Waikiki Wedding

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Set against the lush, romantic backdrop of Hawaii, this film stars Bing Crosby as Tony Marvin, a talented publicity agent working for the Imperial Pineapple Company. From the very beginning, the movie captures the enchanting spirit of the islands, starting with a lively Hawaiian song that plays over the opening credits, setting a festive tone. In this opening scene, Tony is joined by his good friend Bob Burns and their pet pig, Walford, as they take part in a native wedding ceremony, effortlessly immersing viewers in the local culture.

At the corporate level, the story reveals itself in a boardroom scene where the company’s president, George Barbier, defends Tony from accusations of neglecting his responsibilities. It is established that Tony was the creative mind behind the popular “Pineapple Girl” contest, which promises the winner “three romantic weeks” in Hawaii. The contest is designed to generate publicity by having the winning girl share her impressions in the press, and Tony’s initiative is praised by the board, underscoring his role as a publicity genius.

The plot thickens when Georgia Smith, played by a cheerful Shirley Ross, who hails from Birch Falls and has won the contest, begins to feel the boredom setting in. She and her friend Myrtle, portrayed by Martha Raye, are eager to leave Hawaii and return home. This creates tension with J. P. Todhunter, the company’s president, who becomes furious at the possibility of negative publicity if the girls depart. To prevent this, Tony steps in with a romantic gesture, singing “Blue Hawaii” outside their bungalow, accompanied by a Hawaiian chorus, in a bid to keep the girls engaged. When Myrtle opens the door, Tony mistakenly believes she is Georgia, leading to a humorous and accidental mishap—he tips her into the water while trying to help her with her shoe.

Unaware of Tony’s true identity, Myrtle, soaked and annoyed, expresses her frustration about her situation and the entire mess she finds herself in. The story takes an intriguing turn during their attempt to leave Hawaii, when a mysterious stranger slips a black pearl into Georgia’s hand, urging her to get it past customs. This unexpected gift embroils the girls in a native legend: the pearl is sacred, and it must be returned to a shrine on a small island from where it was stolen. Failure to do so, according to local belief, will cause the volcano to erupt and destroy the village.

The group, including Tony and his friend Leif Erickson as Dr. Victor Quimby, embarks on a boat trip to return the pearl, guided by Kimo, a sympathetic native Anthony Quinn. Tony’s underlying plan to keep Georgia in Hawaii involves orchestrating the pearl theft and writing glowing press reports in her name. During the boat journey, Tony and Georgia sing “Blue Hawaii” again, deepening their connection amidst the beautiful scenery. Meanwhile, Georgia’s fiancé, Dr. Quimby, calls from the mainland, announcing his forthcoming arrival to bring her home, which adds a layer of romantic tension to the story.

Once they reach the island, Georgia offers to return the pearl, but the high priest, played by Prince Leilani, insists she wait for the arrival of a priestess. While they are detained, Shad Buggle, played by Bob Burns, and Myrtle experience comedic episodes, often involving Walford the pig creating chaos. Tony serenades a native girl with “Sweet Leilani,” further emphasizing the island’s charm.

The arrival of the high priest leads to dramatic twists: the pearl is revealed to be a fake, and Georgia is arrested by the native authorities. Tony, determined to protect her, orchestrates a ruse by making it appear that the volcano’s activity is natural, when in reality, the natives are faking the fire and smoke to cover their scheme. Tony manages a daring escape for Georgia, and the group scrambles back to the boat, singing “Sweet Is the Word for You” as they flee.

Back at the hotel, Georgia discovers her fiancé Quimby and her Uncle Herman, played by Granville Bates, waiting for her. They explain that she has been tricked and that she was, in fact, involved in a staged adventure. Meanwhile, Tony, feeling remorseful about his deception, contacts J. P. to halt the press coverage he had arranged. He calls on Georgia to confess his feelings, promising they will marry. However, Georgia, upset by the deception, declares she will return home with Quimby and her uncle.

The situation takes a comedic turn when Quimby is tricked by Shad into a police involvement, resulting in his arrest for assault. Shad’s antics lead to Walford the pig’s comical disguise as a dog, which helps Myrtle pay the fine and secure Shad’s release. As Tony tries to reconcile with Georgia, a surprise visitor—a character posing as Tony’s mother—visits her on the ship and persuades her that marrying Tony is the right choice.

In the end, with the island adventure behind them, the two reunite. As they prepare to leave Hawaii, the lively chorus resumes with performances of “Blue Hawaii” and “In a Little Hula Heaven,” leaving viewers with a sense of fun, romance, and the enduring allure of the tropical paradise.

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Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:16