Paradise Lagoon (1957)

In 1905, Lord Henry Loam, his family and his servants are shipwrecked on a deserted island where the survival of the fittest renders the rigid class system irrelevant.

Director:

Lewis Gilbert

Writers:

Vernon Harris (screenplay), J.M. Barrie (play)

Stars:

Kenneth More, Diane Cilento, Cecil Parker

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kenneth More	...	Crichton
Diane Cilento	...	Tweeny
Cecil Parker	...	Lord Loam
Sally Ann Howes	...	Lady Mary
Martita Hunt	...	Lady Brocklehurst
Jack Watling	...	Treherne
Peter Graves	...	Brocklehurst
Gerald Harper	...	Ernest
Mercy Haystead	...	Catherine
Miranda Connell	...	Agatha
Miles Malleson	...	Vicar
Eddie Byrne	...	Captain
Joan Young	...	Mrs. Perkins
Brenda Hogan	...	Fisher
Peter Welch	...	Rolleston

Storyline

Lord Loam has modern ideas about his household; he believes in treating his servants as his equals - at least sometimes. His butler, Crichton, still believes that members of the serving class should know their place and be happy there. But when the Loam family are shipwrecked on a desert island with the self-reliant Crichton and between maid Tweeny, the class system is put to the test.

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Plot Keywords:

bare chested male | class differences | marriage engagement | hairy chest | beach | 

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Taglines:

(as Paradise Lagoon) Shipwrecked in Paradise!

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was released in the US as "Paradise Lagoon." The distributors feared that if they used the original J.M. Barrie title the public would think the film was about a naval officer.

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Goofs

When land is first sighted, Tweeny has only one arm on the oar when the binoculars are passed to Crichton. In the next shot, when Crichton is looking through the binoculars, she has both arms on the oar.

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Quotes

Lady Mary: Why don't you come deer hunting with me sometime?
Bill Crichton: Ooh! I might find myself chasing the wrong dear.

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Crazy Credits

Opening credits prologue: LOAM HALL ENGLAND 1905

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Connections

Version of The Admirable Crichton (1918)

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Soundtracks

Molly Malone
(uncredited)
Generally regarded as a traditional song, but lyrics are sometimes attributed to James Yorkston with music arranged by Edmund Forman
Sung by Cecil Parker (Lord Loam) on the island

User Reviews

Straightforward Version of a Barrie Classic

PARADISE ISLAND (UK title THE ADMIRABLE CRICHTON) is a Technicolor version of the old Barrie classic. Filmed by Rank at the height of its studio period, it stars Kenneth More in the eponymous role as the butler who manages to adapt to life on a desert island. More isn't the most obvious personality to play a butler - his breezy screen persona projected a more louche image than that expected of a gentleman in service - but he makes a good stab at the role. He is complemented in the film by Cecil Parker as his employer. A much underrated actor, Parker was extremely good at playing harassed males of a certain vintage - outwardly authoritative yet inwardly insecure. In this production it's clear that he cannot manage without Crichton. Director Lewis Gilbert handles familiar material with élan, making this a satisfying piece of entertainment.

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 December 1957 (USA)

Also Known As:

Paradise Lagoon

Filming Locations:

Bermuda

Company Credits

Production Co:

Modern Screen Play

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.75 : 1