The Demi-Paradise (1943)

Synopsis: Made in 1943, THE DEMI-PARADISE, a good-for-the-war-effort romantic comedy directed by Anthony Asquith, for the most part avoids outright propaganda, but clearly intends to cement the new... Made in 1943, THE DEMI-PARADISE, a good-for-the-war-effort romantic comedy directed by Anthony Asquith, for the most part avoids outright propaganda, but clearly intends to cement the new Russian-British alliance while praising the spirit and efforts of people on the home front. Laurence Olivier plays Ivan Kouzentsoss, an engineer who comes to England in 1938 to work on the production of his new propeller for ice breakers. At first he finds the British to conform to his prejudices, seeing them as a stiff, humorless nation of shopkeepers, while they find him cold and given to didactic pontificating on everything from politics to dancing. Lady Ann (Penelope Ward), the high spirited daughter of the eccentric shipbuilder Ivan works with, finds him charming and tries to introduce him to British culture. She tries everything from comedian Leslie Henson, to a local Historical Pageant. But just as their romance starts, he has to return to Russia for a year. Just after his return in 1939, the war begins and he sees the British spirit of resistance and generosity when the proceeds of the pageant that year are given to war relief in his home town in Russia. Laurence Olivier is quite amusing as the dour Russian who learns to laugh. Penelope Ward gives a fine performance as the English rose who can take a little tweaking of British tradition. The speeches about how the Russians and English will remains friends after the war provide for an unintentionally bittersweet note. [More]

Starring: Laurence Olivier, Penelope Dudley-Ward, Felix Aylmer, Margaret Rutherford

Starring: Laurence Olivier, Penelope Dudley-Ward, Felix Aylmer, Margaret Rutherford, Joyce Grenfell

Director: Anthony Asquith

Director: Anthony Asquith
Screenwriter: Anatole De Grunwald

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