We already know and love Duke Kahanamoku for his wildly propagative surf skills, his dignity, graciousness, and heroism, and his set-to-stun good looks (one admirer called him "the most magnificent human male God ever put on the earth"—suck it, Bradly Cooper!), which makes me wonder if it is even possible for us to expand our affections for Duke any further.

Because in addition to these foregoing qualities, it has just been brought to me attention that our great Bronzed Islander could also bring the laughs. Maybe some of you hardcore Dukephiles already knew this? I certainly did not. Oh I have always felt the warmth of that big Polynesian smile, and know that Duke had a relaxed and easygoing side. (Although I don't believe he was relaxed enough to nap underwater, as Fred Hemmings once claimed. And we know Hemmings believes this to be fact, as Fred's sense of humor, unlike Duke's, is strong the way Chappy Jennings' pectorals are strong.) But until EOS supporter Avra Kouffman sent me a link to a 19-minute short called 

, I didn't realize Duke had an apparently well-oiled comedy gear.

 was made in 1925 when Duke was a youthful 35. It was produced by Hal Roach, who two years later struck gold with Laurel and Hardy. In the film's early scenes, a hapless but good-hearted milkman named Charley liberates his young son Mickey for a day at the beach, with Charley's battleax mother-in-law in hot pursuit. Some of the beach scenes are shot (I'm 80% sure) in Corona del Mar, others are in Santa Monica or Venice, next to one of those long-since destroyed piers.

Halfway through the film, Charley winds up in the water, beyond the surf, nude by misadventure, waiting on Mickey to throw some clothes down from the pier. Cut to eight bathing beauties artfully arranged around Duke, who strums a ukulele, sings, fills out a lifeguard tank-top like nobody else, and is way too deep in the beachboy moment to notice Charley out the back. The blonde to Duke's left jumps up and shouts (by way of title card) "Man in distress! BRING HIM IN!" Duke throws his uke aside, sprints for the water and dives in. We're still on familiar territory here. Duke, heroic, about to make a rescue. But Charley resists—he's not in trouble, he's just naked and in need of cover—prompting a title card ("When a drowning person is in trouble, strike him a firm blow on the tip of the chin"), and a right cross by Duke. It lands, but Charley shakes it off and counters with a shot of his own, which knocks Duke out. A second lifeguard rushes out to save Duke and give Charley a dress to put on—all Mickey could find on short notice.

Back on the beach, Duke regains consciousness and runs after Charlie. Mickey keeps up with the two men, and at the right moment throws himself bodily before Duke, tripping the Hawaiian up, and allowing father and son to escape. And that's it for our Hawaiian hero. Presumably, Duke regathers the squad, picks up his uke, and spins out a pidgin-accented line of hustle designed to get everyone back into that fine beach groove.

The evil grandmother is arrested, Charley and wife reunite, family restored, roll credits.

But back to the comedy which, okay, yes, I'm overcooking. Nothing intentionally comedic from 1925 is funny in 2019. Comedy doesn't age. All those kids watching 

 these days, I don't know what that's about, irony maybe, or some kind of visual comfort food. Not the comedy. (But Joey is funnier than Ross.) That said, Duke seems to have a knack for the stuff. He looks boy-toy dumb in his first shot, talks to his fist before hitting Charley, and does an amusing little high-step run during the chase scene. Did Hal Roach lose sleep thinking it maybe should have been Laural and Duke and Hardy? No. But is Duke ten-times funnier in 

 than the rest of his Hollywood roles combined? Judging from the promo stills, I say ho! da kine 'mo funny in Faddah!

WATCH: DUKE BAGS LAUGHS IN LOST 1925 COMEDY SHORT

Subscribe or Login

Subscribe or Login

Encyclopedia of Surfing

History of Surfing

Interviews

Features

The Sunday Joint

Videos