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Poster for Siren of the Tropics

Siren of the Tropics

Seen it?

1927 | 86 min | Music, Drama

Weeknight Watchearly rating

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With soft box office and little lasting buzz, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
One for people who'll be humming afterwards and music lovers. The music is woven into the story, not just laid on top.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 26 min. An easy one to fit in on a school night.
What might put you off
  • It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Made in 1927: an older pace and style.
  • Skip it if you need something light and fast tonight.

Marquis Sévéro, a rich, lazy Parisian, wants to divorce his wife so that he can marry his own goddaughter Denise. But Denise herself loves André Berval, an engineer employed by the marquis. Filled with jealousy, the marquis sends André to the Antilles, to prospect some land he has just acquired. He promises André that he can marry Denise if he is successful in the tropics, but he then writes to Alvarez, his manager at the site, asking him to prevent André from ever returning to France. The brutal Alvarez forms an instant hatred for André when the engineer breaks up Alvarez's attempt to rape Papitou, a beautiful native girl. Papitou becomes devoted to André, and protects him against Alvarez's schemes. But she faces a crisis herself when she learns that André plans to marry Denise.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsSolid

    Generally positive reviews

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerBelow par

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 17K people sought it out in the past year

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Cast & crew

Directed by Henri Étiévant, Mario Nalpas

  • Josephine BakerPapitou
  • Pierre BatcheffAndré Berval
  • Régina DalthyLa marquise Severo
  • Regina ThomasDenise
  • Georges MelchiorLe comte Severo
  • KiranineLe régisseur Alvarez
  • Adolphe CandéLe directeur