SmugKitZine
Tied for the best movie I have ever seen
Lovesusti
The Worst Film Ever
Phonearl
Good start, but then it gets ruined
JohnHowardReid
Hula (1927) re-united Clara Bow with director Victor Fleming, with whom she had worked so successfully in Mantrap (1926). Unlike that delightful comedy, however, Hula is little more than flippy fluff, and it certainly represents a remarkable change of pace from Clara's previous film, Wings. Nonetheless, Clara acts - or rather overacts - delightfully throughout and even manages to coax an engaging performance from Clive Brook. The plot is slight - sexy young extrovert Clara is smitten by dull, mature introvert Clive - and wins him away from his unloving wife. And it's all set in a lavish Hollywood rendition of a rich and lazy Hawaiian pineapple plantation. Victor Fleming handles both comedy and action well, but it's strictly a movie for Clara's fans. She gets the lion's share of Fleming's attention. (Sunrise Silents once provided a 9/10 DVD).
wes-connors
In Hawaii, "a land of swinging seas and swinging hips, where volcanoes are often active, and maidens always are," vivacious Clara Bow (as Hula Calhoun) grows into young womanhood. Ms. Bow is a "free spirit" who prefers the outdoors to her rancher family's stuffy, smoke-filled rooms. Bow's "coming of age" corresponds with the arrival of dashing Clive Brook (as Anthony Haldane); he comes to build a new irrigation dam on the Hawaiian island. Bow is smitten with Mr. Brook; but, he is strangely reluctant to reciprocate. After succumbing to Bow's kisses, Brook reveals the unfortunate truth - he's married.Victor Fleming directs Clara Bow. Of "Paramount" importance, obviously, is showing as much of Bow as possible; in this case, legs are the obsession. Things get off to a good start with a bee stinging Bow's upper thigh during the introductory nude nature dip. As the title and locale promise, Bow dons a grass skirt for some "Hula" dancing, too. There is an odd kissing scene, which has Bow kissing the blood off Brook's cheek, after he is injured saving her dog. In a way, it qualifies Bow as a "vamp". Bow is certainly charming; and, this otherwise silly offering must have been an audience pleaser.***** Hula (8/28/27) Victor Fleming ~ Clara Bow, Clive Brook, Arnold Kent
drednm
OK Clara Bow silent film from 1927, it's a spin-off of Rain, with Bow playing the half-Hawaiian wild daughter of the local pineapple king who falls in love with the staid English engineer--Clive Brook. Bow competes with the local widow (Arlette Marchal) for his attentions, but both women get a big surprise when his wife shows up (Patricia Dupont). The predatory wife is ready for a divorce until she discovers he might be on the verge of a fortune. Bow settles her hash fast.Bow has personality to spare and has a few great scenes: her opening nude bath, her hula in a grass skirt, and the dog rescue scene with Bow and Brook doing their own stunts.Note: the IMDb credit list is wrong. The film credits (from the DVD I have) list Patricia Dupont as playing Mrs. Haldane---not Margaret Truax as listed on IMDb.
melancholysugarcane
Many of the reviews and comments I have read about this movie say that this is a rather stale film and performance by Clara Bow. Although the story-line was rather typical of Clara's later silents, I still find it somewhat heart-stirring and incredibly fun. Clara plays a happy-go-lucky Hawaiian girl who will stop at nothing to win the man she loves...never mind that this man is married! Clara's lack of modesty was shocking in the day, but I believe it lends to the sweetness and general fun of the movie. Though definitely not a brilliant story-line (quite typical, actually), this movie is a nice showcase of Clara's ability to make the audience laugh.
