The Pagan

Plot

Henry, the son of a white trader and a native woman in the South Pacific, inherits his father's business and land but prefers to live a simple, traditional life close to nature. He falls in love with Tito, a beautiful native girl who is being raised by Reverend Stephen Cable, a missionary who wants to convert her to Christianity while secretly desiring her for himself. Cable plots to keep Henry and Tito apart by convincing Tito that Henry's 'pagan' lifestyle is sinful and that she should embrace Christian civilization. When Henry proves his worth by saving Tito from a dangerous situation and demonstrating his moral character despite his rejection of organized religion, the couple must overcome Cable's manipulations and societal prejudice to be together.

Historical Background

'The Pagan' was released in 1929, a pivotal year in cinema history as the industry was rapidly transitioning from silent films to 'talkies.' The Wall Street Crash of 1929 occurred just weeks after the film's release, which would dramatically impact the film industry and the country. The film reflected Hollywood's fascination with exotic locations and 'primitive' cultures during the 1920s, while also embodying the era's paternalistic attitudes toward non-Western societies. The film's themes of cultural conflict and assimilation spoke to America's own anxieties about immigration and cultural diversity during a period of significant demographic change. The late 1920s also saw increased scrutiny of Hollywood's moral content, which made the film's relatively frank treatment of sexuality and interracial attraction somewhat daring for its time.

Making Of

The production was ambitious for its time, with MGM investing heavily in location shooting in Tahiti. The cast and crew faced numerous challenges including tropical diseases, unpredictable weather, and difficulties transporting equipment to remote locations. Novarro, who was one of MGM's biggest stars, was initially hesitant about the extensive location work but became enthusiastic about the authenticity it would bring to the film. The film was made during the critical transition period when Hollywood was converting to sound, so while it was essentially a silent film with intertitles, MGM added a synchronized musical score and sound effects to make it more competitive with new talking pictures. Director W.S. Van Dyke, known for his efficiency, managed to complete the complex production on schedule and within budget, though the studio was concerned about the film's commercial prospects given the public's growing preference for sound films.

Visual Style

The film's cinematography, handled by Clyde De Vinna, was one of its strongest assets, particularly the location footage shot in Tahiti. De Vinna, who had extensive experience with location photography, captured the lush tropical landscapes and ocean vistas with remarkable clarity and beauty. The film made effective use of natural lighting in the exterior scenes, creating a sense of authenticity that studio-bound films of the era often lacked. The cinematography employed a mix of wide shots to establish the exotic setting and medium close-ups to capture the emotional drama between characters. The camera work was relatively straightforward by late silent film standards, avoiding the more experimental techniques that some directors were employing by 1929. The synchronized score allowed for more fluid editing without the need to accommodate intertitles as frequently as in earlier silent films.

Innovations

While not groundbreaking in technical terms, 'The Pagan' demonstrated MGM's proficiency with synchronized sound technology during the transitional period. The film's use of location shooting in Tahiti was technically ambitious for 1929, requiring the transportation of heavy camera equipment to remote tropical locations. The synchronization of music and sound effects with the film was accomplished using the Movietone system, which was one of the competing sound technologies of the era alongside Vitaphone. The production team had to overcome numerous technical challenges related to filming in tropical conditions, including protecting the equipment from humidity and salt air. The film's preservation of location footage from 1920s Tahiti also represents an important technical and historical achievement, documenting locations that have since changed dramatically.

Music

'The Pagan' featured a synchronized musical score and sound effects but no spoken dialogue, making it a hybrid between traditional silent films and full talkies. The score was composed by William Axt, one of MGM's house composers, who incorporated elements of Pacific Island music alongside traditional orchestral arrangements to enhance the film's exotic atmosphere. The synchronization technology used was the Movietone system, which allowed the musical accompaniment and sound effects to be recorded on phonograph records that played in sync with the film projector. The soundtrack included ambient sounds like ocean waves, tropical birds, and native music to create an immersive experience. The musical themes varied between 'civilized' European-style music for the missionary characters and more percussive, rhythmic motifs for the native characters and scenes, reflecting the film's cultural dichotomy.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening scenes establishing Henry's connection to nature and his simple lifestyle
• Henry and Tito's first meeting on the beach
• The confrontation between Henry and Reverend Cable
• The storm sequence that tests Henry's character
• The final reconciliation scene between Henry and Tito

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised the film's beautiful location photography and Novarro's performance, though some found the story predictable. The New York Times noted that 'the picture is handsome to look at' but questioned whether audiences would still be interested in silent films with the growing popularity of talkies. Variety appreciated the authenticity brought by the Tahiti locations but found the narrative somewhat conventional. Modern critics view the film as an interesting artifact of the late silent period, with particular attention to its representation of Pacific Island cultures and its place in Novarro's filmography. The film is generally regarded as a competent but not exceptional example of late silent cinema, notable primarily for its production values and historical context rather than its artistic innovation.

What Audiences Thought

'The Pagan' achieved moderate success at the box office, though it was overshadowed by the growing popularity of sound films. Audiences responded positively to Novarro's charismatic performance and the film's exotic settings, but the timing of its release during the transition to talkies limited its commercial potential. The film's relatively brief theatrical run reflected the rapid decline in audience interest in silent films by late 1929. Despite these challenges, the film developed a following among Novarro's fans and those who appreciated the visual beauty of silent cinema. Modern audiences encountering the film often appreciate its historical value and the authenticity of its location photography, while recognizing its dated cultural attitudes and narrative conventions.

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