The Beachcomber (1938)

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

2 wins.

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	...	Lia
D.A. Ward	...	Albert
J. Solomon	...	Sgt. Henrik

Storyline

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

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Plot Keywords:

beachcomber | spinster schoolteacher | typhoid fever | south seas | religious conversion | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

G

Did You Know?

Trivia

Robert Newton would also appear in the 1954 remake "The Beachcomber," this time playing the lead, opposite Glynis Johns.

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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.

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Connections

Remade as The Beachcomber (1954)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Fine British drama and comedy

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.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 December 1938 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Beachcomber

Filming Locations:

British International Pictures Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mayflower Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1