How many clichés can you pack into one movie? Paramount answered the question with "Waikiki Wedding." You've got lithe dancing natives (a few of whom actually look like they're from the islands,) miles of leis, a mysterious black pearl, a volcano that's about to blow, a contest to name Miss Pineapple and even Anthony Quinn (yep, that Anthony Quinn) as a local roustabout. All that's missing are the nuptials of the title. Bing Crosby saunters through the stereotypes as an idea man for a fruit company who spends most of his time lolling on his sailboat, dreaming up promotion stunts and singing island refrains. Toss in a pair of walking clichés -- Martha Raye and Bob Burns -- and appreciate that this was what Crosby had to go through before the studio recognized his potential.
Review of Waikiki Wedding
