Trying to take advantage of the 3-D fad of the early 50s, the film was shot in 3-D. But, by the time of the premiere on December 23, 1953, interest in 3-D had died down considerably. After a two-week run, all 3-D prints were pulled. The film was given a national release "flat", in other words, in regular prints.
This is a "Personal Pick" of Robert Osborne, who is the host for Turner Classic Movies. He considers Rita Hayworth to be "the definitive" Sadie Thompson.
The hotel that W. Somerset Maugham stayed at in American Samoa (the model for Trader Horn's) still stands, but for years has been a general store.
Jose Ferrer was the third actor to play Davidson on screen, joining Lionel Barrymore and Walter Huston. His actual denomination is never mentioned.
Aldo Ray sits in a hut with natives, trying to find a place for Rita Hayworth in the village. The language used is Samoan. The native says, "Leai se potu," meaning "no room." Ray replies politely but then ends the conversation with, "Alu," which doesn't mean "good-bye" but rather something like, "Get out of here." It's what Samoans say when they shoo animals away from the food or chase children out of the house.
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