Ins Paradies verdammt

Having seen the 1938 Charles Laughton version, with a young and handsome Robert Newton in a minor role, I was intrigued to see the 1954 version. Although Laughton was a great character actor I was unmoved by the quirky 'romance' in the story. However, many years after his brief appearance with Laughton-and several pounds heavier, Newton is endearingly charming as the incorrigible Ted. He pervades warmth through the screen and his eyes are full of mischief-he clearly enjoyed this role (not too far removed from his own lovable but rebellious nature). There is a real chemistry between him and Glynis Johns-all the ladies in fact-and he appears to improvise for comic effect, several times. The minor characters lack charisma but all in all, this is a sweet and up-lifting film with a beautiful location.

Romantic drama adapted from a story by Somerset Maugham stars Glynis Johns and Robert Newton, who make a good pair, though vastly different from each other , as one's a hard drinking beachcomber and other is a psalm-singing missionary nurse, but that's part of fun cause you know that adage "never Twain shall meet" slowly ebbs away, especially when they end up battling cholera-infected island. This British film also stars Donald pleasance, who does a fine job as governor's adjutant, and Donald Sinden.

The story -Mr. Gray (Donald Sinden) is the new Resident in Charge of the Welcome Islands in the Indian Ocean. The Islands are full of life; the only other Europeans are the "sanctimonious, psalm-singing" brother-sister missionary team of Martha and Owen Jordans(Glynis Johns and Paul Rogers), and the Honourable Ted (Robert Newton) - a hard-drinking, womanizing social outcast whose English family pays him to stay away. Martha and Ted become an unlikely team when cholera threatens the islands and they must do their best to stop its spread.

The Beachcomber is a well-made, well-acted British romantic comedy with great performances from all the actors, especially from Glynis and Robert - they are both charming and comical. The island and its inhabitants and the tribulations they experience is nicely-etched. A pleasant afternoon film.

Ah, unlikely romance. The perky Glynis Johns plays the sister of a rather sanctimonious missionary in the islands while the Honourable Ted, Newton, is the beachcomber. He gets drunk and destructive and is sent off to a penal island and teams up with Glynis Johns to fight a cholera outbreak. Romance blooms and the perky albeit up-tight missionary links up with the good-hearted beachcomber with a great happy ending. The team of cute, pert and perky Glynis Johns (memorable from her roles in No Highway in the Sky, The Sundowners and others) and Newton (Long John Silver), the compleat epitome of piratedom is great. Sadly, no video available but catch it as I did, on the late show. You won't regret it.

I watched this movie late at night for Donald Pleasance. I was disappointed by his rather small role, but felt myself strangely intrigued by this romantic romp.

The movie follows drunkard English emigre, 'the honorable Ted', who insists upon getting himself into numerous brawls and disturbances around the island. He comes into contact with the recently appointed governor, who despite being compelled to punish him, soon becomes his good friend. Ted is given considerable contempt for his 'wicked ways' by the local missionaries, a priest and his sister, Ms. Jordan. During the film, there is a gradual convalescence of Ms. Jordan from a fundamental Christian ("Oh, Lord, protect me from the onslaughts of the Unbelievers and their wickedness" she says whilst stranded on the island alone with Ted and a couple of natives) to an understanding, approachable sort.

This change takes place when Ted must sail her back from one of the outlying islands. Despite his rugged appearance, she begins to develop affection for his urbane and nurturing nature, being particularly surprised at his chivalry for not compromising her virtue whilst she they were alone on the island!

Later arrested for further drunkenness, Ted is promised a pardon if he travels with Ms. Jordan to another island to help contain an outbreak of cholera. He reluctantly agrees, but later comes to deeply admire her committal to the safety and health of the natives. The films ends happily with their marriage.

Donald Pleasance is relegated to the unglamorous role of an island native coolie; given the stereotypical boot-polishing and brimmed spectacles of a Western actor attempting an non-western character. He acts proficiently though as the Governor's adjutant, resplendent in imperial white, always loudly organizing his fellow servants as the fade out is about to occur.

The film is surprising relaxed about the formalities of colonization, indeed the colonial administrator is portrayed with much humility in his concern at the outbreak of disease. The film is above all a romance, with Ms. Jordan gradually stripping of her prejudicial conscience, and moments of comedy thrown in by Ted and inadvertently by the machinations of the 50's stereotyping of native islander culture.

Any deep analysis, I think, may destroy the intentions of this film, which is a half-hearted romance/comedy with some humanitarianism thrown in for good measure. Feels like 'The African Queen'!

Glynnis John, Donald Sinden, and Robert Newton all give sterling performances in this delightful Somerset Maugham story about a neer-do-well and a missionary in the South Seas. I have read everything that Maugham has written, as I was obsessed with Tahiti and the South Seas in my youth. No one writes about this venue better than Maugham. He gets the European colonial and he also gets the natives down as well. This is a simple tale of gradual seduction (but we really don't know who is seducing who). John has one of her career best roles, as does Newton. Sinden is perfect as the magistrate of the island. If you like Maugham, you will enjoy this film immensely.