who won an Oscar for West Side Story -as the romantic interest for Ms. Mimieux. Not sure what is more beautiful the scenery of Hawaii or Yvette Mimieux. Columbia also cast James Darren a Columbia pictures contract star in the film as well. I enjoyed this escapist and beautifully filmed movie. Btw Ms. Mimieux would return to MGM for a few more movies including her hit Joy In The Morning co starring with Richard Chamberlain and then retired.
"Giant" on the isles
A good movie (may contain spoilers)
- royalgypsy
- Aug 23, 2006
- Permalink