| West of Paradise |
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WEST OF PARADISE 1986 Producer: Michael Glynn Director: David Cunliffe |
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Sherry Fontaine - Alphonsia Emmanuel Rene Rousso - Charles Kay Charan Singh - Nadim Sawalha Marianne - Debbie Bishop Johnny Adela - Reginald Tsiboe Carol Richardson - Amanda Garwood Alan Richardson - Gary Cady Paul Etienne - Jay Ruperelia Armand Pillay - Alan Downer |
Dr 'Papa' Labrosse - Andrew Jeremiah Therese - Lisie Loze Louis Tirant - Simon Bastienne Nandi Youpa - Etienne Malbrook Maurice - Geoff Martin Gerard - Vel Veeramootoo Norman Day - Richard Watts Labrosse's Receptionist - Brenda Vielle Shopkeeper - Sylvette Franchette |
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BROCHURE With thanks to Olive Bird for this copy of the official |
PUBLICITY STILLS I was amazed when these came upfor sale on e-Bay |
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TV TIMES FEATURE Click on any page for larger version |
West of Paradise on DVD
 My copy of West of Paradise was taken from Michael Bird's own video recording made when the film was broadcast back in 1986. The tape has been transferred to DVD and it reproduces remarkably well (thankfully - since it is probably the only way anyone will get to see the film again.) The DVD is 'region free' so it will play anywhere in the world. It gave me great pleasure to be able to send a copy to the Seychelles to the
family of Richard Watts,
who played Norman "Happy" Day - the old beachcomber who stumbles on the gold cross in the opening sequence, As for any prospect of YTV releasing the film commercially ... ... see the FAQs page |
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The story behind the story
Website visitor Mike Butt’s wife is Seychellois and they have two beautiful children. Mike is a regular visitor to the islands. I am grateful to him for the following information, which explains the story behind the story, and for the accompanying photographs. Mike tells me … |
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Olivier le Vasseur was a pirate of the Indian Ocean who was hung at Reunion in 1730. The story goes that while on the gallows le Vasseur tossed a cryptogram into the crowd shouting “Find my Treasure he who can!" Enter Reginald Cruise-Wilkins, who was ill in England and was advised to go to a warmer climate. He went first to Kenya, but caught malaria. He wanted to stay around that region and so he went to the Seychelles to convalesce, as it is ‘malaria safe’. There he met a Mrs Savy, who passed the Cryptogram over to him. The hunt for the treasure started ………… Under Reg's direction several clues were found on rocks below the waterline. Financiers from the USA came and went. Sadly Reg died in 1977, when his son John inherited the mystery. The search continues …………… |
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You can read more about the history of the treasure on the Select Seychelles tourism website |
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The owner of the house where much of the movie was filmed told me that her copy had been lost during house renovation and I was only too happy to send her a copy on DVD. She says she remembers when they first moved in "every time the movie was shown on the local channel someone would phone to tell us our house was on TV. It was quite a kick I must admit! And my neighbours wanted to come and tour the house because they had seen it in the movie but never been there, as the previous owner was quite distant. So I made them happy and showed them the whole thing." In return she sent me the photographs below of "parts of the house that are recogniseable from the movie, such as the bed, verandah steps, garden, in particular the ones of the bed - it's so distinctive!" She finished by saying "the house has been our private holiday home for many years but in about 6 months, if all goes smoothly, the house will become a self catering house. My guests will love knowing they are staying in a house that was used for a film set ...". |
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| Michael J Bird Tribute Website |
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