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The Beachcomber (1938)

Vessel of Wrath (original title)
Not Rated | | Drama | 25 December 1938 (USA)
The Beachcomber Poster
In the Dutch islands, the sister of a pious missionary attempts to reform a womanizing, drunken beach bum.

Director:

Erich Pommer

Writers:

W. Somerset Maugham (short story "Vessel of Wrath"), Bartlett Cormack (written for the screen by)

Stars:

Charles Laughton, Elsa Lanchester, Robert Newton | See full cast & crew »
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2 wins. See more awards »

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Cast

Complete credited cast:
Charles Laughton ... Ginger Ted' Wilson
Elsa Lanchester ... Martha Jones
Robert Newton ... The Controleur
Tyrone Guthrie ... Dr. Owen Jones
Eliot Makeham ... The Native Head Clerk
Dolly Mollinger Dolly Mollinger ... Lia
D.A. Ward D.A. Ward ... Albert
J. Solomon J. Solomon ... Sgt. Henrik
See full cast »
Edit

Storyline

In the Dutch islands, the sister of a pious missionary attempts to reform a womanizing, drunken beach bum.

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

beachcomber | spinster schoolteacher | typhoid fever | south seas | religious conversion | See All (5) »

Genres:

Drama

Certificate:

Not Rated | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »
Edit

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 December 1938 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

The Beachcomber See more »

Filming Locations:

British International Pictures Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mayflower Pictures Corporation See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

This film received its initial USA telecasts in Cincinnati Sunday 2 October 1949 on WLW-T (Channel 4), in Los Angeles Sunday 16 October 1949 on KTLA (Channel 5), in Chicago Sunday 30 October 1949 on WGN (Channel 9), in Atlanta Wednesday 23 November 1949 on WSB (Channel 8), and in New York City Friday 10 March 1950 on WPIX (Channel 11). See more »

Goofs

The shadows on Ginger Ted's verandah change between shots in the opening scenes. In the first shot most of the verandah is in muted shadow, in the next most of it is in full sun with clear shadows. Later, his dog is seen sitting on the verandah in full sun late in the day with the shadows in the same place as earlier. See more »

Connections

Remade as The Beachcomber (1954) See more »

Soundtracks

Sailing, Sailing (Over the Bounding Main)
(uncredited)
Sung by Ginger Ted
Written by Godfrey Marks
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Fine British drama and comedy
20 September 2005 | by raskimono – See all my reviews

It is hard to watch this movie without noticing its similarities, intentional or not to the so-called American classic "The African Queen". I will have to say I enjoyed this movie more. The director whose credits state this as his only movie directs this 1930s movie as it were made in the sixties and seventies when the motif of camera movement became essential. Hand-held cameras are used to good effect. Charles Laughton who is the best film actor of the 20th Century shines again as he totally immerses himself in the part of the scalawag drunk. Elsa Lanchester, a woman with perfect demeanor and grace and wearing absolutely no make up shines as the woman whose aim is to tame the natives and tame the irascible Laughton. Good support from the cast round up this romantic drama. Bogart won an Oscar for doing a role very similar to this one, but Laughton is better. Catch it if you can. It's nice, smartly written, subtle and an English treat.
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