Tanga Tika
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Dwight Long
George Fenneman
Adeline Tetahaimuai
Paul Meoe
Alice Swenson
Tumaatura
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
On a Tahitian island, Timi is a dreamer who longs to voyage to his ancestral home of "Tanga Tika." Timi's quest is replaced by romance when he falls in love with Nenu, and proposes marriage. However, Nenu's mother has already promised Nenu to a merchant to whom her mother is indebted. Timi tries to pay off the debt by competing in the South Pacific Olympic games at Papeete, which gives cash prizes. Despite winning several competitions, Timi still does not have enough money to earn his bride's hand in marriage, so he hires onto a copra boat, which collects coconut meat from other islands. Timi is presumed dead after the boat is shipwrecked during a hurricane, but he is actually stranded on a deserted island and survives alone for six months, until he is rescued by Americans on a pleasure yacht. Timi returns home in time to prevent Nemu's marriage to the merchant. Timi and Nenu are then married and celebrate with a feast.
Director
Dwight Long
Cast
George Fenneman
Adeline Tetahaimuai
Paul Meoe
Alice Swenson
Tumaatura
Roger Soui
Governor Anzani
Mayor Poeui
Cpt. Darr
Ah Fu
James Norman Hall
Crew
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
The synopsis, credits and the following information were derived from contemporary reviews and news items: According to a May 27, 1953 article in Variety, author James Norman Hall, who died in Tahiti in 1951, contributed to the story and character development. A May 24, 1953 New York Times article adds that Hall appears briefly in Tanga Tika. This film was shot on location in Tahiti and on the Tahitian islands of Bora Bora, Rengaroa and Moorea. It was shot in 16mm Kodachrome film, but transferred to 35mm Eastman Color for exhibition. Although a January 6, 1953 Hollywood Reporter news item credited the transfer to Pathé Laboratory, a later news item credited Filmeffects of Hollywood with the transfer, and Pathé with making the print. Various reviews and articles note that Dwight Long spent over four years in production on the film and financed it largely by himself. The May 27, 1953 Variety article also credits filmmakers John Ford, Merian C. Cooper, as well as Arch Monson, with additional financial support.
