Laughter in Paradise

1951

Directed By

Mario Zampi

Synopsis

Starring the great Alastair Sim (The Green Man, School for Scoundrels), directed by Mario Zampi (Mr. Potts Goes to Moscow) and written by Jack Davies (Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines…) and Michael Pertwee (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum), Laughter in Paradise is an  enormously entertaining black comedy originally released in 1951.

The four remaining relatives of famed practical joker Henry Russell are brought together to hear his last will and testament, revealing a £50,000 inheritance for each of them, if they can complete a set task that is completely at odds with their character. The assignments are designed to reflect their greatest shortcomings and test their ability to adapt, and ultimately change for the better. Law-abiding retired army officer Deniston (Alastair Sim) secretly writes scandalous novels, until he is given a week to get himself arrested for an actual crime and jailed for exactly 28 days. Haughty Agnes (Fay Compton) must find employment as a housekeeper in a middle-class home and retain her position for a month despite her disdain. Simon (Guy Middleton), a penniless womanising rogue, has to marry the first single woman he speaks to, such as the cigarette girl at the club he frequents (Audrey Hepburn). Finally, timid Herbert (George Cole) needs to hold up the bank manager he works for with a mask and a toy pistol. What could possibly go wrong?

Supporting Sim are a veritable who’s who of the era including George Cole (The Happiest Days of Your Life, The Green Man), Fay Compton (The Haunting), Guy Middleton (The Captive Heart) and Hugh Griffith (Ben-Hur). The film also features an extremely early appearance on film from a young Audrey Hepburn.

Cast
Alastair Sim, Fay Compton, George Cole, Guy Middleton, Hugh Griffith
Release Date
29 June 2020
extras
  • New Alastair Sim and Laughter in Paradise: Interview with Stephen Fry
  • Ministry of Information short Nero: Save Fuel (1943) starring Alastair Sim & George Cole
  • Behind The Scenes Stills Gallery
  • Alastair Sim’s Rectorial Address at Edinburgh University (1949) – Audio only
  • Easter Egg
  • English SDH
Restoration Details

For the 2020 restoration of Laughter in Paradise, STUDIOCANAL went back to the original camera negative where possible and alternative sources where severe damage that could not be repaired was encountered. These elements were scanned at 4K resolution in 10bit and then restored in 4k.

Pressbook

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