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South Sea Woman is a 1953 adventure-comedy film directed by Arthur Lubin, starring Burt Lancaster, Virginia Mayo, and Chuck Connors. Set during World War II, the film tells the story of Marine Sergeant James O'Hearn (Lancaster), who is court-martialed for disobeying orders and is sentenced to serve time on a supply ship on its way to the South Pacific. Along the way, the ship is attacked by Japanese planes and O'Hearn, along with several convicts, escape the sinking vessel and find themselves stranded on a tropical island.

The convicts include Sturges (Connors), a con artist, and Hetty Button (Mayo), a sultry nightclub singer, who unexpectedly becomes the object of desire for both O'Hearn and Sturges. O'Hearn, originally disgusted by the convicts, finds himself in command of the group and determines to turn them into a fighting unit to defend against potential Japanese attacks. The ragtag group must also confront a native tribe and contend with their own interpersonal conflicts.

The film is filled with humor and exciting action sequences, particularly featuring Lancaster, known for his physical prowess, in various stunts and fights. Mayo's character adds a touch of romance and drama to the story, as she becomes increasingly conflicted about her feelings towards O'Hearn and Sturges. Connors, in one of his earliest film roles, is charismatic as the conniving Sturges, adding a bit of edge to the otherwise lighthearted film.

One of the notable aspects of South Sea Woman is its representation of World War II, which is often portrayed in a more serious or dramatic light in film. Here, the war functions mainly as a backdrop for the characters' adventures, rather than the central focus of the story. This approach may have been a reflection of the film's release in the aftermath of the war, when audiences may have been seeking lighter fare in cinema.

Overall, South Sea Woman is an entertaining romp with a talented cast and a fun, escapist storyline. It may not be the most groundbreaking or memorable film of its era, but it's certainly an enjoyable one.

South Sea Woman is a 1953 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.