The Demi-Paradise
The Demi-Paradise (also known as Adventure for Two) is a 1943 British[1] comedy film made by Two Cities Films. It stars Laurence Olivier as a Soviet Russian inventor who travels to England to have his revolutionary propeller manufactured, and Penelope Dudley-Ward as the woman who falls in love with him. It was directed by Anthony Asquith and produced by Anatole de Grunwald and Filippo Del Giudice from a screenplay by de Grunwald. The music score was by Nicholas Brodszky and the cinematography by Bernard Knowles.
| The Demi-Paradise | |
|---|---|
.jpg.webp) Danish theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Anthony Asquith |
| Produced by | Filippo Del Giudice Anatole de Grunwald |
| Written by | Anatole de Grunwald |
| Starring | Laurence Olivier Margaret Rutherford |
| Music by | Nicholas Brodszky |
| Cinematography | Bernard Knowles |
| Edited by | Renee Woods |
| Distributed by | Two Cities Films |
Release date | 20 December 1943 (UK) |
Running time | 114 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
The film is a gentle satire on the values the English hold so dear. It was designed to encourage sympathy between Britain and the Soviet Union. The film's title is a reference to John of Gaunt's famous speech in Richard II which begins:
- This royal throne of kings, this scepter'd isle,
- This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,
- This other Eden, demi-paradise
Plot summary
Ivan Kouznetsoff (Laurence Olivier), a Russian inventor, travels to England to introduce the British shipping industry to his newly invented and improved propeller blade. There he meets socialite Anne Tisdall (Penelope Dudley-Ward), and falls for her. Meeting Anne and hearing her views turn his own previous conceptions about the capitalist system and its degenerates upside down. After a lovers' quarrel, Ivan heads back to Russian only to be recalled to England a year later to smooth out imperfections in his design. Despite his efforts, his modifications prove to be unsound and he seems destined to return to the Soviet Union in disgrace.
Anne convinces the local shipbuilders to work around the clock in order to realise the revolutionary propeller. Soon they solve the problem, and there is a very successful launch of the new line of ships. Ivan can return to the Soviet Union to aid the war effort, enriched by Anne's love.[2]
Cast
- Laurence Olivier as Ivan Kouznetsoff
- Penelope Dudley-Ward as Ann Tisdall (as Penelope Ward)
- Marjorie Fielding as Mrs. Tisdall
- Margaret Rutherford as Rowena Ventnor
- Felix Aylmer as Mr. Runalow, a noted expert in naval engineering, head of the firm Kouznetsoff deals with, and Ann's grandfather
- George Thorpe as Herbert Tisdall
- Leslie Henson as himself
- Guy Middleton as Dick Christian
- Michael Shepley as Mr. Walford
- Edie Martin as Miss Winifred Tisdall
- Muriel Aked as Mrs. Tisdall-Stanton
- Joyce Grenfell as Sybil Paulson
- Everley Gregg as Mrs. Flannel
- Jack Watling as Tom
- David Keir as Jordan
- Aubrey Mallalieu as Toomes
- Beatrice Harrison as herself
Miles Malleson, John Laurie, George Cole and Wilfrid Hyde-White had minor roles.