I have recently been hesitant to engage in blogging due to my anxiety surrounding the anticipated arrival of the lobby card for “Around the World in 80 Minutes.”
Before delving into that, however, I would like to share the story of how I discovered this elusive reproduction lobby card featuring Duke Kahanamoku.
Late last month, I found myself browsing eBay in search of new items, but I came across nothing of interest. In search of inspiration, I turned to Wikipedia to explore the films that Duke might have been involved in during his lifetime. I discovered a plethora of titles—but most of his roles were minor compared to the grand promises Hollywood made during his recruitment.
Duke Kahanamoku dedicated a significant portion of his life, approximately seven to eight years, to pursuing a film career in Hollywood, residing in Los Angeles from 1922 to 1930. During this period, he appeared in numerous films and championed the sport of surfing, although his acting pursuits continued only intermittently until the 1950s.
Here are a short summary that I find interesting and have the needs to share as part of my blog for today.
Key Details of Duke Kahanamoku’s Film Career:
- Active Film Period: Duke moved to Los Angeles in 1922 and remained until around 1930.
- Film Appearances: He appeared in over 28 Hollywood films during this time.
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Roles: Frequently cast as a Pacific Islander or tribal chief, notable credits include:
- Lord Jim (1925)
- The Pony Express (1925)
- Old Ironsides (1926)
- Notable Later Roles: He made guest appearances long after the 1920s in films such as Wake of the Red Witch (1948) and Mister Roberts (1955).
- Return to Hawaii: Following the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics, he returned to Hawaii, where he was elected Sheriff of Honolulu in 1934.
Duke’s acting career consisted of a dedicated stint in the 1920s, complemented by part-time roles later, all while serving as a cultural ambassador for Hawaii. He aspired to portray significant characters, including a dream to play Tarzan. However, racial barriers and the strict rules of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) limited his opportunities, preventing him from performing any swimming or surfing stunts for compensation. Consequently, Hollywood studios often typecast him in minor, uncredited roles as tribal or Indian chiefs.
Now, regarding the discovery of the lobby card: I stumbled upon it while watching a video of Douglas Fairbanks visiting Hawaii. then later on surfing with Duke. In the video, Duke asked Fairbanks if he was cold, using the word “Anuanu,” a term unfamiliar to me. I first encountered this word during an episode of “This Is Your Life, Duke Kahanamoku,” where Duke asked Mr. Akana and when he asked him…Anuanu.
Curious, I began searching for images from each of Duke’s films, but came up empty until I reached “Around the World in 80 Minutes.” The listing did not initially mention Duke’s name, but having researched him extensively over the past year, I recognized him in the photo. My only concern was that the seller was based in Australia, raising questions about potential tariffs. Fortunately, the cost was minimal, allowing me to proceed with the purchase.
Those days of anticipation, I started and Intrigued by Duke’s role in the Douglas Fairbanks film, I conducted another search and realized it was indeed the same video I had watched multiple times previously. It is fascinating how that short video led me to find the lobby card.
The envelope was postmarked on May 3, 2026, and it arrived on May 14, 2026, making for a nine day journey. I am extremely pleased with this purchase, not only for the lobby card itself but also for the seller’s impeccable packaging. The item arrived professionally wrapped, and the thick envelope was a pleasant surprise.
Having experienced the seller’s quality of service, I plan to make future purchases. I will leave positive feedback once I finish this blog entry.
I also learned from this purchase about the distinction between a press photo and a lobby card. Typically printed on heavy stock or card material, lobby cards often depict a scene from the film, framed by a border, and prominently display the movie’s title, often enhanced with color or tint.
Furthermore, although this item is a reproduction, it will be treasured as it represents a rare glimpse from the film’s inception.
Immediately upon receiving the card, I placed it in a protective sleeve, adding it to my growing binder filled with various pieces of Duke’s ephemera, which I have been accumulating since I began blogging about him in February 2025.
Reflecting on my journey, I recognize how I have evolved as a blogger. My writing has become more focused, attentive to word choice, and meaningful, rooted in personal experience.
To this day, blogging about Duke Kahanamoku has reinforced my commitment to storytelling, as I find joy in the learning process.