6.9/10
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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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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 »
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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 »
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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

 
Good Comedy
25 January 2007 | by pluce17 – See all my reviews

This is a pretty broad comedy with some fun performances by Laughton, Lanchester and Newton. The plot's rather thin and really relies on the great character work by all involved.

Even though the characters seem to transform far too quickly for my tastes, you almost don't even care because it's so enjoyable to see.

Frankly, I'd almost recommend this film just to see Charles Laughton's classic facial expressions alone.

Obviously The African Queen owes much to The Beachcomber and while the former is the superior film, I'd recommend this to any fan of Laughton, Lanchester and 1930's romantic comedies.
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