Hula
"She dances the hula of love!"
Plot
Hula Calhoun, the free-spirited daughter of a wealthy Hawaiian pineapple plantation owner, falls desperately in love with Anthony Haldane, a sophisticated English engineer who arrives to build a dam on her father's property. Despite learning that Haldane is married, Hula pursues him relentlessly, using her natural charm and the exotic allure of the islands to break down his resistance. When Haldane's wife Margaret arrives from England, Hala employs increasingly bold tactics, including staging a dangerous swimming accident and performing the seductive hula dance, to win his affection. The film culminates in a dramatic confrontation where Haldane must choose between his respectable English life and the passionate freedom Hula represents, ultimately leading to a resolution that tests the boundaries of love, duty, and cultural differences.
About the Production
The film was shot primarily on Santa Catalina Island to stand in for Hawaii, as location shooting in Hawaii was prohibitively expensive in 1927. Clara Bow performed her own hula dances after extensive training, though some scenes used body doubles for more complex choreography. The production faced challenges with the tropical setting, including dealing with marine life during water scenes and maintaining period-appropriate costumes in the heat.
Historical Background
The film was produced during the peak of the Roaring Twenties, a period of unprecedented social change and sexual liberation in America. 1927 was a pivotal year in cinema history, marking the transition from silent films to 'talkies' with the release of 'The Jazz Singer'. Hawaii, then a U.S. territory, was romanticized in American popular culture as an exotic paradise, representing both escape and fantasy for mainland audiences. The film's themes of a modern, sexually assertive woman pursuing her desires reflected the emergence of the 'New Woman' archetype in 1920s culture. The movie was released just months before the stock market crash of 1929 that would end the Jazz Age, capturing the carefree spirit of its era while foreshadowing the changing moral codes that would come with the Hays Code enforcement in the 1930s.
Why This Film Matters
'Hula' represents an important milestone in Clara Bow's career and in the evolution of the Hollywood sex symbol. The film helped establish Bow as the definitive 'flapper' actress of her generation, embodying the era's changing attitudes toward female sexuality and independence. Its portrayal of Hawaii influenced how American cinema would depict tropical locales for decades, creating templates for the exotic romance genre. The movie also contributed to the popularization of Hawaiian culture in mainland America, sparking interest in Hawaiian music, dance, and tourism. As a late silent film, it demonstrates the sophisticated visual storytelling techniques that had been developed by the end of the silent era, just before the industry's transition to sound.
Making Of
The production of 'Hula' was part of Paramount's strategy to capitalize on Clara Bow's exploding popularity following her success in 'It'. Director Victor Fleming, known for his ability to handle action and romance, was chosen to guide Bow through what was essentially a star vehicle designed to showcase her magnetic screen presence and sex appeal. The studio invested significantly in creating an authentic Hawaiian atmosphere without the expense of actual location shooting, constructing elaborate sets and importing tropical plants to Santa Catalina Island. Bow, who had a reputation for being difficult on set, was reportedly enthusiastic about the role and worked closely with choreographers to learn the hula dances that would become central to the film's most memorable scenes. The production team faced unique challenges in filming the water sequences, requiring early underwater photography techniques and careful coordination with safety divers.
Visual Style
The cinematography, handled by James Wong Howe and Charles Lang, utilized the natural beauty of the coastal California locations to create an exotic atmosphere. The film featured innovative underwater photography for its time, particularly in the scenes where Hula swims to attract Haldane's attention. The camera work emphasized Bow's expressive face and dynamic movement, especially during the dance sequences. The tropical lighting and careful composition of scenes helped create the illusion of a Hawaiian paradise despite being filmed in California. The visual style combined the glamour of Hollywood studio production with location-style authenticity.
Innovations
The film featured pioneering underwater photography techniques for its time, using specialized camera housing to capture scenes beneath the water's surface. The production also employed innovative methods for creating tropical environments on location, including the transportation and maintenance of exotic plants. The hula dance sequences required careful choreography and camera coordination to capture the movements effectively within the constraints of 1920s filming equipment. The film's special effects, particularly in the swimming accident sequence, were considered sophisticated for the period.
Music
As a silent film, 'Hula' was originally presented with musical accompaniment provided by theater orchestras or organists. The score would have typically included popular songs of the era, Hawaiian-themed music, and classical pieces appropriate to the romantic and dramatic moments. While no original score survives, contemporary orchestras have reconstructed appropriate musical accompaniments for modern screenings. The film's transition to sound was never completed, as it was released during the brief period when silent films were still being produced alongside early talkies.
Famous Quotes
"I'm Hula Calhoun, and I get what I want!"
"You can't resist the islands, and you can't resist me!"
"In Hawaii, we don't wait for what we want - we dance for it!"
Memorable Scenes
- Clara Bow's seductive hula dance on the beach at sunset, performed to captivate Clive Brook's character
- The dramatic swimming sequence where Hula pretends to be in distress to attract Haldane's attention
- The confrontation scene between Hula and Haldane's wife Margaret, representing the clash between free-spirited passion and conventional marriage
Did You Know?
- This was one of Clara Bow's first major roles after her breakthrough in 'It' (1927), cementing her status as Hollywood's 'It Girl'
- The film's title refers both to the Hawaiian dance and to the main character's name, Hula Calhoun
- Victor Fleming, who later directed 'The Wizard of Oz' and 'Gone with the Wind', was relatively early in his directorial career when he made this film
- The pineapple plantation featured in the film was a set construction, as actual Hawaiian locations were not used for principal photography
- Clara Bow's hula costumes were considered quite daring for 1927, showing more of her body than was typical in mainstream films of the era
- The film was one of the first to portray Hawaii as an exotic romantic destination in American cinema
- Arlette Marchal, who played the wronged wife, was a French actress who had a brief Hollywood career during the silent era
- The movie's success led to a wave of tropical-themed romances in late 1920s Hollywood
- Clive Brook's character represented the stiff-upper-lip English gentleman, a popular archetype in American films of the period
- The film's underwater sequences were considered technically advanced for their time
What Critics Said
Contemporary critics praised Clara Bow's performance and magnetic screen presence, with many reviews focusing on her natural charisma and the effectiveness of her hula dancing sequences. The film was generally well-received as entertainment, though some critics found the plot predictable. Modern film historians view 'Hula' as an important example of Bow's star power and the late silent era's approach to romantic dramas. Critics today note the film's role in establishing Bow's persona and its representation of 1920s attitudes toward sexuality and cultural exoticism, while also acknowledging its period stereotypes about Hawaiian culture.
What Audiences Thought
The film was popular with audiences and performed well at the box office, capitalizing on Clara Bow's immense popularity following her breakthrough in 'It'. Moviegoers were particularly drawn to Bow's energetic performance and the film's exotic Hawaiian setting. The hula dance sequences became talking points among audiences and were frequently mentioned in contemporary accounts of the film's appeal. The movie helped solidify Bow's status as one of the biggest box office draws of the late silent era, though its impact was somewhat overshadowed by the rapid transition to sound films that began later in 1927.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- The tropical romance genre established by earlier films like 'Bird of Paradise' (1932)
- The 'vamp' character archetype from silent cinema
- Contemporary flapper culture and the 'New Woman' movement
This Film Influenced
- Bird of Paradise (1932)
- Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)
- South Pacific (1958)
- Blue Hawaii (1961)
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Film Restoration
The film survives in complete form and has been preserved by major film archives. A restored version is available through various film preservation organizations and has been screened at classic film festivals. While not considered lost, some prints show signs of deterioration typical of films from this era. The movie has been released on DVD by specialty labels specializing in silent cinema.