Simply A Masterpiece

Good concept, poorly executed.

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Hula (1927) re-united Clara Bow with director Victor Fleming, with whom she had worked so successfully in Mantrap (1926). Unlike that delightful comedy, however, Hula is little more than flippy fluff, and it certainly represents a remarkable change of pace from Clara's previous film, Wings. Nonetheless, Clara acts - or rather overacts - delightfully throughout and even manages to coax an engaging performance from Clive Brook. The plot is slight - sexy young extrovert Clara is smitten by dull, mature introvert Clive - and wins him away from his unloving wife. And it's all set in a lavish Hollywood rendition of a rich and lazy Hawaiian pineapple plantation. Victor Fleming handles both comedy and action well, but it's strictly a movie for Clara's fans. She gets the lion's share of Fleming's attention. (Sunrise Silents once provided a 9/10 DVD).

In Hawaii, "a land of swinging seas and swinging hips, where volcanoes are often active, and maidens always are," vivacious Clara Bow (as Hula Calhoun) grows into young womanhood. Ms. Bow is a "free spirit" who prefers the outdoors to her rancher family's stuffy, smoke-filled rooms. Bow's "coming of age" corresponds with the arrival of dashing Clive Brook (as Anthony Haldane); he comes to build a new irrigation dam on the Hawaiian island. Bow is smitten with Mr. Brook; but, he is strangely reluctant to reciprocate. After succumbing to Bow's kisses, Brook reveals the unfortunate truth - he's married.Victor Fleming directs Clara Bow. Of "Paramount" importance, obviously, is showing as much of Bow as possible; in this case, legs are the obsession. Things get off to a good start with a bee stinging Bow's upper thigh during the introductory nude nature dip. As the title and locale promise, Bow dons a grass skirt for some "Hula" dancing, too. There is an odd kissing scene, which has Bow kissing the blood off Brook's cheek, after he is injured saving her dog. In a way, it qualifies Bow as a "vamp". Bow is certainly charming; and, this otherwise silly offering must have been an audience pleaser.***** Hula (8/28/27) Victor Fleming ~ Clara Bow, Clive Brook, Arnold Kent

OK Clara Bow silent film from 1927, it's a spin-off of Rain, with Bow playing the half-Hawaiian wild daughter of the local pineapple king who falls in love with the staid English engineer--Clive Brook. Bow competes with the local widow (Arlette Marchal) for his attentions, but both women get a big surprise when his wife shows up (Patricia Dupont). The predatory wife is ready for a divorce until she discovers he might be on the verge of a fortune. Bow settles her hash fast.Bow has personality to spare and has a few great scenes: her opening nude bath, her hula in a grass skirt, and the dog rescue scene with Bow and Brook doing their own stunts.Note: the IMDb credit list is wrong. The film credits (from the DVD I have) list Patricia Dupont as playing Mrs. Haldane---not Margaret Truax as listed on IMDb.

Clara Bow (Hula Calhoun) is daughter of plantation owner Albert Gran (Bill Calhoun), who is mainly interested in playing cards and boozing with friends. She's interested in riding in the countryside until engineer Clive Brook (Anthony Haldane) shows up to build a dam. One of her father's friends Arlette Marchal (Mrs. Bane) then competes for his attentions. His wife Maude Truax (Margaret Haldane) shows up for the contrived finale.Lots of 'pre-code' elements like nude bathing.Wonderful location shooting in Hawaii.