The Laughtons in themselves are enough to bring almost anyone to see their pictures. Produced by them and by the Mayflower Picture Co. which they own. "The Beachcomber" is based upon Somerset Maughan's "Vessel of Wrath". The supervision of their own production guarantees a picture which can hardly be criticized from an artistic point of view.

Mr. Laughton, as the dissolute beachcomber, gives a really lovable portrayal. His presentation of Ginger Ted is a worthy addition to comedy. Mrs. Laughton in the contrasting but amenable role of a young Florence Nightingale variety of missionary, is convincing but on the verge of presenting a caricature rather than a real person. Her stage brother, missionary-clergyman-doctor, is on the point of the ridiculous, but he is not seen often. One of the picture's outstanding features is magnificent scenic photography of the Pacific archipelago where most of the story takes place.

With the Laughtons' production is another Charlie Ruggles picture (with the emphasis on "another"). The savior of this show, if it has one, is young Billy Lee, whose personality is its redeeming feature.