Paradise Lagoon (1957)

Paradise Lagoon (AKA The Admirable Chrichton)
Directed by Lewis Gilbert
Written by Vernon Harris and Lewis Gilbert from the play by J.M. Barry
1957/UK
Modern Screen Play
First viewing/YouTube

[box] Lady Brocklehurst:  Listen when anyone begins to answer with “The fact is… ”  Because that is, usually, the beginning of a lie.[/box]

This is a pleasant, old-fashioned comedy of manners.

Lord Loam (Cecil Parker) claims to believe in the complete equality of man.  His butler Crichton (Kenneth Moore) does not.  The Lord tries to prove his magnanimity by inviting the entire staff to tea with his wealthy friends.  He only succeeds in making everyone uncomfortable.  The party is such a disaster that Chrichton suggests taking a long sea voyage until it is forgotten.  Loam agrees and invites his three daughters and their fiances to accompany him.

The yacht founders and Lord Loam, his family, Crichton and a between stairs maid end up stranded on a desert island.  The masters expect the servants to continue to wait on them.  But Chrichton is the natural leader and things work out as might be expected. After two long years all the people have changed a lot.  What will happen back in London once they are rescued?  With Sally Anne Howe as the Lord’s eldest daughter, Martita Hunt as an imperious grand dame, and Diane Cliento as the maid.

The film does not move much beyond the confines of the stage play.  I was familiar with the story without actually having seen it before and enjoyed the film very much.