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Cult Review
Senior Film Conservator
Look, if you hate silent movies where people wave their arms around to show they are sad, you will probably hate this. It is from 1913 or so, which means it is basically a fossil.
But if you like seeing what the world looked like before everything was covered in concrete, it is actually kind of cool. It feels like a moving postcard that someone found in a dusty attic. 🏝️
The story is written by Mabel Z. Carroll. It is not exactly a deep thinking kind of plot. It is just... well, a romance in Hawaii.
Eddie Shaw is the main guy. He has this very intense way of looking at the camera that makes me feel like I am in trouble. He does not really act with his face as much as he acts with his entire torso.
Then you have Bill Holoua. He feels way more natural than the others. When he is on screen, the movie feels a bit more real and less like a play being filmed in the sand.
One thing that really stuck with me was the water. In these old black and white films, the ocean does not look like water. It looks like heavy, shiny silver. 🌊
There is a scene where they are just sitting by the waves. It goes on for a long time. Like, a really long time. I think the camera man just forgot to stop cranking the handle because he liked the view.
It is not as dramatic as something like The Power of Evil. That movie tries to be all dark and heavy. This one just wants to show you some nice trees and a girl in a pretty dress.
The pacing is... well, it is a bit of a mess. Some scenes flash by so fast you can't tell who is who. Then other scenes, like a guy walking up a hill, take about three years to finish.
I noticed that the makeup on Esther Shaw is a bit much. Her eyes look like two dark burnt holes in the film. It is a bit spooky if you stare at it too long.
It reminded me a little of Hearts and Flowers, but with more sand in the shoes. Both movies have that weird, shaky energy where everyone is just so excited to be on camera.
If you have seen Strange Cargo, you know how these old island movies usually go. They always have this vibe of 'look at this strange place!' But *Hawaiian Romance* feels a bit softer. Less like an adventure and more like a nap.
John Moore is in this too. He does not have much to do, but he stands around very well. He has a very solid presence, like a piece of furniture that you actually like.
I think the movie gets better if you stop trying to follow the plot. The plot is basically just an excuse to show you the island. If you treat it like a 100-year-old travel vlog, it is much more fun.
Is it better than Fighting Bill? Probably not if you want action. But it is definitely prettier to look at.
There is a moment near the end where the sunlight hits the lens. It creates this big white smudge on the screen. Usually, that would be a mistake, but here it feels magical. Like the sun was too much for the camera to handle.
I don't think I would watch it twice. Once is enough to get the feeling of it. It is like eating a very small piece of very old candy. Interesting, but you don't need a whole bag of it.
It is funny how much people in 1913 liked to point at things. If something happens, a character has to point at it so we know to look. I started pointing at things in my living room while watching it. My cat was not impressed.
Anyway, if you find a copy of this, give it a look for ten minutes. You might find yourself drifting off into the waves. Just don't expect it to change your life or anything. It is just a quiet little ghost of a movie. 📽️
IMDb —
1918
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