The Beachcomber ** (1954, Glynis Johns, Robert Newton, Donald Sinden, Paul Rogers) – Classic Movie Review 10,168

Director Muriel Box’s 1954 British Technicolor drama The Beachcomber stars a well-cast Robert Newton, who catches the eye and ear as ‘Honorable Ted’ Wilson, an East Indies island drunk (Newton was himself a famous alcoholic), who encounters the wrath of zealous minister the Reverend Owen Jones (Paul Rogers) and his sister Martha Jones (Glynis Johns), in this second film of W Somerset Maugham’s novel Vessel of Wrath.

After some dithering and skirmishing, including operations on both local chief The Headman (Michael Hordern) and an elephant, an outbreak of cholera finally galvanises Ted (Newton) and Martha (Johns), who sees him in a romantic light when he helps her battle the epidemic. Donald Sinden also stars as Ewart Gray, the new Resident-in-Charge of the Welcome Islands in the Indian Ocean.

The attempt of the husband and wife team of Muriel and writer Sydney Box to improve on the 1938 Charles Laughton film Vessel of Wrath falls well short except in the performance department, with notable turns from both the stars and the support. Donald Pleasence’s debut, aged 35, as Tromp.

Newton appeared in the 1938 version as The Controleur.

Also in the mostly Brit cast are Donald Sinden, Paul Rogers, Walter Crisham, Ronald Lewis, Auric Lorand, Tony Quinn, Ronald Adam, Kim Parker, Wanda Sinclair.

It is made at Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, and on location at Welcome Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, and Sri Lanka.

Robert Newton (1905–1956).

Newton’s performance as Long John Silver in Treasure Island is the definitive one. After staying sober for Around the World in 80 Days, he went on a drinking marathon and died at age 50 of an alcohol-related heart attack.

Welsh actor Ronald Lewis is remembered as an aggressive and unstable man, with a history of violence towards others, including women and gays. After his career slackened off, he was declared bankrupt and he committed suicide by barbiturate overdose  on 11 January 1982 in Pimlico, London.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 10,168

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