Naked Paradise (sometimes credited as Thunder Over Hawaii) is a 1957 drama film directed by Roger Corman. It stars Richard Denning and Beverly Garland.

Corman later asked Charles B. Griffith, who worked on the script, to reuse his screenplay for Atlas (1960), Beast from Haunted Cave (1960), and Creature from the Haunted Sea (1961).

Plot Duke Bradley's boat is hired to sail a group to the Hawaiian Islands. His passengers include Zac Cotton, alcoholic girlfriend Max McKenzie, and a pair of thugs, Mitch and Stony, who following a lūʻau, without Duke's knowledge, rob a plantation of its payroll.

The gang intends to continue on to another island in the South Pacific, but tempers flare after Max is struck by Zac, which causes Duke to quit, demanding payment. As he is about to set sail, Max asks to go with him, determined to change her life. A hurricane hits, however, forcing Duke to turn back. On arrival, he is beaten unconscious by Mitch and Stony, while the woman is roughed up by Zac.

Zac intends to make off with Duke's schooner and takes a local girl, Lanai, as a hostage, shooting Stony, who objects to this. A fight ensues in which Duke triumphs after Zac is killed by the boat's propeller. Duke and Max sail away.

Cast Beverly Garland as Max Richard Denning as Duke Dick Miller as Mitch Jonathan Haze as Stony Leslie Bradley as Zac Lisa Montell as Lanai

Production

In early July 1956, Beverly Garland was announced as starring in Naked Paradise by R. Wright Campbell and directed by Roger Corman. Garland had made several films for Corman, including Not of This Earth, It Conquered the World, and Gunslinger.Drama: 'Beyond Pass' Proposed as Unique Western; Big Brass Role for Pidgeon Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 2 July 1956: B9. A few days later, John Ireland, who had just made Gunslinger for Corman under a two-picture deal, was announced to be Garland's costar. Filming was to begin on September 12.FERRER TO DIRECT AND STAR IN FILM: New York Times 5 July 1956: 18.

An August announcement had Lisa Montell, who had been in Shark Reef to be starring.Drama: John Lund Heads Cast of 'Affair in Reno'; Film of Escadrille Scheduled Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 4 Aug 1956: B7. Ireland was still attached at this stage.Ann Blyth Promoted to Play Helen Morgan Hopper, Hedda. Los Angeles Times 18 Aug 1956: B8. He was soon replaced by Richard Denning.

Robert Wright Campbell's script was rewritten by Charles B. Griffith.Aaron W. Graham, 'Little Shop of Genres: An interview with Charles B. Griffith', Senses of Cinema, 15 April, 2005 accessed 25 June 2012

Filming started 2 September 1956. The film was shot in two weeks on location in Hawaii, back-to-back with She Gods of Shark Reef.

Samuel Arkoff of AIP has a small role in the movie.Roger Corman on Naked Paradise at Trailers From Hell. Arkoff later recalled: We went over to Hawaii — me, my two kids and my wife, Jim Nicholson with his wife and three kids. Roger told me to come over to where he was shooting, and he gave me this one line to read to Richard Denning: "It's been a good harvest, and the money is in the safe." Now that's a key line (laughs)! That was my first and last role; I've never been asked back into any of 'em since! The Cocoa Palms Hotel received an on screen credit in exchange for housing the films stars at a reduced rate.Black (1996) The Films of Roger Corman, Batsford

Garland recalled, "We filmed on the island of Kauai, stayed at the Coca Palms Hotel, and had great accommodations. Roger really did this one up the right way. I don't know if it was because we were at this beautiful location and Roger simply felt like spending more, but it was one of the best locations ever, especially for a Roger Corman film." However, it was the last film Garland made for the director.

Release The film was initially released as a double feature with Flesh and the SpurLearnAboutMoviePosters.com – Pressbook – ComboNaked ParadiseFlesh and the Spur It was re-released in 1960 under the title Thunder over Hawaii.p.89 McGee, Mark Thomas Fast and Furious: The Story of American International Pictures McFarland 1984

Reception Variety found the film colorful, with interesting action and a well-knit story.

Monthly Film Bulletin found the picture beautifully shot, but average in other facets.Frank, The Films of Roger Corman 1966NAKED PARADISE Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 24, Iss. 276, (Jan 1, 1957): 74.

The Los Angeles Times said, "some beautiful Hawaiian scenery, an excellent performance by Richard Denning... and a very believable characterization by Beverly Garland make the picture quite tolerable."Variety of Violence Found in Double Bill G M W. Los Angeles Times 22 Mar 1957: A8.

References

External links

Review of film at Variety