Hei Tiki (1935)

1h 14m
Running Time

February 2, 1935
Release Date

Hei Tiki

Hei Tiki (1935)

1h 14m
Running Time

February 2, 1935
Release Date

External Links & Social Media

Plot.

Hei Tiki, also known as Primitive Passions and Hei Tiki: A Saga of the Maoris, is a 1935 American mock-documentary film made in New Zealand by the eccentric Alexander Markey and released (with sound added) in America. The film gained notoriety in America for having scenes of nudity cut in various states. It is one of four films (with The Devil's Pit, Down on the Farm, and On the Friendly Road) which claim to be the first "New Zealand talkie", although the claim is dubious in this case as the sound was added in America.

Where to Watch.

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Cast & Crew.

Alexander Markey

Alexander Markey

Writer / Director / Producer

Zoe Varney

Zoe Varney

Associate Producer

Oscar Potoker

Oscar Potoker

Music

Howard Bridgman

Howard Bridgman

Cinematography

Details.

Release Date
February 2, 1935

Status
Released

Running Time
1h 14m

Filming Locations
New Zealand

Genres

Last updated:

This Movie Is About.

maori
hei tiki

Wiki.

Hei Tiki, also known as Primitive Passions and Hei Tiki: A Saga of the Maoris, is a 1935 American mock documentary film made in New Zealand by the eccentric Alexander Markey and released (with sound added) in America. The film gained notoriety in America for having scenes of nudity cut in various states.

Markey directed and produced the film, also writing the screenplay and the "native melodies". His girlfriend Zoe Varney was credited as associate producer. Alfred Hill, the original composer, and Ted Coubray, the original cameraman, were both fired and not credited; Coubray also lost his camera to Markey. The film also used unpaid Māori extras, and taonga, their cherished tribal artefacts, were lent by the cast; Markey took the artefacts when he returned to America, leaving unpaid bills behind him. Local investors had invested £10,000 in the film.

The film was shot in Waihi. The film was released in America with sound added; a symphonic score by Oscar Potoker was added using the RCA Photophone System and "voice-over" narration, which avoided the problems of synchronisation.

It is one of four films (with The Devil's Pit, Down on the Farm, and On the Friendly Road) which claim to be the first "New Zealand talkie", although the claim is dubious in this case as the sound was added in America.

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