The Legend of Johnny Lingo (2003)

Actors: Kevin Kiner (composer), Wynter Blathwayt (miscellaneous crew), Gerald R. Molen (producer), Rawiri Paratene (actor), George Henare (actor), Pete Smith (actor), David Walker (miscellaneous crew), Jane Holland (costume designer), Rene Naufahu (actor), David Fane (actor), Taungaroa Emile (actor), Andrew Cochrane (miscellaneous crew), Hori Ahipene (actor), Ross Duncan (actor), Clayton Tikao (miscellaneous crew),

Plot: When a storm washes a canoe bearing an infant boy ashore upon a small South Pacific island, he is at first well-received as a gift from the heavens, even to the point of the tribal chief adopting him as a successor. However, with time as hardships are blamed upon Tama (as he is named), he is finally outcast to live with the poorest people on the island, Mahana and her drunken father. Mahana is considered homely and undesirable, but Tama feels differently, so when he is old enough to build a craft to sail away, he vows to return for her one day. A lucky stroke brings him to land upon the island of the legendary Johnny Lingo, the wealthiest trader in the islands, and after years of service to him, Tama has learned much about life and himself as he dreams of honoring his pledge to Mahana.

Keywords: character-name-in-title, island, love, marriage, noni-fruit, puppy-love, self-esteem, south-pacific, windsurfing
Genres: Action, Adventure, Family,

Quotes:

Pioi: Mahana, you ugly. Come down from that tree now.

Young Tama: Am I in Heaven ?::Chief Steward: Not quite. You are lucky you washed up when you did. Here, drink this. It is the juice of the noni. It will bring the blood back to your cheeks.

Johnny Lingo: It's been a long time. I'm looking forward to our trade. Our people's health has benefitted enormously from the noni plant found on your island.::Crazy Island Chief: Yes, the noni is a treasure. Now I hope you will not disappoint me. I need something unique for the dowry of my son's bride to be.::Crazy Island Chief: [cups of noni juice are passed to Johnny Lingo and Tama, Tama spills his cup] The boy must pay for his carelessness !::Johnny Lingo: Forgive my young apprentice for his stupidity, I can assure you it was an innocent mistake.::Crazy Island Chief: The gods must be appeased, the drink is an offering to them. You people might as well have spat in their faces.

Young Tama: Yes, I promised I'd go back to take care of her, and I will.::Johnny Lingo: Well, well... true love, something unfortunately that has escaped me. As you rightly say, a treasure more valuable than gold.

Johnny Lingo: About the girl. If you truly value this girl you must wisely show it. Caring for her with stolen goods would not demonstrate true worth. No, love is a most costly commodity. The more you are willing to pay, the more valuable the prize. The question is, are you willing to pay the price ?

Malio Chief: We are indeed honored by your visit and look forward to hosting the celebrated Johnny Lingo. In fact, we intend welcoming him with a feast.::Chief Steward: Please accept the juice of the noni as a gift from Johnny Lingo to the people of Malio Island. A feast will be the perfect opportunity for Johnny to select a bride.

Young Viane: Where have you been Tama ? We missed you on the beach.::Young Natiti: He's been spending time with his new girlfriend.::Young Miriama: I thought I was your girlfriend. I'm still saving my first kiss for you.::Young Tama: I'd rather kiss a slimely eel than put my lips on yours Miriama.::Young Miriama: [Mahana laughs] Shut up Mahana you ugly ! Why don't you ever comb your hair ?::Young Viane: Because she couldn't get one through that rat's nest.::Young Tama: I like her hair. It's sort of wild, yeah, wild like the sea.

Mahana: I think you're just an arrogant peacock!

Tama: Johnny Lingo will give eight cows for Mahana!

Mahana: Why do you offer eight cows?::Tama: For the eight years.

Johnny Lingo (1969)

Actors: Judge Whitaker (director), Judge Whitaker (producer), Scott Whitaker (miscellaneous crew), Frank S. Wise (editor), Francis L. Urry (actor), Claire Whitaker (writer), Makee K. Blaisdell (actor), Patricia McGerr (writer), Naomi Kahoilua (actress), Kent Fonoimoana (actor), Malofou Maumasi (actor), Joseph R. TeNgaio (actor), Joseph W. Ah Quin (actor),

Plot: Johnny Lingo, one of the sharpest traders in the south pacific islands decides to bargain for a wife, and offers a record price of eight cows for Mahana, a plain girl who shuns contact. This causes quite a sensation on the island. A year later Johnny and his wife return for the first time since the marriage, and all find that something miraculous has occurred to Mahana. Johnny explains that by paying eight cows he proved that she was worth more to him than any other woman on the island. He gave her a great gift, that of self-worth.

Keywords: character-name-in-title, cow, island, marriage, mirror, polynesia, self-confidence, self-esteem, self-image, self-worth
Genres: Drama, Family, Short,

Quotes:

Trader Harris: I see. In her father's hut, Mahana believed she was worth nothing.::[last lines]::Johnny Lingo: Yes, and now she knows she is worth more than any other woman on the island.

Moki: Mahana, you ugly. What are you hiding up there for ? Today is the day of bargaining. Come down and be ready to greet your husband to be.

Moki: Three cows.::[Everyone laughs]::Johnny Lingo: Three cows is many, but not enough for Mahana. I will pay eight cows.::[everyone is astonished]::Johnny Lingo: I will bring them in the morning.

[Some boys hiding in the bushes at the wedding feast]::village boys: Johnny Lingo had a cow, trade it for an ugly wife, Johnny Lingo's married now, he'll be sorry all his life

[Mr. Harris hands Tulo the mirror that Johnny has ordered as a gift for Mahana]::Trader Harris: How do you like that Tulo .::Tulo: Ah, it is beautiful, Mahana's face will crack the glass.

Johnny Lingo: Then, always and forever when they speak of marriage settlements it will be remembered that Johnny Lingo paid 8 cows for Mahana.::[Johnny walks away from Mr. Harris's outpost]::Trader Harris: So that's it. He's neither crazy nor blind. He's just vain. Poor vain fool...

[At Johnny's hut]::Trader Harris: Johnny, I can't get over it, she's beautiful .::Johnny Lingo: I have loved her ever since we were children, she was always beautiful. But tell me, do you think 8 cows was too high a price for her ?::Trader Harris: Oh, no. [looking at Mahana in the distance]

Moki's Counselor: [attempting to get Mahana out of a tree] Mahana, you are a very fortunate girl, all the other girls in the village envy you.::Mahana: They mock me.::Moki's Counselor: They would change places with you, every one of them. Look, be a good girl and come down for the bargaining.

Moki: [waiting for Johnny to show up with the promised cows] If he had offered me a cow that gave sour milk I would have accepted it gratefully.::Mahana: Did you hear them ? They laughed. They mock me. He mocks me. You will see, he will not come.

Johnny Lingo: Think what it must mean to a woman, her future husband meeting with her father to discuss the lowest price for which she can be bought. And later, when the women of the village gather, they boast of what their husbands paid for them - three cows, or five. How does she feel, the woman who was sold for one, or two? This could not happen to my Mahana.::Trader Harris: Johnny, I've misjudged you. I thought you were thinking only of how important you would look to your friends, paying 8 cows for a wife. I didn't know you wanted to make Mahana happy.::Johnny Lingo: More than happy, Mr. Harris. I wanted her to be an eight-cow woman.