The Admirable Crichton (1957) ( Paradise Lagoon )

The Admirable Crichton (1957) (DVD) (*)

~~$20.99~~ $17.98

Alternate Title: Paradise Lagoon
Language Selections:
English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )
English ( Subtitles )
Spanish ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )
Spanish ( Subtitles )

Product Origin/Format:
Spain ( PAL/Region 0 )

Running Time:
90 min

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen

Special Features:
Interactive Menu
Scene Access

Movie filmed in 1957 and produced in:
United Kingdom ( Great Britain, Ireland )

Directed By:
Lewis Gilbert

Written By:
J.M. Barrie
Lewis Gilbert

Actors:
Kenneth More ..... Bill Crichton
Diane Cilento ..... Eliza Tweeny
Cecil Parker ..... Lord Henry Loam
Sally Ann Howes ..... Lady Mary
Martita Hunt ..... Lady Brocklehurst
Jack Watling ..... John Treherne
Peter Graves ..... George Brocklehurst
Gerald Harper ..... Ernest Woolley
Mercy Haystead ..... Lady Catherine
Miranda Connell ..... Lady Agatha
Miles Malleson ..... Vicar
Eddie Byrne ..... Captain
Joan Young ..... Mrs. Perkins
Brenda Hogan ..... Fisher
Peter Welch ..... Rolleston

Synopsis:

Paradise Lagoon is the American release title of the British The Admirable Crichton. In this Technicolor adaptation of James M. Barrie's oft-filmed stage play, Kenneth More stars as Crichton, the super-efficient butler for a family of haughty British aristocrats. Though More is true master of the household, he keeps his place, honoring the tightly regulated social structure of turn-of-the-century England. When the family, and its servants, are shipwrecked and marooned on a desert island, only Crichton has the skill and resourcefulness to keep everyone alive. Within a few months, the social order has been reversed: Crichton is the "governor", while his former employers are his willing and eager servants. Lady Mary (Sally Ann Howes), assuming that she will never be able to return to her veddy proper fiance, falls in love with Crichton. But once the castaways are rescued and returned to their London estate, the original master-servant status quo is restored. His marriage to Lady Mary now an impossibility-a fact stressed in no uncertain terms by the young lady herself-Crichton calmly packs his bags and leaves, in the company of maidservant Tweeny (Diane Cilento), who has loved him all along. Barries' satirical jabs at class consciousness (notably in the closing "interrogation scene", conducted by the imperious Lady Brocklehurst Martita Hunt) were not altogether relevant in 1957; thus, Paradise Lagoon concentrates on the property's farcical and romantic elements. Taking advantage of its tropical setting, the film also permitted the tired businessmen in the audience to gaze upon the luscious Sally Ann Howes and Diane Cilento in halter tops and short-shorts.

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 lady's maid Tweeny, the class system is put to the test.

Kenneth More stars as Crichton, the impeccable butler to Lord Henry Loam (Cecil Parker) in Lewis Gilberts evergreen British comedy classic. Crichton is a man who knows his place in the grand scheme of things. He's supremely happy being a gentleman's gentleman - until fate takes a strange twist!

This product was added to our catalog on Tuesday 23 March, 2021.