From Ealing Studios comes "All At Sea," a 1957 film starring Alec Guinness and a cast that includes names which were or became familiar names/familiar faces in British film and theatre productions (and in one case, books): Irene Browne, Maurice Denham, Lionel Jeffries, Joan Hickson, George Rose, Jackie Collins, Donald Pleasence, and Eric Pohlmann, most of these actors in small roles.
Captain Ambrose comes from a long line of sailors who had sketchy histories, but he himself can't get on the water because of seasickness.
After the war, he buys an amusement pier in a resort town, which the town council wants to tear down. However, he is too clever for them. He has it registered as a ship, thus making it impossible for them to get rid of it.
He is able to make the pier profitable and becomes friends with the woman (Irene Browne) who has rental huts on the beach that are about to become displaced by the grand plans of the council. And they haven't given up yet.
Amusing film with Alec Guinness playing Captain Ambrose -- and like most great actors, he does the part seriously, which makes it funnier. He carries the film as the other actors have small roles. Browne's is a little bigger and she is wonderful as first an enemy of the captain and then as a warm friend.
The final scenes are excellent, as Ambrose's heritage comes into play. Really fine film.
