Novarro is a singing Polynesian storekeeper in this part-talkie romance which thrilled audiences who were itching to see the star's bare chest. He falls for Janis, an island girl who is taken away by the lecherous Crisp. When Crisp tries to force her into marriage, Novarro defends her
and hauls her off to his mountain home. Crisp steals her back once again, but the finale has Novarro and Janis in each other's arms. Novarro not only wowed them with his physique but also with his melodious delivery of "Pagan Love Song" (Arthur Freed, Nacio Herb Brown). Novarro's surprising
success in singing that song led to a musical being chosen for his talkie debut, DEVIL MAY CARE...
Released:
1929
Rated:
NR
Length:
83 mins