Comedy

The Card

A Ronald Neame Production

United Kingdom

English

Alec Guinness

Glynis Johns

Valerie Hobson

Petula Clark

Edward Chapman

Veronica Turleigh

George Devine

Joan Hickson

Frank Pettingell

Gibb McLaughlin

Peter Copley

Mark Daly

Deidre Doyle

Henry Edwards

Lyn Evans

Wilfrid Hyde-White

Michael Hordern

Matthew Guinness

Arnold Bennett

Ronald Neame

Eric Ambler

Clive Donner

William Alwyn

T. Hopewell Ash

Oswald Morris

Sophie Devine

CinemaSerf

Ronald Name has done quite a good job turning Arnold Bennett's amiable rags-to-riches tale into a throughly watchable film. Alec Guinness ("Denry" - an amalgam of Edward and Henry) is the aspiring son of a lowly washerwoman (Veronica Turleigh). Determined to better his lot, he happens upon the wallet lost by local lawyer/bigwig "Duncalf" (Edward Chapman). Honesty always being the best (and expedient) policy, he returns it and is soon his clerk; a menially clerical position that first introduces him to the rather daunting "Countess of Chell" (Valerie Hobson), Now he begins to set his sights on greater civic (and personal) success. She and his employer are hosting a grand ball and for that - to which he has invited himself - he must learn a few social skills, like dancing. That's where Glynis Johns' "Miss Earp" comes in, and the scene is now set for a few fun escapades as up the greasy pole he goes, finding true love en route. It's tightly cast, with only a few speaking parts, and that keeps the plot focussed and the pace moving along well. The writing delivers a jolly film: a little comedy disaster, some silly frolics and wonderfully charming performances from Guinness and his frequently quite manipulative co-star Miss Johns. There's a little social commentary to beef it up; the deference shown to the benecfactrix Countess by those living on the breadline is presented well with Hobson ideally cast as the woman far more pragmatic about her role in society that many of the sycophants around her. There are also some quite poignant scenes depicting the overall perspective of many people to know - and stick to - their place! All work well together and it's certainly one of Guinness' better efforts.

The Card (1952) ORIGINAL TRAILER [HD 1080p]

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The Card

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Cast

Alec Guinness

Glynis Johns

Valerie Hobson

Petula Clark

Edward Chapman

Veronica Turleigh

George Devine

Joan Hickson

Frank Pettingell

Gibb McLaughlin

Box office

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