Directed by Raoul Walsh • 1956 • United States
Starring Jane Russell, Richard Egan, Joan Leslie

Jane Russell’s feisty performance (in a role originally intended for Marilyn Monroe), Raoul Walsh’s vigorous direction, and spectacular Hawaiian location shooting in eye-popping DeLuxe Color come together in a punchy melodrama adapted from a scandalous novel by William Bradford Huie. Run out of San Francisco, prostitute Mamie Stover (Russell) hops a freighter to Hawaii and along the way meets successful writer Jim Blair (Richard Egan). Their budding romance offers Mamie the promise of a fresh start, but her old ways—and ruthless ambition—complicate matters. A blonde Agnes Moorehead lends memorable support as a domineering brothel madam.