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      Beachcomber

      1938 1h 22m Drama List
      Reviews British-born beachcomber Ginger Ted (Charles Laughton) leads a genially dissolute life on a Dutch colonial island in the South Seas. When a pair of missionaries, Dr. Owen Jones (Tyrone Guthrie) and his sister, Martha (Elsa Lanchester), claim Ginger Ted corrupts the innocent native women, he's temporarily banished. However, his acts of selflessness endear Ted to the siblings, and, when a virulent typhoid outbreak causes the natives to turn on the missionaries, he attempts to save the day. Read More Read Less

      Critics Reviews

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      Otis Ferguson The New Republic To a fair degree it is Charles Laughton's picture, and he is all through it grand. May 7, 2024 Full Review John Kinloch California Eagle The Beachcomber returns Charles Laughton to the screen in one of his most striking portrayals. Oct 31, 2019 Full Review Fernando F. Croce CinePassion The material would be later revisited in The African Queen, but hardly with the knowing gender nuttiness of Laughton and Lanchester Jun 3, 2010 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      kevin w Thoroughly English, old boy, a reprobate drinks and whores his life away in the tropics until a missionary's sister saves him from himself ... hey, that's the story from the African Queen! Only here's it's English, old boy, didn't you hear me, and they did it first. Charlie Laughton and Elsa Lanchester bring on the noise in this seldom seen adventure tale Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review bill t Plenty annoying movie with Mr. Warmth himself, Charles Laughton starring as a drunk living on some remote Dutch island much to the amusement of the magistrate there, but much to the horror of the nurse/teacher who has made it her life's work to tame the savages as you will. Film goes all over the place, from cultural clash to yes, jungle adventure movie. Doesn't help that Elsa Manchester is acting herself up into a tither. Not at all interesting. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Laughton can play both comedy and dramatic roles effectively. Great chemistry between Lanchester and Laughton. Very funny! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/02/23 Full Review Audience Member good chemistry with Laughton and Lanchester Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Beachcomber

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      Movie Info

      Synopsis British-born beachcomber Ginger Ted (Charles Laughton) leads a genially dissolute life on a Dutch colonial island in the South Seas. When a pair of missionaries, Dr. Owen Jones (Tyrone Guthrie) and his sister, Martha (Elsa Lanchester), claim Ginger Ted corrupts the innocent native women, he's temporarily banished. However, his acts of selflessness endear Ted to the siblings, and, when a virulent typhoid outbreak causes the natives to turn on the missionaries, he attempts to save the day.
      Director
      Erich Pommer
      Screenwriter
      Bartlett Cormack
      Production Co
      Paramount
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Runtime
      1h 22m