Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific was a first of its kind production. While distributed and produced by 20th Century Fox, it was mostly backed and owned by the Rodgers & Hammerstein organization along with its Broadway production company. Previously, movie studios would insist on buying the film rights outright and making the film themselves. The film also marked a departure for film musicals. The familiar MGM musical formula called for extensive use of soundstages with more abstract staging. South Pacific used real world settings and expansive staging. It was a perfect production for its time.
