Even if he had never played Obi-Wan Kenobi, Alec Guennis would be regarded more than just fondly. He's the greatest man of many faces since the senior Lon Chaney, and even had a 1950's Life magazine spread honoring him as such. Guennis didn't need major disguises to change his appearance. All he had to do was squint, squat, or scowl, and he was another person, whether as Fagin or a murderous heir to a fortune or lady killer or ghost. Even as an "every man", he was as far from an every man as any man could be.
As a washer woman's son, he desires position first, money second, and power third. He's going to get his mother a comfortable life style no matter what else he does, and along the way dances with a duchess (Valarie Hobson) and finds a variety of women (Glynis John's, later Petula Clark) as he rises up from a humble clerk to loan shark to successful businessman with a bit of amorality, and had he set his eyes on it, he could have manipulated his way into public office.
A very subtle comedy that shows Guennis at his best, and scenes with his younger self has Alec's son playing his part. Of the three women, Johns comes off as best, as quirky and multi-faceted as Guennis is. The women don't just drop out of his life. They all return for one reason or another. Veronica Turleigh as his mother is quite formidable, fainting when Guennis presents her with a hat filled with coin, yet determined to remain busy with her work and remain in her humble home. A truly good script with top notch direction by Ronald Neame makes this a must especially for Guennis fans.
As a washer woman's son, he desires position first, money second, and power third. He's going to get his mother a comfortable life style no matter what else he does, and along the way dances with a duchess (Valarie Hobson) and finds a variety of women (Glynis John's, later Petula Clark) as he rises up from a humble clerk to loan shark to successful businessman with a bit of amorality, and had he set his eyes on it, he could have manipulated his way into public office.
A very subtle comedy that shows Guennis at his best, and scenes with his younger self has Alec's son playing his part. Of the three women, Johns comes off as best, as quirky and multi-faceted as Guennis is. The women don't just drop out of his life. They all return for one reason or another. Veronica Turleigh as his mother is quite formidable, fainting when Guennis presents her with a hat filled with coin, yet determined to remain busy with her work and remain in her humble home. A truly good script with top notch direction by Ronald Neame makes this a must especially for Guennis fans.