British Comedy Guide
Laughter In Paradise. Image shows from L to R: Captain James Deniston Russell (Alastair Sim), Station Constable (Colin Gordon)
Laughter In Paradise

Laughter In Paradise

  • 1951 film

Comedy about four people who face tough challenges as set out in a relative's will. Stars Alastair Sim, Fay Compton, Beatrice Campbell, Guy Middleton, A.E. Matthews and more.

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Laughter In Paradise. Image shows from L to R: Captain James Deniston Russell (Alastair Sim), Station Constable (Colin Gordon)

Key details

Genre
Film
Released
1951
Stars
Alastair Sim, Fay Compton, Beatrice Campbell, Guy Middleton, A.E. Matthews, Joyce Grenfell, Anthony Steel, John Laurie and more
Writers
Michael Pertwee and Jack Davies
Director
Mario Zampi
Producer
Mario Zampi
Company

Renowned practical joker Henry Russell dies, leaving each of his four surviving relatives £50,000 - upon the condition that they meet the obligations of a very specific, tailored task in order to inherit.

Gathering for the reading of the will, his uptight sister Agnes is particularly outraged, and learns she must find and keep gainful employment as a domestic maid for at least a month. Cousin Simon, a rakish playboy, is instructed to marry the first single woman he speaks to after leaving the room; mild-mannered bank clerk Herbert must hold up his own bank manager at (toy) gun-point; and retired army officer Deniston - now a secret trash-novel author with a range of pseudonyms - must be convicted of a crime and spend at least 28 days in prison.

As each of the four begins to consider and set about their respective tasks with some trepidation, they find not just their worlds challenged, but their entire personalities. Can Herbert summon the courage to even stand up to his boss in a normal environment? Is Simon able to curtail his womanising ways? Just how is Deniston going to delay his marriage - set for just a fortnight's time - in order to fulfil his own challenge? Henry's not had his last laugh just yet!

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Additional details

UK certificate
U
Duration
94 minutes
Produced
1951
Distributors

Associated British Pathe

Production
Studio
Camera set-up
Single camera
Picture
Black and white

Website links

Broadcast details

Most recent repeats
  • Monday 11th September 2023 at 4:05pm on TPTV
  • Sunday 11th June 2023 at 12:05pm on TPTV
  • Tuesday 28th March 2023 at 2:20pm on TPTV

Recording details

  • Associated British Studios

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