A shark hunter falls in love with the beautiful ruler of a tropical island. Superficially Universal's film is another entry in the cycle showcasing the limited acting but ample bodily talents of Maria Montez, supported by the equally statuesque Jon Hall. Neither of them have to do do much except look good in a series of exotic costumes, while Hall gets at least two opportunities to get his kit off and swim underwater, on the last occasion to rescue Orano (Sabu) who is at risk of drowning. The Technicolor sets are opulent - by R. A. Gausman and I. Webb - and director Arthur Lubin shows sufficient understanding of his audience's wants to allow the interaction to be interrupted for an exotic dance with plenty of fleshy bodies on display.<br/><br/>Yet despite its routine formula WHITE SAVAGE manages to make some significant political points. It asks us to reflect on Hall's behavior as a white settler in a native village, and to consider whether he learns the importance of racial integration, or whether he simply approaches life there on his own terms. Lubin does not offer any concrete answer, but contrasts Hall's generally amenable nature with arch-colonist Sam Miller (Thomas Gomez), who wants to possess the Princess (Montex) for himself and take all the spoils as well.<br/><br/>The lure of filthy lucre is compelling. The Princess's brother Tamara (Turhan Bey) has sacrificed his native integrity for gambling, and is so in debt to Miller that he cannot save himself. Caught in a racial limbo between capitalism and tradition, he cuts a pathetic figure with his open floral neck shirt, his generally woebegone manner and his tendency to drown his sorrows in tobacco and alcohol. In the end he is knifed to death: we might feel that this comes as something of a welcome release for a man who eagerly sought the false rewards of capitalism and suffered thereby. It is significant that the role should have been essayed by Turhan Bey, an Austrian-born Turkish actor who made a habit of playing racially and ethnically complicated parts at this time.<br/><br/>The film ends with a spectacular set-destruction, as the colonists finally overreach themselves and incur the wrath of the pagan god, proving beyond doubt the ineffectiveness of human interactions with the universal. Hall and Montez end up getting married and having a baby - the perfect example, it would seem, of a racially mixed marriage. Or perhaps not, as this is a Hollywood fantasy. Producer: George Waggner. Copyright 23 April 1943 by Universal Pictures Co., Inc. New York opening at the Rivoli: 23 April 1943. U.S. release: 23 April 1943. Australian release: 31 March 1944. 8 reels. 6,805 feet. 75 minutes. U.K. release title: WHITE CAPTIVE.<br/><br/>SYNOPSIS: Sam Miller, the unscrupulous operator of a trading post on Port Coral, seeks to gain possession of a gold-lined sacred pool, located on Temple Island, a small coral isle ruled over by Princess Tahia. Tahia's wayward brother Tamara is an inveterate gambler and thus an easy mark for Sam who plans to exploit this weakness. <br/><br/>COMMENT: Beautifully Technicolored escapist nonsense with Maria Montez fans in for a great time as the color camera and native costumes caress the features and figure of the star, who brings a sincerity and earnestness to her role that makes it almost believable. The only player who is anything like a match for her is Thomas Gomez whose transparent villainy makes an agreeable contrast, though Paul Guilfoyle as his frightened thug of a henchman and Sid Toler as a jack of all work detective have their moments too. Don Terry, who is confined to the background in most scenes, has his moment of glory and even Turhan Bey makes a much better fist of the wastrel brother than he does of his usual romantic roles. Sabu is a bit of a bore for those who don't find him a lovable scamp and Jon Hall is only mildly personable as the hero of this yarn. <br/><br/>Director Lubin has a great time moving his camera through the crowded colorful sets and the photography is a work of postcard art that will leave most viewers - including this one - enthralled. Its nonsensical Boys-Own-Paper/True Romance story is directed with style and flair, photographed and set with color and kitsch, acted by all with eagerness and in many cases gusto and verve. But it's hard to see the script with its jejune dialogue and all too conventional characters as the work of Richard Brooks.<br/><br/>OTHER VIEWS: This was Richard Brooks' first contribution to films, and indeed his only movie work during his initial Hollywood sojourn from 1940 till 1943, aside from an original story which he sold to Republic, My Best Gal, which was released in 1944 when he was in the Marines; and Cobra Woman.<br/><br/>With an earthquake for a climax and a fabled treasure pool as plot bait, White Savage is a highly diverting and entertaining serving of South Seas escapism, packed with incident. Montez is at her imperious best as an island queen, the extras obligingly perform their native "dance of the gloves" while the hero is forced to straddle a high wire over the lion pit and then dive off a cliff before an advancing volcano - and that's just his warm-up! - JHR writing as George Addison.
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