weezeralfalfa Review of Paradise Lagoon

Paradise Lagoon (1957)

Cinderella story + Social order turns upside down on tropical island refuge

[8/10 · 15 January 2018]

Based upon J.M. Barrie's 1902 stage comedy titled "Admirable Crichton". The 1957 film was released in the UK with the same title, and was a box office success. But, the title was changed for the US release because it was feared that too many people would mistake 'admiral' for 'admirable', and turn away..... The outside shoots were done in Bermuda......One of the main characters is Eliza, often called Tweeny. Tweeny was a commonly used informal title used for young women servants who commonly aided the butler, the cook and/or the housekeeper. In the household of Lord Henry Loam, she was one of a number of maids. However, among the survivors of the demise of Lord Loam's storm-damaged yacht, she was the only female of the servant class in the lifeboat we follow, the other 3 young women being daughters of Lord Loam. It turned out that she was the only woman skilled in cooking under the prevailing primitive conditions. Also, butler Bill Crichton was the only man of the servant class in that lifeboat. When it came to practical survival skills on the deserted south Seas island, he was often the only useful person. Thus, initially, only he was successful at lighting fires, and procuring food. The 3 aristocratic men were pictured as being initially virtually helpless when it came to various basic survival skills. Some of them eventually became proficient at these skills.....Eventually, Crichton is formally acknowledged as 'Governor' and is treated as the alpha male by the others. Crichton dallies with both Tweeny and Loam's daughter Mary. After 2 years on the island, Crichton announces that he and Marry will marry iminnently. However, during the wedding ceremony, a passing British ship is sighted, disrupting the ceremony. Everyone is hesitant to hail the ship, as everyone is now enjoying their stay on the island. However, Crichton acknowledges a general feeling that they should get back to England eventually, and this may be their only chance for a long time. Hence, a bond fire is made , attracking the ship. When the envoys arrive, Crichton has doned his butler uniform and acts the role of butler. Also, it's implied that his romance with Mary is finished, as they are, once again, of different classes. Thus, Tweeny has another chance with Crichton. A complication is that Crichton had collected a series of valuable pearls, and thus can afford more than a butler could normally afford. After the group arrives in the UK, Crichton and Mary resume some romantic talk, now that he is independently wealthy. It's decided that Crichton cannot continue in his butler role in this circumstance. Crichton must now make a choice between Mary and Tweeny. There is a bit of a switcheroo drama here. Among other things, this screenplay is a Cinderella story. It's ironic that Crichton, who always said that the classes should be kept separate, should go along with the turning upside down of the classes while on the island, with Lord Loam serving Crichton breakfast in bed, for example. On the other hand, he did rather distance himself from the others once his new status as the de facto leader of the colony was solidified. It's also ironic that Lord Loam, who was always saying that the aristocracy and servants should be treated as equals, disapproved of daughter Catherine's participation in the women's suffrage. Also, he seemed to be treating Crichton with deference during their time of role reversal..... We only followed the people in one lifeboat, the others having been picked up by a ship and sent to the UK. It seems strange that this ship didn't also sight the liferaft we followed. Also, over time on the island, more things appeared that they couldn't have made themselves. Instead of their clothes wearing out, they seemed to have made new clothes, for example.......Of course, in reality, not all servants or commoners would be as versatile as Crichton, and not all aristocrats would be so lacking in practical skills. These are largely false stereotypes.