Hollywood's Magical Island: Catalina (2003)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Greg Reitman

Writer:

Greg Reitman (written by)

Genre:

Documentary | History | Music | Sport

Tagline:

Hollywood's secret playground of the stars

Plot:

Beginning with William Wrigley's acquisition of the Santa Catalina Island Company in 1919, the history of the island is explored with archival footage, stills, interviews of residents, historians and celebrities. |

Plot Keywords:

Island | Celebrity | Catalina | Buffalo | Actress

Cast

Kathryn Abbott	...	Herself - Historian (as Kathryn Abbott Ph.d.)
Del Breckenfeld	...	Himself - Director, Fender Records / Fender Musical Instruments Corp.
Les Brown	...	Himself - Big Band Legend
Jean-Michel Cousteau	...	Himself - Ocean Futures Society
Dick Dale	...	Himself - King of the Surf Guitar
Tony Dow	...	Himself - Actor / Director
Mike Farrior	...	Himself - Tuna Club Curator
Art Good	...	Himself - Founder of Catalina Jazz Trax
Larry Harris	...	Himself - Author 'Jewels of Avalon'
Gregory Harrison	...	Himself - Actor / Third Generation Islander
Richard Keit	...	Himself - Tile Artist
Mary Kennedy	...	Herself - Tile Artist
Jack LaLanne	...	Himself - Fitness Pioneer
Chuck Liddell	...	Himself - Historian
A.C. Lyles	...	Himself - Paramount Pictures Producer

Runtime:

52 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Filming Locations:

Avalon, Santa Catalina Island, Channel Islands, California, USA

Company:

Blue Water Entertainment

Movie Connections:

References Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)

Soundtrack:

Kelp Forests

Reitman Reveals the Story of an Intriguing Island Getaway

As an award-winning documentary journalist, I recommend "Hollywood's Magical Island." It is a captivating exploration of the rise and fall and (almost) rise again of Catalina, a little known island off the coast of Los Angeles. Reitman has done a superb job of integrating images, music, and interviews. The voice of actor Peter Coyote (Jagged Edge) adds to the pleasure of the viewing journey. The result is a documentary worth watching.

Over the years, Catalina Island has served as a tourist mecca, a World War II base, and a get-a-way for Hollywood stars. This documentary might attract a new wave of visitors to the island. But for those who never make it to Catalina, this documentary will be a satisfying substitute.