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.
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.