CAST: Monte Blue (Dr Matthew Lloyd), Raquel Torres (Faraway), Robert Anderson (Sebastian), Renee Bush (Lucy), Bobby Andrews.The original director, ROBERT FLAHERTY, was replaced a third of the way through shooting by W. S. VAN DYKE when MGM decided to use professional actors to supplement the native cast. Photographed on locations in the Marquesas Islands by Clyde De Vinna, George Nogle and Bob Roberts. Film editor: Ben Lewis. Screenplay: Jack Cunningham. Dialogue and titles: John Colton. Adapted by Ray Doyle from the 1919 novel by Frederick O'Brien. Song "Flower of Love" by William Axt, David Mendoza, Dave Dreyer and Herman Ruby. Sound recording: Douglas Shearer. Executive producer: William Randolph Hearst. Producer: Hunt Stromberg.Copyright 17 November 1928 by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corp. A Cosmopolitan Production. New York opening at the Astor, 31 July 1928. U.S. release: 10 November 1928. Sydney opening at the Prince Edward, 7 March 1929 (ran 8 weeks). 9 reels. 7,968 feet. 88½ minutes.SYNOPSIS: A doctor tries to save natives from an evil trader.NOTES: Academy Award, Cinematography, Clyde De Vinna only (defeating The Divine Lady, Four Devils, In Old Arizona, Our Dancing Daughters and Street Angel).MGM's first sound film, with a synchronized music score, sound effects and occasional dialogue.COMMENT: In many ways, this film recalls "Tabu" (1931) on which Flaherty quarreled with F.W. Murnau. Unfortunately, despite its award-winning photography (and its fascinating title), "White Shadows in the South Seas" is definitely the lesser movie.

This is the tale of a doctor who is disgusted at the greed of the White sailors who plunder and exploit the Polynesian natives. Risking their lives to retrieve huge pearls, the locals are given mere trinkets. And, when a few die, the Whites take no heed. But, when the doctor has had enough and verbally attacks these "businessmen", his is tied to the wheel of a ship full of plague victims and cast adrift. Fortunately, he finds an unspoiled island full of sweet villagers. Will the wicked White men come and destroy this paradise, too, or will the doctor find the peace he so craves? The film has amazingly good cinematography and it's nice to see that the crew went to Tahiti to film. Additionally, the film is innovative because it's MGM's first sound film, though like most of these early films, it is NOT all-sound, but uses some synchronized music and sound effects. At the time, audiences were spellbound--today it just seems like a nice silent film with some added sound and nothing more. The story is very good and compelling, though at times a bit too earnest and preachy about those "White Devils" and their greed.I am a huge fan of F.W. Murnau, the great German director. While he did some wonderful and very advanced films (such as NOSFERATU, FAUST and THE LAST LAUGH), somehow the final film in his career (TABU, 1931) has also been accorded 'classic status'--even though it was a silent film made in 1931. In addition, you can't help but think that Murnau was copying WHITE SHADOWS IN THE SOUTH SEAS--as the films seem very similar to me. However, WHITE SHADOWS was an innovative film with synchronized sound and music. By 1931, sound was the standard in many nations and Murnau's making a silent seemed a bit out of date. If I had to watch just one of these films, I'd pick WHITE SHADOWS.

The very first "sound track" film from MGM..sound effects track added by Doug Shearer, who did the sound recording on about 90% of all the old black & whites. Caption cards are still used throughout the film for the dialogue. Was also actually filmed in Tahiti, which would have been pretty rare for those times. Monte Blue ( plays Doctor Lloyd ) and Robert Anderson (the trader) had been in silent films for years, but this was Raquel Torres' ("Fayaway") first role. In our story, when pearls are discovered in the waters of the south seas, the white men move in to take advantage. The natives are up against the caucasian traders, the critters of the sea, storms, and sickness when it comes to their shores. The story is quite simple, but the outdoor and underwater photography are the high points here. Even with a respectable restoration, different scenes appear in various colors, and the lighting and sound have become slightly spotty. Interesting scenes at the feast, where prior to cooking, the fish is carefully sewn up in leaves to keep it from burning. Where others have despaired over the "documentary" feel to the film, I felt that this was one of the strengths. (Although some of those costumes and dances DO look pretty hokey.) Lloyd lives with the natives, and must decide what his long term goal is, and how to reach it. Several scenes have been sped up, which may have been an effort by "someone" to move the plot along more quickly. Directed by WS Van Dyke, produced by Thalberg and Stromberg, all pretty big cheeses in the industry at the time.

Spreading from island to island, the WHITE SHADOWS IN THE SOUTH SEAS corrupt every culture they encounter.This unfortunately obscure film, produced by MGM right at the cusp when the Silent Era was giving way to Sound, is a fascinating look at the vanishing way of life to be found in the South Pacific Islands. Its beautiful, vivid photography justly won the Oscar for Best Cinematography.This 'Camera Record' was directed by W.S. Van Dyke, the Studio's on-location master. The film's prologue states "Produced and photographed on the natural locations and with the ancient native tribes of the Marquesas Islands in the South Seas." The footage depicting the pearl divers and the coconut tree climbers is particularly noteworthy.Monte Blue gives a very fine performance as a derelict doctor who finds himself acclaimed as a white god on an island of gentle, friendly natives. His despair at the arrival of brutish Caucasian traders in this idyllic paradise is riveting. Mexican actress Raquel Torres, in her film debut, is poignant as the island maiden who captures Blue's heart.