The Beachcomber (1954) User Reviews

On the Beach

[eddie-83 · 6/10 · 26 September 2001]

There were two reasons why I looked forward to seeing 'The Beachcomber'. They were Robert Newton and Glynis Johns. Newton, off-screen a roisterer in the Richard Burton, Trevor Howard mould gave full-blooded performances in movies like 'Blackbeard the Pirate' and 'Treasure Island' and I loved his outrageous, eye-rolling style. And Glynis Johns has one of those scratchy, sexy voices that I find almost irresistible.

Imagine my disappointment to find Ms Johns playing a pious missionary nurse with a Welsh accent and no opportunity to sound sexy. Mind you she was nothing if not versatile, at one stage performing an appendectomy while later healing an elephant's injured trunk. And Newton, ideally cast as a drunken remittance man (the 'black sheep' of an upper class English family being paid to stay away) is at half power throughout, missing every chance for histrionics.

There's some pleasant location Technicolor photography in the pacific islands and a bar-room brawl hammier than anything john Ford ever choreographed for Messrs. Wayne and McGlagen but the practice of blacking up Donald Pleasance, Ronald Lewis and possibly others to play natives is always offensive.

The plot from usually interesting Somerset Maugham is just the old chestnut about the redemptive power of a good woman's love. Though there is another moral to the story – 'an elephant never forgets'

Not as cute as the original

[HotToastyRag · 6/10 · 24 July 2020]

Having seen both versions of The Beachcomber, I like the 1938 original better. The obvious reason is the real-life couple of the costars. How adorable is it to see a gruff Charles Laughton romancing his wife, missionary Elsa Lanchester? Since Robert Newton and Glynis Johns weren't married in real life, the audience didn't get to coo over them.

There's also so much more charm to the original. Seeing Charles Laughton let down his hair and frolic with native island girls is adorable. Seeing Robert Newton pretend to be a drunken bum is slightly less adorable, since he drank himself to death within three years of making the film. He is an excellent actor with natural screen presence, but it is rather sad to watch him in the role so close to the end of his life. Also, he doesn't have nearly as much screen time as Charles did in the original. Much of this movie is dedicated to Glynis and her missionary brother, Donald Sinden, as they go about their work. There is a very pretty theme, though, by Daniele Amfitheatrof, that sets you right on the island with them.

Just because they're singing a Christian song doesn't mean that they've converted.

[mark.waltz · 7/10 · 6 September 2023]

It's obvious when the locals of this beautiful island in the middle of the Indian ocean are singing "Onward Christian Soldiers" while being conducted by missionary Glynis Johns, they're just either mimicking her or enjoying the bouncy melody. At any rate, they obviously have their own spirituality and the staid Johns can't teach them anything new about the God they look to for guidance in this beautiful paradise.

The uptight Johns needs to find a little night music of her own, and when someone sends in the clown Robert Newton to her, she'll have to take it with a dose of a spoonful of sugar. With new law enforcement on the island (led by Donald Sinden), the natives realize that their way of living is at stake, and the hard drinking Newton (banished to the island by his embarrassed British family) must come to her rescue, creating one of the screen's oddest romances.

This beautifully filmed second version of Somerset Maugham's "Vessel of Wrath" is much better in this viewer's opinion, having given the original a third (and final) chance to impress just weeks before. The story is nearly the same, but I appreciated the subtlety of this version. Newton, who played the Sinden role in the original, is far more likeable than Charles Laughton was, and Johns, in the Elsa Lancaster role, is far more balanced. The color photography only enhances the improvements.

Pleasant, nostalgic film

[bamptonj · 17 September 2001]

I watched this movie late at night for Donald Pleasance. I was disappointed by his rather small role, but felt myself strangely intrigued by this romantic romp.

The movie follows drunkard English emigre, 'the honorable Ted', who insists upon getting himself into numerous brawls and disturbances around the island. He comes into contact with the recently appointed governor, who despite being compelled to punish him, soon becomes his good friend. Ted is given considerable contempt for his 'wicked ways' by the local missionaries, a priest and his sister, Ms. Jordan. During the film, there is a gradual convalescence of Ms. Jordan from a fundamental Christian ("Oh, Lord, protect me from the onslaughts of the Unbelievers and their wickedness" she says whilst stranded on the island alone with Ted and a couple of natives) to an understanding, approachable sort.

This change takes place when Ted must sail her back from one of the outlying islands. Despite his rugged appearance, she begins to develop affection for his urbane and nurturing nature, being particularly surprised at his chivalry for not compromising her virtue whilst she they were alone on the island!

Later arrested for further drunkenness, Ted is promised a pardon if he travels with Ms. Jordan to another island to help contain an outbreak of cholera. He reluctantly agrees, but later comes to deeply admire her committal to the safety and health of the natives. The films ends happily with their marriage.

Donald Pleasance is relegated to the unglamorous role of an island native coolie; given the stereotypical boot-polishing and brimmed spectacles of a Western actor attempting an non-western character. He acts proficiently though as the Governor's adjutant, resplendent in imperial white, always loudly organizing his fellow servants as the fade out is about to occur.

The film is surprising relaxed about the formalities of colonization, indeed the colonial administrator is portrayed with much humility in his concern at the outbreak of disease. The film is above all a romance, with Ms. Jordan gradually stripping of her prejudicial conscience, and moments of comedy thrown in by Ted and inadvertently by the machinations of the 50's stereotyping of native islander culture.

Any deep analysis, I think, may destroy the intentions of this film, which is a half-hearted romance/comedy with some humanitarianism thrown in for good measure. Feels like 'The African Queen'!

Top of the Line South Sea Melodrama - The Beachcomber

[arthur_tafero · 7/10 · 26 December 2021]

Glynnis John, Donald Sinden, and Robert Newton all give sterling performances in this delightful Somerset Maugham story about a neer-do-well and a missionary in the South Seas. I have read everything that Maugham has written, as I was obsessed with Tahiti and the South Seas in my youth. No one writes about this venue better than Maugham. He gets the European colonial and he also gets the natives down as well. This is a simple tale of gradual seduction (but we really don't know who is seducing who). John has one of her career best roles, as does Newton. Sinden is perfect as the magistrate of the island. If you like Maugham, you will enjoy this film immensely.

Androcles And The African Queen

[writers_reign · 5/10 · 18 December 2016]

Although based on a short story (Vessel Of Wrath) by Willie Maugham this lacklustre entry makes no attempt to hide an obvious crib from C.S. Forester's African Queen and G.B. Shaw's Androcles And The Lion. As a great admirer of Bobbie Newton this was a 'must' for me - Newton appeared in an earlier version in the role taken here by Donald Sinden which was headlined by king-sized ham Charles Laughton in the role that Newton shows him how to play. Glynis Johns who has, in the past, turned in some half-decent performances is strangely inept and insipid her and there is a notable lack of chemistry between her and Newton. Trivia buffs will point out that Willie Maugham turned in another story involving missionaries in the South Pacific (Rain) and that Ronald Lewis, who blacks up here, did so again in Noel Coward's South Sea Bubble.

Newton and Glynis Johns

[artzau · 9/10 · 12 December 2000]

Ah, unlikely romance. The perky Glynis Johns plays the sister of a rather sanctimonious missionary in the islands while the Honourable Ted, Newton, is the beachcomber. He gets drunk and destructive and is sent off to a penal island and teams up with Glynis Johns to fight a cholera outbreak. Romance blooms and the perky albeit up-tight missionary links up with the good-hearted beachcomber with a great happy ending. The team of cute, pert and perky Glynis Johns (memorable from her roles in No Highway in the Sky, The Sundowners and others) and Newton (Long John Silver), the compleat epitome of piratedom is great. Sadly, no video available but catch it as I did, on the late show. You won't regret it.

The Beachcomber sinks fast.

[st-shot · 4/10 · 3 May 2013]

The Beachcomber is a sloppy piece of storytelling made even worse by having to watch a dissipated Robert Newton go through the motions in the title role. More stomach churning than rollicking it employs all the island comedy situations (whites interacting with indigenous as exploiters and soul savers) with flaccid heavy handed results.

Mr Gray has come to the Welcome Islands to shake things up for the Crown. A laid back place to say the least it has its polar opposites with a brother sister missionary attempting to save souls and a hapless reprobate, "The Honorable Ted" there to soak in the sun and as much liquor as possible. Gray develops a love hate with Ted who he drinks with but also has to sentences to hard labor. The Missionaries feel even less Christian for the fellow. When a cholera epidemic breaks out though Ted is called upon to save the day and maybe even get the girl.

Muriel Box's direction is haphazard and stilted with her cast all tightly fit into stereotypes to play against the racial insensitivity of the "ignorant islanders". Her big sell is getting Newton to be irascible with the proper bores but with about a year left in the tank tragic Bobby can hardly lift a saw, never mind get his enthusiastic con-man inflection up to speed.

Donald Pleasance in a small role scores while Glynnis Johns as one of the missionaries does as well with a touch of cuteness and confidence But with Newton struggling The Beachcomber never even approaches high tide.

Boozing Romeo meets psalm-singing Juliet

[Irie212 · 8/10 · 25 October 2009]

"Anyone who drinks water deserves all they get," says drunkard Ted as he travels to cholera-plagued islands with missionary/nurse Martha.

This is not dazzling film-making, but it is well-done and engaging, with a solid Maugham story, a marvelous turn by Donald Pleasance in his first role (as a perpetually smiling Indonesian clerk), and three notable stars:

Glynis Johns is a delight to watch, and she brings a lot of heart, soul, and spirit to Martha, a woman so inexperienced that she keeps her eyes wide open when a man kisses her for the first time.

Entering with a torn hat, filthy jacket over filthy undershirt, and five o'clock shadow, Robert Newton establishes himself immediately as an irresistible reprobate. Introducing himself to the new colonial kingpin, he scrounges a whiskey, announces that he's been banished from England, and says it's not so bad on Barru island: "There are ways of passing the time. Are you married? (answer no) Well, any time you feel like a little bit of fun, just let me know."

The third star, truly, is the locations in Sri Lanka and the colonial British islands of the South Atlantic. Not just gorgeous—fearfully gorgeous. There is a remarkable scene of an alligator attacking an elephant as it drinks. Hell of a fight, splashing, bellowing. The alligator wounds its trunk, but the elephant soon tramples the reptile, and then-- and this is wonderful—kicks its attacker ashore, and then, instead of just walking away, it kicks the corpse back into the water. That final kick, which is clearly unnecessary, seems almost punitive. And thrillingly deliberate. That elephant is a genuine character in the film-- not a big role, but a crucial one because of the ending, which reminds us that an elephant never forgets.

Cut price film saved by one performance.

[alexanderdavies-99382 · 5/10 · 11 December 2018]

"The Beachcomber" isn't exactly the most extravagant of British films. The background projection which supposedly represents real locations, becomes painfully obvious from the start. The interior sets look tolerable but the murky colour is a disappointment. At least the film has a good pace, a fair degree of incident, some humourous moments and another unforgettable performance from Robert Newton! On more than one occasion, this unfairly neglected actor managed to salvage the most tedious of movies with his acting and personality. So he does here. It is rather unfortunate that Robert Newton would live only another two years after "The Beachcomber" came out in 1954. He had been largely reduced to playing caricatures of his real self. In my opinion, he is easily the equal of Olivier, Guinness, Richardson and Gielgud. The supporting cast are a dull bunch and look as though they qualify for being bank clerks! Donald Pleasence does ok in the limited screen time he has. I enjoyed the scenes where Newton and his leading lady, Glynis Johns are having to spend the night together on the same island. Very amusing interplay between them.

No Passion for Newton and Johns

[wes-connors · 4/10 · 28 April 2013]

The British-owned South Georgia islands welcome a new governor, young Donald Sinden (as Ewart Gray). Because his home is not ready, Mr. Sinden temporarily stays with beautiful missionary Glynis Johns (as Martha Jones) and meets the area's most colorful resident - boozing beachcomber Robert Newton (as Edward "The Honorable Ted" Wilson). This sounds like a steamy W. Somerset Maugham story because it is ("The Vessel of Wrath"). His drinking repeatedly gets Mr. Newton in trouble and Sinden finally sentences him to three months hard labor. This is better than being deported to Australia...

Newton prefers much younger native women as lovers, and also attracts the straight-laced Ms. Johns, who crosses paths with him while performing missionary work for her doctor brother Paul Rogers (as Owen Jones). During an outbreak of cholera, Newton and Johns become mutually attracted. Sad to say, neither Newton nor Johns hold much interest. Even worse, their romance is not believable. The most obvious solution to this problem would have been to cast an actress who could add a "spinster" quality to the female role. This is not to say there is no "chemistry" possible for Newton and Johns - they just don't have it here...

**** The Beachcomber (8/10/54) Muriel Box ~ Glynis Johns, Robert Newton, Donald Sinden, Paul Rogers

Unlikely romance.

[Marinalindsay · 8/10 · 18 February 2012]

Having seen the 1938 Charles Laughton version, with a young and handsome Robert Newton in a minor role, I was intrigued to see the 1954 version. Although Laughton was a great character actor I was unmoved by the quirky 'romance' in the story. However, many years after his brief appearance with Laughton-and several pounds heavier, Newton is endearingly charming as the incorrigible Ted. He pervades warmth through the screen and his eyes are full of mischief-he clearly enjoyed this role (not too far removed from his own lovable but rebellious nature). There is a real chemistry between him and Glynis Johns-all the ladies in fact-and he appears to improvise for comic effect, several times. The minor characters lack charisma but all in all, this is a sweet and up-lifting film with a beautiful location.

Pleasant romantic comedy

[coltras35 · 8/10 · 29 May 2021]

Romantic drama adapted from a story by Somerset Maugham stars Glynis Johns and Robert Newton, who make a good pair, though vastly different from each other , as one's a hard drinking beachcomber and other is a psalm-singing missionary nurse, but that's part of fun cause you know that adage "never Twain shall meet" slowly ebbs away, especially when they end up battling cholera-infected island. This British film also stars Donald pleasance, who does a fine job as governor's adjutant, and Donald Sinden.

The story -Mr. Gray (Donald Sinden) is the new Resident in Charge of the Welcome Islands in the Indian Ocean. The Islands are full of life; the only other Europeans are the "sanctimonious, psalm-singing" brother-sister missionary team of Martha and Owen Jordans(Glynis Johns and Paul Rogers), and the Honourable Ted (Robert Newton) - a hard-drinking, womanizing social outcast whose English family pays him to stay away. Martha and Ted become an unlikely team when cholera threatens the islands and they must do their best to stop its spread.

The Beachcomber is a well-made, well-acted British romantic comedy with great performances from all the actors, especially from Glynis and Robert - they are both charming and comical. The island and its inhabitants and the tribulations they experience is nicely-etched. A pleasant afternoon film.

On the Beach

[richardchatten · 8/10 · 12 May 2023]

Muriel Box's first film in Technicolor is conspicuous by its absence from the current season on the South Bank; the presence of Donald Pleasance and Michael Hordern in blackface (the latter rendered almost recognisable under huge moustache) probably doesn't help. This second version of the novel by Somerset Maugham can however be seen by discerning viewers thanks to the miracle of Talking Pictures.

Although inevitably it can only fail to rise to the heights of the 1938 version but Robert Newton is a more than adequate substitute for Charles Laughton, while Glynis Jones (soon to celebrate her hundredth birthday) entirely lacks the eccentricity of the unique Elsa Lanchester but amply supplies her own cow-eyed charm.