The Girls of Pleasure Island (1953)
In the spring of 1945, World War II is coming to a close. Roger Halyard, a dignified, strait-laced Englishmen, lives on a South Sea atoll with his three daughters, Gloria, Hester and Violet, along with the housekeeper, Thelma, who has raised the girls since childhood. Other than their father, the girls have never seen another man. Halyard is informed that 1500 U.S. Marines will soon arrive to establish an air base on the island. Halyard is rather apprehensive over the prospect of his daughters, who have never met another man, being thrown together with 1500 Marines who haven't seen a woman in months.
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While I generally enjoyed this film, I must say that one actress in this film really didn't work for me. Dorothy Bromiley played the youngest girl in the film. While she was a lot older than the character she played, this didn't bother me--she was able to be convincing as a teenager. But, her voice....wow was it tough on my ears. She sounded a lot like Glynnis Johns but even younger and more piercing. Maybe it's just me and my wife, but the voice was tough for both of us to take.The film is an enjoyable but tough to believe little fantasy set during WWII. A man (Leo Genn) has moved to a tiny island paradise and has three VERY lonely daughters. When he learns that 1500 US Marines are going to be living there, he is NOT pleased. As for the daughters, they seem amazingly horny--especially the oldest and youngest. The middle girl is a bit more sensible and she falls for nice-guy Don Taylor. Can the father manage to keep his daughters' virginity?! The film is amiable but not especially inspired. Enjoyable fluff--and nothing more.
No, despite the title it's not x-rated, but rather a wholesome tale of 1500 U.S. Army men arriving to establish a base on a strategic little Pacific island presided over by an expatriate Briton (Genn) and his three nubile daughters and housekeeper. All (romantic) hell breaks loose when the oldest and the youngest very quickly decide which man to attach themselves to, while the middle girl intends to play the field, aggressively teasing and flirting with many. Even the housekeeper (Lanchester)gets some admirers. Don Taylor is ingratiating as the handsome American lead man, and Audrey Dalton his love interest with whom he deeply falls in love under uncertain conditions.. An altogether charming, light comedy and romance outing which will please most viewers.
Saw this when it first came out in 1953 and had teenage crush on Audrey Dalton ever since ! Predictable plot line, but good acting from Leo Genn, sort of like " South Pacific " without the music. Leo spent a lot of his time advising that affairs with the army boys would only lead to heartbreak when the war ended and they all left. A total fairy tale of course, the army engineers had nothing to do except flirt with the girls ( Audreys sisters ). I liked that it was on an actual location ( guessing Hawaii ) and it seemed SO exotic for a lad from freezing Scotland in the context of the period and I saw it a total of four times... the last time in 1955, so this " critique " is from the dim and distant past. I believe audrey is still with us, but sadly, not Leo who was a fine actor indeed
This is a pleasant little comedy/romance which is unfortunately tainted by a couple of obviously racist remarks. Other than that, the attractive leads and cute uncomplex storyline make this film an enjoyable experience.