The Demi-Paradise

L’histoire

Résumé en anglais

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.

Distribution

L Laurence OlivierIvan Kouznetsoff P Penelope Dudley-WardAnn Tisdall M Marjorie FieldingMrs. Tisdall M Margaret RutherfordRowena Ventnor F Felix AylmerMr. Runalow G George ThorpeHerbert Tisdall L Leslie HensonHimself G Guy MiddletonDick Christian M Michael ShepleyMr. Walford E Edie MartinMiss Winifred Tisdall M Muriel AkedMrs. Tisdall-Stanton J Joyce GrenfellSybil Paulson

Voir la suite de la distribution

E Everley GreggMrs. Flannel J Jack WatlingTom D David KeirJordan M Miles MallesonTheatre Cashier A Aubrey MallalieuToomes, the Butler J John LaurieWounded Sailor B Brian NissenGeorge Tisdall J John BoxerBritish Sailor J Johnnie SchofieldErnie M Marie AultMrs. Jones A Alexis ChesnakovRussian Delegate M Mavis ClairBarmaid G George ColePercy H Harry FowlerSmall Boy (An Evacuee) G Gladys HensonMrs. Frost W Wilfrid Hyde-WhiteNightclub Waiter N Niall MacGinnisMan on Ship-Dedication Stand J Josephine MiddletonMrs. Tremlow C Charles PatonMr. Bishop M Marian SpencerMrs. Teddy Beckett G George StreetHeckler B Ben WilliamsHeckler I Ian WilsonArmy Bandmaster M Margaret WithersMrs. Elliston J Jack VyvyanOrator in Hyde Park G George SpenceShipyard Worker (uncredited)