Frank ready to take control (of a C stand), on the set of 'South Pacific' in Hawaii 1956
Alright… yes, this is more Way-Back Machine, but I’m actually tying it back into film. These photos are from Kauai/Hawaii in 1957, but they are from the set of ‘South Pacific’. Starting next week, we’ll come back to the future, so let’s enjoy the last of our stay in the fabulous fifties while we can.
Dad (Tom Laughlin) got a part in the film classic ‘South Pacific’, and somehow managed to take Mom (Delores Taylor) and I to Hawaii with him in 1957. I have the vaguest memory of the golf, and, most specifically the golf cart. I have no memory of the filming. Was probably traumatized out of me by the crew member that was clearly about to yell at me for trying to move the C-stand in the top picture (what the hell is mom letting me do?!? Put down the camera, mom, and keep mean Mr. Grip from telling me to stay off his lawn.
This was on the island of Kauai, the garden island. The director of the film, Joshua Logan, become an unofficial mentor of Dad’s, answering Dad’s endless questions about the making of a movie. Joshua seemed to respect Tom’s skills and determination. After ‘South Pacific’ Joshua asked Tom to prep and read with a newcomer that was going to be the lead in Joshua’s next film ‘Tall Story’. The newcomer was the daughter of Henry Fonda. Her name was Jane.
The set of 'South Pacific', Hawaii, 1957
You need a lift back to the clubhouse?
Rockin' it like a movie mogul on the back nine.
Behind me is the set of 'South Pacific'
In an effort to save themselves from my taking over the film, they apparently used the dastardly trick of distracting me with a popsicle.
