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Beachcomber

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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.

Critics Reviews

View All (3) Critics Reviews
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

View All (5) audience reviews
Steve D One of it's stars worst. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 08/29/24 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
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