Pretty lavish looking Republic musical programmer has some amusing moments, but it doesn't come from leading lady Simone Simon who lacks real star appeal, even for a second string movie studio. She lucked out for the most part because of the leading men she was paired with, but this entry opposite Dennis O'Keefe lacks spark. Simone just comes off as too impish and testy, temperamental and childish, with an accent that grates on the nerves during her emotional scenes. She's a French girl working in Tahiti who ends up traveling with O'Keefes band and while an adequate singer, isn't what I would describe as having the talents to become a singing sensation. It got to the point where I looked forward to the times she was off screen and getting some raspy comedy from the always sardonic Lionel Stander. Efforts to make this topical by bringing the war in through naval officer Michael Whelan as part of the plot line seem to come out of desperation.

Tahiti Honey is a modestly entertaining and typical Republic musical with some tired shtick and a slightly irritating plot line BUT - Thanks to the beautiful face and singing voice of Simone Simon and the always deft comedic timing of Dennis O'Keefe it is all pleasantly watchable. Simon pretends to have an injured boyfriend named Johnny in the American military and she tags along with the members of a swing band (The Tahitian Bombshells, The Russian Bombshells etc.) led by Dennis O'Keefe who begrudgingly aids in the deception. Though he plays gruff, O'Keefe is falling for Suzy (Simon) and who in their right minds wouldn't? Ridiculous plot contrivance arrives when Tim Whelan (remember Shirley Temple's Dad in Poor Little Rich Girl?) shows up out of nowhere and he is (!) an injured American flyer named Johnny who swears he saw Simon's face (though he never met her before) before being injured and temporarily blinded. Wow! What really is memorable in this short film is the very fun music, especially the excellent title song (which you will never get out of your head),another great ballad called You Could Hear a Pin Drop and the amusing novelty numbers. Not for everybody but if you like attractive escapist hokum then "Take Tahiti Honey"!