The Demi-Paradise
The Demi-Paradise
Ivan Kouznetsoff, a Russian engineer, recounts during World War II his stay in England prior to the war working on a new propeller for ice-breaking ships. Naïve about British people and convinced by hearsay that they are shallow and hypocritical, Ivan is both bemused and amused by them. He is blunt in his opinions about Britons and at first this puts off his hosts, including the lovely Ann Tisdall, whose grandfather runs the shipbuilding firm that will make use of Ivan's propeller. The longer Ivan stays, however, the more he comes to understand the humor, warmth, strength, and conviction of the British people, and the more they come to see him as a friend rather than merely a suspicious Russian. As a romantic bond grows between Ivan and Ann, a cultural bond begins to grow as well, particularly as the war begins and Russia is attacked by Germany.
Production Countries
Production Companies
Cast
Laurence Olivier
as Ivan Kouznetsoff
Penelope Dudley-Ward
as Ann Tisdall
Jack Watling
as Tom
John Laurie
as Wounded Sailor
Josephine Middleton
as Mrs. Tremlow
Ian Wilson
as Army Bandmaster
Aubrey Mallalieu
as Toomes, the Butler
Gladys Henson
as Mrs. Frost
Marjorie Fielding
as Mrs. Tisdall
Felix Aylmer
as Mr. Runalow
Miles Malleson
as Theatre Cashier
Wilfrid Hyde-White
as Nightclub Waiter
Michael Shepley
as Mr. Walford
Everley Gregg
as Mrs. Flannel
Charles Paton
as Mr. Bishop
Margaret Rutherford
as Rowena Ventnor
Guy Middleton
as Dick Christian
Brian Nissen
as George Tisdall
Johnnie Schofield
as Ernie
Leslie Henson
as Himself
Edie Martin
as Miss Winifred Tisdall
Muriel Aked
as Mrs. Tisdall-Stanton
Joyce Grenfell
as Sybil Paulson
Marie Ault
as Mrs. Jones
George Cole
as Percy
Niall MacGinnis
as Man on Ship-Dedication Stand
Harry Fowler
as Small Boy (An Evacuee)
Margaret Withers
as Mrs. Elliston
