L'Admirable Crichton

The 1957 version of the classic J.M. Barrie play -- yes, he wrote something besides Peter Pan -- benefits from its opening up, with a lot of shooting in Bermuda. Kenneth More is the butler who, when the yacht sinks, becomes the leader of the aristos by dint of his understanding that work must be done and how to do it; by the time they are unwillingly rescued, he's got the island organized and built up like a Buster Keaton set.

Cecil Parker plays his fuddy-duddy upper-class twit, but here clearly takes pleasure in playing against type in the scenes where he's Kenneth More's manservant. I thought it a bit odd that Diane Cilento played 'Tweenie' and Sally Ann Howes Parker's daughter; were I casting it, I would have switched those roles. Both ladies acquit themselves well. Martitia Hunt has a great small role as Lady Bracknell..... I mean Lady Brocklehurst.

Wow what a great film, I can't believe this isn't considered one of the great classics of all time! More is perfect as Crichton, super-butler (and inspiration for the Red Dwarf character), who takes charge when the nice(-ish) but (very) dim family he serves are shipwrecked. Lots of hilarity in the early stages - (especially the classy dialog between Crichton and the ship's captain - "Will she sink?", "Not unless the engine blows up" (BOOM) "What, like that?" - hilarious), then a really nicely worked role-reversal sequence after they have settled in to their island paradise (although the whole "guv"-"daddy" thing sounds a bit strained and weird). Some interesting ideas about people's roles in society, the importance of leadership and heirarchy, in a gorgeous looking movie, with beautiful people in lovely period/desert island clothing, stunning scenery and a great beachhouse rivalling Swiss Family Robinson's. All the characters blossom under the sun and question their own attitudes and status in life, and show some really eye-opening attitudes (for the time) as the blokes start getting frisky. Poor little Tweeny's predicament nearly had me in tears! Looks like it's heading for a sad ending but works out almost lovely, a really enjoyable, heartwarming adventure/romance yarn with a nice chunk of social commentary and toff-bashing thrown in. Thoroughly recommended to anyone who likes a bit of old-fashioned, old-world entertainment now and again.

PARADISE ISLAND (UK title THE ADMIRABLE CRICHTON) is a Technicolor version of the old Barrie classic. Filmed by Rank at the height of its studio period, it stars Kenneth More in the eponymous role as the butler who manages to adapt to life on a desert island. More isn't the most obvious personality to play a butler - his breezy screen persona projected a more louche image than that expected of a gentleman in service - but he makes a good stab at the role. He is complemented in the film by Cecil Parker as his employer. A much underrated actor, Parker was extremely good at playing harassed males of a certain vintage - outwardly authoritative yet inwardly insecure. In this production it's clear that he cannot manage without Crichton. Director Lewis Gilbert handles familiar material with élan, making this a satisfying piece of entertainment.

This movie pokes fun at the English class system, using a shipwrecked cast as a backdrop. Kenneth More plays a typically English Butler with plenty of savvy, and reverses roles with his Master, Lord Loam, played rather nicely by Cecil Parker. More's character shows wit and some creativity in adverse circumstances, and is charmingly played. Kenneth More looks distinguished in a dinner jacket however on the island scenes, he actually was photographed from the waist up, to disguise the fact that he was wearing shorts to help him deal with the heat on location. Great movie, and one I would very much like to own a copy of. If anyone knows how I might obtain one, please get in touch. My e-mail is firehouse5@gmail.com.

Fabulous film with a moral to please all. Great cast, great story, great filming. One for everyone to enjoy and not as hammy as some of these older films. See it and judge for yourself !!