Singapore for Beginners

Plot:

1942, the British colonial 'strait Settlements' haven't yet felt the sting of Japanese invasion but keep on partying. Wise cynic Webb and his junior partner Walter Blackett run a major rubber export firm, bound to profit from the Allied war demand. After honoring in Blackett's place his daughter Sylvia's promise to vouch for Chinese refugee Vera Chiang she met at a party in China, and putting her up in his estate managed by retired Major Brendan Archer, Webb falls terminally ill at his jubilee party thrown at the Blackett home, where Walter's son Monty still just enjoys himself as a naive knave. Walter calls for Webb's son Matthew's return from English boarding school and takes Vera in, all in again attempt to keep Webb senior motivated to live on. Meanwhile Sylvia's US officer admirer Ehrendorf has informally tipped off Walter its' time to contract a huge rubber order before US import restrictions are issued, then Sylvia dutifully agrees to wed a suitable business ally.