The Card

Ronald Neame directs Alec Guinness in this underrated adaptation of the classic novel by the poet laureate of the Potteries, Arnold Bennett.

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…

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