Laughter in Paradise
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | 1951 |
| Founder | Mario Zampi |
| Products | Comedy film |
Laughter in Paradise is a British comedy film from 1951, both directed and produced by Mario Zampi. The cast includes Alastair Sim, Fay Compton, George Cole, and Guy Middleton. The screenplay was penned by Jack Davies and Michael Pertwee. This film was later adapted into the 1970 movie Some Will, Some Won't.
Plot
The story revolves around Henry Russell, a mischievous prankster, who leaves £50,000 to each of his four surviving relatives in his will, but only if they complete tasks that contradict their usual personalities.
Deniston Russell, a retired army officer who writes detective novels under pseudonyms, must get himself arrested and serve 28 days in jail within one week. Agnes Russell, characterized by her snobbish nature, is required to work as a domestic servant for an entire month. Simon Russell, a penniless womanizer, is tasked with marrying the first unmarried woman he encounters. Finally, Herbert Russell, a shy individual, has to rob his bank manager using a mask and a toy pistol to briefly obtain the bank keys.
Deniston manages to fulfill his challenge by breaking a shop window and assaulting a policeman, which costs him his fiancée but earns the loyalty of his secretary Sheila. Agnes finds employment with the demanding Gordon Webb, who initially dismisses her but rehires her as part of the challenge. Meanwhile, a private investigator hired to watch over Agnes falls for Gordon's daughter Joan, whom Agnes encourages to seek happiness. Simon breaks his promise but ultimately marries Lucille, the impoverished niece of his butler. Herbert accidentally disrupts an actual robbery during his task and becomes celebrated as a hero, securing a branch manager role and winning the affection of colleague Susan.
In the end, the executor reveals that no money exists—the entire arrangement was Henry’s final prank. The heirs respond with laughter; Simon joins in after spotting his scheming wife awaiting him with champagne.
Cast
- Alastair Sim as Deniston Russell
- Fay Compton as Agnes Russell
- Guy Middleton as Simon Russell
- George Cole as Herbert Russell
- Hugh Griffith as Henry Russell
- Ernest Thesiger as Endicott, executor of Henry's estate
- Beatrice Campbell as Lucille Grayson
- Mackenzie Ward as Benson, Simon's butler
- Joyce Grenfell as Elizabeth Robson
- A. E. Matthews as Sir Charles Robson
- John Laurie as Gordon Webb
- Veronica Hurst as Joan Webb
- Anthony Steel as Roger Godfrey
- Eleanor Summerfield as Sheila Wilcott
- Charlotte Mitchell as Ethel, maid to Agnes
- Leslie Dwyer as Police sergeant
- Colin Gordon as Police constable
- Ronald Adam as Wagstaffe, bank manager
- Michael Pertwee as Stewart, bank employee
- Mary Germaine as Susan Heath
- Audrey Hepburn as Frieda, cigarette girl
- Noel Howlett as Clerk of the Court
- Martin Boddey as store detective
- Arthur Howard as train passenger with Herbert (uncredited)
Both Eleanor Summerfield and Noel Howlett appeared in separate roles in the 1970 remake Some Will, Some Won't.
Production
This film represents Audrey Hepburn’s first professional screen appearance (apart from brief parts in the 1948 Dutch film Dutch in Seven Lessons and the minor role in 1951’s One Wild Oat), featuring two brief scenes totaling 43 seconds. These moments were later reenacted by Jennifer Love Hewitt in the 2000 biographical film The Audrey Hepburn Story. Anthony Steel also had a minor part in this production. Editor Giulio Zampi went on to produce the 1970 remake Some Will, Some Won't.
Box office
Laughter in Paradise secured the position of the fourth highest-grossing British film at the box office in 1951.
Critical
According to The Monthly Film Bulletin, although the screenplay contained several genuinely humorous concepts, it did not quite achieve the briskness and flair characteristic of premier comedies. While some actors delivered somewhat stereotypical portrayals, much of the comedy arose from George Cole’s subtle interpretation of a bank clerk and Alastair Sim’s richly entertaining depiction of the writer.
In 1951, the New York Times characterized the film as a "pleasant but not particularly surprising comedy."
Contemporary assessments continue to be favorable: David Parkinson from Radio Times gave it four stars out of five, commending Alastair Sim’s "remarkable performance" and singling out a comedic shoplifting scene for special mention. Britmovie described it as "a reliable British comedy with lively execution that rarely falters."
External links
- Modern Review at screenonline
- Contemporaneous Review (June 1951) at screenonline