Passion and Paradise

This made-for-tv movie re-examines the still unsolved murder case of Sir Harry Oakes. The acting and characterizations are brilliant,especially Kevin McCarthy as one of Harry's so-called friends. Garry Moore, host of "I've Got A Secret", had a summer place where the murder happened, and in interviews said that after thirty years, the locals refused to discuss Sir Harry's murder. I won't spoil anything by giving away what the writers speculate; rather, watch for yourself, as the acting and screenplay are excellent.

The Murder Of Sir Harry Oakes is still a subject of speculation even today, especially in the Bahamas . This American born, Canadian citizen and knight of the British Empire is well played by Rod Steiger.

The natural beauty of the Bahamas is what attracted Oakes to settle here and make this a home away from the world's travails. In 1943 the world certainly had a lot of travails and the World War raging on affects all on the Bahamas. But in the upper crust where Oakes hangs out, they carry on like the war was a million miles away. Funny no mention of German U-Boat activity is made at any point in the film.

The Bahamas is where Winston Churchill's government put the former king and now Duke of Windsor as Governor-General. There was always a fear the Germans would grab him and if they invaded the British Isles they would restore him as king. Putting him in the Bahamas a short hop from Florida would releve the British and give the Americans the worry for his safety and person. The Duke is played by Andrew Ray and the woman he loved Wallis Warfield Simpson is played by Linda Griffiths. They're played just about like the society twits they were.

Into this island paradise comes Armand Assante, a man with an old title, but little old money to go with it. He makes a living in New York as an escort for hire among the the creme de la creme of society. A titled gigolo. Assante has bought a plantation next to the Oakes estate and Steiger befriends him

Until he starts courting Catherine Mary Stewart, Steiger's daughter. Both Steiger and wife Mariette Hartley oppose him, but Assante marries Stewart anyway.

Two other elements of this story are the burgeoning independence movement among the natives who are the descendants of runaway slaves from the USA. The second is the mob who want to turn the Bahamas into another gambling paradise like Cuba. hey send Michael Sarrazin to work things out but peacefully.

All these elements are part of the story which comes to a head when Steiger is murdered and Assante arrested. It would be convenient for the powers that be to have Assante convicted.

Passion And Paradise is exceptionally well cast and photographed beautifully. My favorite however was the American detective hired by Stewart Wayne Rogers. Right out of Raymond Chandler.

The Duke Of Windsor was rightly pilloried for botching the investigation when he took advantage of the closeness and called in the Miami police. They did more than botch and it all eflected bad on the Windsors.

See if you can come up with your own solution to this case.

Are you kidding me? While on vacation in a friend's condo, we came across this video. I have to admit, we were groaning and howling enough that I could have missed some redeeming aspect. Who on earth played the daughter? Was that she on the yacht early on complaining about her European fiancé? Did she have a sudden personality change after meeting AA? The costumes were ludicrous. Two of the silliest scenes...when Rod Steiger goes to the newlyweds' place (where they had the double bed out in the center of the room) and literally tries to drag her from between the sheets and, earlier, ga ga over Armande, when she returns home giddy, and skips around the foyer, gayly pulling a flower from the arrangement, all to some perfectly horrid music. The plot was disjointed, the movie terribly edited, and omg I just don't know what else to say.