Setting up camp in the South Seas, Charles and Elsa Laughton have produced "The Beachcomber," their version of Somerset Maugham's "The Vessel of Wrath." Unique and distinctive in flavor, the picture shows the touch of original minds, unfettered with any great desire to produce a cash-register success. The pace is as slow and restful as South Sea surf. The comedy and tragedy of the plot are not, for the most part, dependent upon melodramatic action, but rather upon the subtle shades of acting. Yet the best acting, the best characterizations, are done by the supporting cast and not, strangely enough, by Mr. Laughton. His portrayal of Ginger Ted is consistent neither in mood nor in quality of acting. Apart from the essential change in Ginger Ted's character as required by the plot, Mr. Laughton has added so many minor oscillations that he leaves no fixed conception. Perhaps this flexibility of Ted's personality was preconceived in Mr. Laughton's mind. If so, he over-emphasized the flexibility. Or perhaps, because of the strain of producing the picture, he has unconsciously let too much of the self-assured Producer filter into his portrayal of the lazy and dissolute Ted. Yet despite the defects of Laughton's acting, his skill in the creation of a distinguished production show that he has kept his place as one of the top-notch men in present-day moviedom.