Having seen both versions of The Beachcomber, I like the 1938 original better. The obvious reason is the real-life couple of the costars. How adorable is it to see a gruff Charles Laughton romancing his wife, missionary Elsa Lanchester? Since Robert Newton and Glynis Johns weren't married in real life, the audience didn't get to coo over them.
There's also so much more charm to the original. Seeing Charles Laughton let down his hair and frolic with native island girls is adorable. Seeing Robert Newton pretend to be a drunken bum is slightly less adorable, since he drank himself to death within three years of making the film. He is an excellent actor with natural screen presence, but it is rather sad to watch him in the role so close to the end of his life. Also, he doesn't have nearly as much screen time as Charles did in the original. Much of this movie is dedicated to Glynis and her missionary brother, Donald Sinden, as they go about their work. There is a very pretty theme, though, by Daniele Amfitheatrof, that sets you right on the island with them.
There's also so much more charm to the original. Seeing Charles Laughton let down his hair and frolic with native island girls is adorable. Seeing Robert Newton pretend to be a drunken bum is slightly less adorable, since he drank himself to death within three years of making the film. He is an excellent actor with natural screen presence, but it is rather sad to watch him in the role so close to the end of his life. Also, he doesn't have nearly as much screen time as Charles did in the original. Much of this movie is dedicated to Glynis and her missionary brother, Donald Sinden, as they go about their work. There is a very pretty theme, though, by Daniele Amfitheatrof, that sets you right on the island with them.