In 1963 when Donovan's Reef was released, John Wayne was the 2nd most popular box office star in America according to the annual Quigley poll (Doris Day was number one). The only other male star from his generation to make the list that year was Cary Grant at number five. They would be the last male stars from the early 30's to still be box office attractions. Grant last made the list in 1966 and Wayne in 1974.

Reef is one of Wayne's best comedies. It also marks the final collaboration between the star and director John Ford. Wayne, Lee Marvin and Jack Warden play World War II Navy buddies. They have retreated from the postwar world to live on a beautiful French Polynesian island. Wayne and Marvin get into a fist fight every year on their birthday, which they share. They have been doing this for fifteen years. Warden plays a doctor, he's the responsible one. Wayne is Donovan, the owner of the eponymous saloon where much of the action takes place.

The gist of the plot concerns Warden's wealthy Boston daughter (whom he has never met) arriving on the island in order to disinherit him and take control of the family shipping business. The fact that Warden had a native wife and three children by her must be kept a secret from the daughter. They pass his kids off as Donovan's. Of course the daughter falls for Donovan and everyone lives happily ever after.

The tropical scenery in the movie is absolutely gorgeous. The movie was shot in Hawaii. Also on hand are stars Cesar Romero and Dorothy Lamour. He plays the Governor of the island and she is Marvin's Saloon singer girlfriend. Movie buffs may also recognize character actor Dick Foran as an Australian Navy Officer.

This one is a lighthearted, Technicolor, widescreen treat. It makes a great companion movie to Cary Grant's Father Goose which was released the following year. They don't make stars or movies like these anymore.

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