History of Don the Beachcomber

Newport Beach Historical Society is highlighting the history of Donn Beach, AKA Don the Beachcomber, the enigmatic father of modern tiki culture, now celebrated in the documentary The Donn of Tiki.

🌺 The Man Behind the Myth: Donn Beach

Ernest Raymond Beaumont Gantt, who legally became Donn Beach, launched Hollywood’s first tiki bar in the mid-1930s. His venue, Don the Beachcomber, pioneered the immersive South Seas-themed dining experience. With bamboo décor, tiki idols, tropical rain effects, and an exotic Cantonese–Polynesian menu, it was a cinematic escape that captured Hollywood’s elite. Donn’s legacy lies in mixology by crafting iconic cocktails like the Zombie and Navy Grog. He introduced Rhum Rhapsodies and shaped tiki’s signature drink-centric culture.

🎥 The Donn of Tiki: Documentary in Focus

Produced by Surf Monkey Films (Max Well, Alex Lamb, et al.), The Donn of Tiki is a visually inventive documentary combining interviews, animation, and rare archival footage to probe the myths and realities of Donn’s life. From rum-running in the Caribbean to crafting the first commercial luau in Hawai‘i, the film peels back layers of legend to highlight his entrepreneurial spirit. The film has garnered awards at festivals like Newport Beach Film Fest (with screenings and Q&A sessions) and SF Doc Fest, where it even won Audience Awards.

Newport Beach Historical Society’s Role

The Newport Beach Historical Society, founded in 1967 and based at the Balboa Fun Zone, is actively preserving local heritage.

• 🎬 Screening of The Donn of Tiki on August 13, 2025, at the Lido Theater at 3459 Via Lido in Newport Beach

• 🍽️ Newport Beach Tiki Dinner on September 4, 2025, featuring Disneyland and tiki lore guided by Dr. Skipper Marley, held at the historic Balboa Pavilion .

• 🏛️ 70° has curated a summer 2025 exhibit, “Newport Beach Tiki,” showcasing artifacts from Don the Beachcomber, Christian’s Hut, and Gilligan’s Island.

The Newport Beach Historical Society is weaving Donn’s legacy into Newport's cultural fabric, ensuring that this icon of mid-century Americana is preserved. Integrating Donn Beach’s tiki narrative enriches the city's chronicle with cinematic-era mystique. The society's events offer an opportunity for deeper cultural insight.