MovieChat Forums > Waikiki Wedding (1937) Discussion > Was Waikiki Wedding filmed in Hawaii?

Was Waikiki Wedding filmed in Hawaii?


Was any part of Waikiki Wedding filmed in Hawaii in 1937?

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According to sources, the backdrop was Hawaii, but the actors never stepped foot on the island during filming. After watching this again for the first time in a long while, one would think it was done on location in the Hawaiian isles. Quite impressive. Location filming was very rare at the time, and very costly, too.

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Check my review of Waikiki Wedding. Bing Crosby made a well publicized trip to
Hawaii at the time and Paramount put together this film to capitalize on said
trip.

Pitters Go Into Your Dance

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Parts of the movie were clearly filmed in Hawaii, certainly all background scenes. The Diamond Head views are obvious, as well as the unspecific palm trees and beaches.

It is very hard to discern Crosby himself in Hawaii as part of the movie itself. The travel via boat to a remote island, the island itself, and the volcano scenes could have been done anywhere.

It's easier to imagine Hawaiian people being imported to Hollywood for the movie. But even then the mix of genuine Hawaiians amid Hollywood types is very small. After all, Anthony Quinn plays a Hawaiian.

I think it's a lot of movie magic. But the movie itself is pleasant, and of a piece with a lot of movies about Hawaii in the 30's. Like HONOLULU with Eleanor Powell, Robert Young, and Burns & Allen. Or the Charlie Chan film.

None of these films should be regarded as documentaries or as Traveltalk episodes.

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