Hollywood is very thrifty and believes in reusing what works. J. M. Barrie’s play about a rich girl shipwrecked with her family’s resourceful butler, The Admirable Crichton, was first performed on stage in 1902. It has been made over and over again for the big screen since that time.
Cecil B. DeMille did a silent version Male and Female (1919), starring Gloria Swanson.
Norman Taurog turned it into a musical. We’re Not Dressing (1934) starred Bing Crosby and Carole Lombard.
Lewis Gilbert did a British version. The Admirable Crichton (1957), starring Sally Ann Howes.
Lina Wertmuller did it in Italian. Swept Away By An Unusual Destiny In The Blue Sea Of August (1974) starred Mariangela Melato.
Garry Marshall set it in Oregon, his idea of a deserted island. Overboard (1987) starred Goldie Hawn. Kurt Russell played a cabinet maker, not a butler.
In the most recent version, Guy Ritche directed his wife. Swept Away (2002) starring Madonna.
As soon as we resolve all our class and gender differences, I imagine we will stop making new versions of The Admirable Crichton. While you are waiting for that time to arrive, watch Lina Wertmuller’s version, and Norman Taurog’s.
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