The first of over 60 feature films made on Kaua‘i was “Cane Fire,” filmed during September of 1933 and released the following year under the title “White Heat.” A melodrama directed by Lois Weber and written by James Bodrero, “Cane
The first of over 60 feature films made on Kaua‘i was “Cane Fire,” filmed during September of 1933 and released the following year under the title “White Heat.”
A melodrama directed by Lois Weber and written by James Bodrero, “Cane Fire” starred Hardie Albright, Virginia Cherrill, Mona Maris and David Newell.
In “Cane Fire,” sugar planter Hawks’ lover is local girl Leilani, yet he leaves her to marry American socialite Lucille Cheney.
Lucille soon becomes bored with routine plantation life and her hard-working husband. She is about to fall for a handsome kama‘aina when her former lover, Chandler Morris, sails into port aboard his yacht and she resumes her affair with him instead.
When jealous Hawks catches Lucille and Morris together, he attacks Morris. But Morris is saved when Lucille starts a cane fire by tossing a kerosene lamp.
The movie closes after Leilani rescues Hawks from the inferno and they are reunited.
About 30 actors, staff, and technicians traveled to Kaua‘i for filming. With them came sound and lighting equipment, cameras, and electric generators that were necessary since Kaua‘i’s electric current was unsteady.
Hundreds of local extras were selected for the film. Some Kaua‘i kama‘aina received minor roles: stage actor Peter Hyun of Kapaia, Paul Kamai, Nohili Naumu, Nicholas Kamai, Josephine Kamai, Ruth Helenii, Mrs. Annie Holt, Christobel Holt, Mrs. William Achi III, Mrs. William Makanani, Alice Holt, Harriet Gifford, Becky Holi, Louise Holi, Adelaide Gifford, Frances Kaiawe, Hattie Naea, Kila Malina, William Makanani, William Hookano and Mr. Ishii.
Photographer W. J. Senda took still pictures of the movie.
Scenes were shot at Waiawa, which was the old Knudsen homestead located about a mile west of Kekaha, an old Hawaiian house in Waimea Valley, Waimea Sugar Company, Hanalei, Lumahai, Haena, Waimea Canyon, Olokele Falls, Kalalau, and Milolii.
