AllMovie

Eskimo actor Ray Mala (real name: Ray Wise) relocates to the South Seas in Last of the Pagans. Mala (as he is billed) is cast as Taro, one of dozens of natives exploited by the white owners of the tin mine. The story is based on Herman Melville's Typee, which was in part a condemnation of white intervention in the South Sea islands. This aspect of the story is completely forgotten when Taro rescues a white overseer during a cave-in, leading to happiness, harmony and understanding all around. There's also a hurricane and a few hula dancers thrown into the stew. Lotus Long, who'd previously co-starred with Mala in MGM's Eskimo, is here cast as Taro's island sweetheart Lilleo.