therealfuster Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 Tomorrow afternoon on Thursday, June 09, 2005, TCM is showing a triptych of great Guinness films, which include: 2:30 pm Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) Alec Guinness plays eight parts in this hilarious Ealing film, and it showcases the British sensibilities about murder, as being good grist for humor. Also starring are the adorable Joan Greenwood, with the classic throaty voice and Dennis Price and Valerie Hobson [bride to Frankenstein and wife to John Profumo, the British politician taken down by call girls Mandy Rice-Davies and Christine Keeler]. This film is classic Guinness, with him hiding behind other personas, even a woman! 4:30 pm Lavender Hill Mob, The (1951) Another example of the dry humor of the Ealing Studio, with Alec Guinness, as a mild mannered bank clerk out to rob his own bank with Stanley Holloway. Memorable also for a small bit part by a very young Audrey Hepburn. 6:00 pm Ladykillers, The (1955) Forget the Hanks' movie, this is the real deal! Guinness is the brains, behind a gang pretending to be musicians, who move into a little old lady's house, to plan their next job but learn that Mrs. Wilberforce is more than they bargained for. Katie Johnson as the sweet defenseless landlady is incomparable and this comedy was directed by Alexander Mackendrick, of "The Sweet Smell of Success" fame. Hopefully on the next Alec Guinness nite, TCM might show "The Man in the White Suit" or "The Horse's Mouth" which are also rollickingly funny films. Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fssbdgtsue59 Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 Yes, I am a diehard Sir Alec Guinness fan. Have been since I saw how he dealt with his character in "The Bridge Over The River Kwai." Maybe even earlier than that-just don't remember particular films or titles. I know now I should have added him to my list of favorite actors and actresses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lux0786 Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 Guinness is one of the best actors we have. He was also a very good writer. Only two or three books, I believe, with his best being without doubt his first, a memoir entitled Blessings in Disguise (1977). Such lucid yet elegant prose, and not a bit stuffy. There is an early chapter relating a childhood incident, something to do with an elderly lady living in a basement apartment where he lived at the time. This could stand alone as a short story. Read it and you'll be hooked. Another excellent chapter relates his conversion to Catholicism, amusing and witty. Too bad he didn't write more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therealfuster Posted June 9, 2005 Author Share Posted June 9, 2005 Lux, your comments on Guinness and his writing, remind me of that great interview he did, which was shown on PBS. As I recall, when asked if he had even been in therapy like so many of his American compatriots in the acting profession, Guinness adamantly said that he would never consider therapy, because he did not want to ruin that inner psyche that caused him to be an actor and be inventive and creative. I've seen this sentiment of his expressed both on film and in written up interviews with Guinness and find it elucidating. Afraid of killing the goose that laid the golden egg, in essence and to my mind, the thought patterns of a very wise and intelligent man! I shall look for the book you recommend, Lux as it sounds wonderful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brackenhe Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 Maybe that why Tom Cruise doesn't believe in therapy (besides the obvious Scientology connection.) Because he was to keep that great psyche working. LOL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therealfuster Posted June 9, 2005 Author Share Posted June 9, 2005 to avoid any Tom Cruise films since I saw "Legend" which I did like. Oh, I did make exceptions for Kubrick and that "Magnolia" film in which I did like the performance of Cruise, just like I liked him in "Risky Business" originally. I just hope and pray daily, that Cruise will not ruin any more Philip K. Dick tales, like he did in "Minority Report". If one has not read Dick's original story, I'm sure they were well pleased with Tom's version as directed by Spielberg. If they have read Dick's story, and see how the whole brilliant premise was upended by the need to subvert the more pivotal, older man character's importance in the story, and alter his connection to Cruise's character, so that Cruise could be the main focus, instead of being a peripheral character in the book...then they will understand the displeasure of the Dick fans with this film. Just like you don't take a book like "Gone With the Wind" and convert aspects of Rhett's character to fit Scarlet's mealy mouthed husband, Frank so that some star can have a bigger role...neither should one do it to other great books. A great actor would care more about the movie being great, than his part being bigger. That's my take, and I'm sticking by it. Any who are offended, have my permission to be so with my good graces and approbation. What I see is not a team player, and team players are on winning teams, just like good movies are made by people willing to take a lesser role to make a great film. A great actor like Jack Lemmon would step back, if he knew that it was for the film's betterment. A great director does not mess with classic works, for his own invention. I'm sure Tom won't lose sleep over my not being in his fan club, so I feel free to say the above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fssbdgtsue59 Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 Brackenhe--just an aside--what does LOL mean?:-/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brackenhe Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 Sorry Sue--I just assume people know the internet abbreviations. LOL=Laugh out loud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brackenhe Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 Oh and fuster--I thoroughly agree with what you say. I've never found Cruise charming or a very good actor. I have see a couple of his movies but I, like you, take care to avoid them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therealfuster Posted June 9, 2005 Author Share Posted June 9, 2005 so you can cover me when all the Cruise fans may show up. But opinions, like the best movies, always are strong and not wishy washy...so I'm glad I said it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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