Return to Paradise (1953)

User Rating:

5.3/10   

Director:

Mark Robson

Writers:

Charles Kaufman (writer)
James Michener (novel)

Release Date:

10 July 1953 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Based on the short story "Mr. Morgan" from "Return To Paradise" (James Michener's sequel to "Tales of the South Pacific")...

Plot Keywords:

South Seas | Based On Novel

Cast

Gary Cooper	...	Mr. Morgan
Barry Jones	...	Pastor Corbett
Roberta Haynes	...	Maeva
Moira Walker	...	Turia (as Moira MacDonald)
John Hudson	...	Captain Harry Faber
Mamea Matumua	...	Tonga
Hans Kruse	...	Rori at age 21
Terry Dunleavy	...	Mac
Howard Poulson	...	Russ
Donald Ashford	...	Cutler
Herbert Ah Sue	...	Kura
Va'a	...	Rori at age 9 (as Felice Va'a)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Frances Gow	...	Mrs. Talbot (scenes deleted)
Brian McEwen	...	Hank Elliott (scenes deleted)
Web Overlander	...	Will Talbot (scenes deleted)

Runtime:

100 min | 88 min (TCM print)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

Australia:G | West Germany:12 | Finland:K-15 (new rating: 2001) | France:U | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | USA:Approved (PCA #16299)

Filming Locations:

Matautu, Samoa

Company:

Aspen Productions (I)

Trivia:

The 50th birthday of the shooting of the film was celebrated on Upolu Island on November 5 2003. Roberta Haynes, Donald Ashford, Terry Dunleary, Moira MacDonald and local cast members were present.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Lola (1961)

Soundtrack:

Return To Paradise

Is Cooper doomed to re-live the past?

From the first day he was 'deposited' on the tiny South Pacific island, all Cooper was looking for a little peace and quiet. What he got was a bible thumper with a bad attitude, who meant well, but his priorities were a little screwed up. When Cooper hits the island, the "preacher" does everything in his power to let Cooper know he's not welcome. The narrator in the beginning lets us know right away that something is not right with the island natives, but they don't know if they can do anything about it.

After the girl he falls in love with is jailed, Cooper fights to break her out and eventually ends up leading the natives in a revolt. He settles down to a life on the island, but the sea calls to him whenever someone seems to get too close to him. And the man who is his worst enemy turns to him for help when the going gets tough.

As a movie watcher, this is not my "cup of tea." But my significant other recorded it the other night off one of the classic channels and I had nothing better to do, so I started watching it. Next thing I knew, it was after midnight and the movie was ending. As I said, I never really get into the older movies, but I did find this one rather enjoyable and I will be watching for more of Gary Cooper in the future.