The awesome, curmudgeon-ly, cigar smokin', slow talking' Ned Sparks is "Strings"... a musician on a cruise ship to Hawaii. He comes across two munchkin stowaways, and helps them hide out. Bobby Breen is "Billy", who sings a couple songs in the film... but something doesn't sound quite right... the voice doesn't really match as he's singing, but if it's really him, maybe they are just playing a recording of him singing, as he lip-synchs to himself? anyway... the captain of the ship catches on, and puts him to work singing for his ticket. Billy (and Pua) escape to Hawaii, and meet up with Hina (Mamo Clark), who takes them in. Not much of a plot, really, and the sound and picture quality is terrible, but this is such an obscure film, I guess we're just lucky it's still around in any condition. and available on tcm.com! the editing is choppy and horrible. Interesting note -- on IMDb, the production for this film is listed as ""Bobby Breen Productions" .... which produced films 1936 - 1939. did they film this just for him to showcase his singing? looks that way. Ned Sparks in a sarong... looks like Hilo Hattie. Director Ed Cline had started out acting in the silent films, but quickly moved into directing, and into the talkies. It's a silly little story, but still a fun, south sea adventure, as long as you don't take it too seriously. Hawaii must have been just beautiful before it became tourist central.
Review of Hawaii Calls
