Passion Fruit (1921)

Regina Dominant lives with her father on a small South Sea island and is jealously regarded by the overseer, Anders Rance, who wants to possess Regina and, eventually, the Dominant estate. Anders kills Peter Dominant with a poisoned cigar made by a leper on the island, hoping to gain control of the young woman. However, Regina is intrigued by Pierce Lamont, a newcomer who insults her after she dances the hula at a charity vaudeville show. She soon entrusts Pierce with the management of the estate. Using the leper as speaker for the gods to arouse the natives, Anders starts a revolt against Regina, claiming, falsely, that since she is half-caste, she does not deserve to rule the island. The natives dethrone Regina and Pierce Lamont is taken prisoner. Pointing a gun at Pierce, Anders forces Regina to keep him alive by dancing the hula. Outraged, the natives break up the revelry, and Regina's maid, Nuanua, reveals that Anders Rance is her father, the one who made her a shunned half-caste. Nuanua kills Anders with a knife, then commits suicide. With peace restored, Pierce and Regina are happily united.