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Kind Hearts and CoronetsTo most people of my generation, Alec Guinness means only one thing: Obi Wan Kenobi. Certainly, he plays the part very well, and there are few actors who could have bettered him at such a role. However, there was a very distinguished acting career before he donned the famous Jedi cape, and if anybody is looking for evidence of that, then I must suggest this film.
One of the Ealing comedies (which spawned such films as the recently remade Ladykillers), this film was produced in 1949 and its leading roles go to Dennis Price and the delectable Valerie Hobson. But the show is stolen by Alec Guinness.
Dennis Price is a member of an aristocratics family, the D'ascoynes. However, his mother has been shunned by the rest of the family, and this has bred a deep-seated willingness for revenge in him. To achieve his vengeance, he hatches a plot to kill those eight members of the family who precede him as heirs to the Duchy. In doing so, he also manages to forge a relationship with one of his victim's widows (Valerie Hobson), as well as maintaining another relationship with Joan Greenwood. But of course, he cannot keep his plot going forever.
Alec Guinness' part in this, or parts in this, are those of all eight members of the family upon whom Price sets his sights. These include a clergyman, soldier, sailor, old men and young, and even a woman. Yes, Star Wars fans, before Tim Curry and Guy Pearce were running around film sets in girl's clothes, Obi Wan was doing it first. May the Corset be with you.
The result is a black comedy with a fine edge to it, and some good old sparkling English wit. No stupid corset puns, either.
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