The Card

(Hallmark Home Entertainment VHS 91 mins) I first saw this movie almost exactly fifty years ago. At that time it was known as The Promoter. This film shows without a doubt the enormous talents of Alec Guinness. I seem to feel that it did not receive the acclaim of some other Guinness films possibly due the date of its release, 1952. Just after Lavender Hill Mob and before A Captain's Paradise. There is absolutely nothing I didn't like about the picture. The three principal ladies were all superb. This was the only film Guinness made with Petula Clark or Glynis Johns. He did make Great Expectations and Kind Hearts and Coronets with Valerie Hobson. I have always remembered one scene with Guinness and Johns. In the movie they are engaged and Johns spends Guinness' money as fast as she could. At one store the shop keeper asks for the name and address, so as to be able to have the package delivered. Guinness, without hesitating one instant answers, "Rockefeller - Buckingham Palace." Wonderful film - great entertainment!

One of the greatest British comedies of the 1950s and one of Alec Guinness' most satisfying roles early in his long career. As Denry Machin, son of a washerwoman and the "card" of the title, Guiness brings to life one of the almost forgotten stories about the "five towns" (Stoke-on-Trent) of Arnold Bennett. The old-fashioned and very English word "card" had to be translated into the American title "the promoter", but that is a far less accurate description of Denry Machin's combination of charm and opportunism.

He is supported by four magical actresses, in sharply contrasted roles. Gold-digger Glynis Johns, her friend Petula Clark, aristocrat Valerie Hobson and mother Valerie Turleigh are all charmed in their different ways by Guiness' smiles as he "gives providence a helping hand". William Alwyn's music is perfect, with a jaunty theme-tune that has lingered in my memory for more years than I care to remember. Ronald Neame's direction, also at the start of an impressive directorial career, brings the best out of Guinness, although the setting is disappointingly 'comedy-Northern' rather than specifically Stoke-on-Trent.

Overall a delightful film, and the perfect pick-me-up after watching a depressing Hollywood block-buster (Million Dollar Baby). And watch out for one of the movies' great sign-off lines, from Valerie Hobson.

This terrific 1952 British black and white movie directed by Ronald Neame (with an inspired casting of a young Alec Guinness as Arnold Bennett's wonderful character, the upwardly-mobile Denry Machin), loses none of the story's magic and captures the flavour of the period (from about 1888 and onwards) and the Potteries (North Staffordshire, England) absolutely perfectly. The ballroom scene (among many others) is an utter delight.

The beautiful Valerie Hobson as the "Countess of Chell" is enchanting. Glynis Johns as the frivolous and extravagant social-climbing dance instructress is equally lovely. Edward Chapman as Mr Duncalf is at his usual pompous best. A marvellous supporting cast puts in a stalwart performance and are all on top form, and the acting by all involved is superb (although Petula Clark is a little too reserved and somewhat bland), but after all that, the star of the show surely has to be Joey the Mule.

I don't intend to give you the storyline as enough reviewers have done that already. Suffice it to say that of all the transferences of classic stories to the screen, this must be one of the best, and I defy anyone (young or old) who may watch it, not to enjoy it (even though it is in black and white), and unfortunately, even with colour and much improved modern techniques, marvellous movies like this just aren't made anymore.

It's easy to like this charming, unpretentious film in which Alec Guinness's restrained performance hits all the right notes. His fine work during the early 50's is unfortunately overshadowed by the public's identification with him in such big budget productions as The Bridge Over the River Kwai and Lawrence of Arabia. It's the "small movies" like this one (The Lady Killers, The Last Holiday, The Captain's Paradise and Man in the White Suit also come to mind) where we see his real skill and genius. The Card is enhanced by the appealing characters played by Glynis Johns and Valerie Hobson. Fans will also recall Hobson in another Guinness film, Kind Hearts and Coronets. One bit of puzzling trivia: How did Eric Ambler, known mostly for his espionage novels and, later, for Topkapi, come to write the screenplay for this gentle comedy?....

A classic Alec Guinness performance, in this case as Denry Machin, a man who sees opportunity around every corner. Typified by his line 'I just do this to make money', Machin is likable as he sets up his 'Thrift Club' to entice locals into giving him money so he can purchase goods at a huge discount.

One of the first entrepreneurs, Machin is a lovable rogue and his story is a fun one to watch. A great British classic which showcases Guinness (one of our best actors) alongside British movie luminaries Glynis Johns, Valerie Hobson, and Petula Clark.

Much later this story was made into a musical, but sadly that has never yet been filmed. It will be fascinating if that ever makes it to the screen.