Marry you Mr. Guinness? Why yes! I will!

 Or so it goes in my dreams!

The other half of day one during my time off, was spent watching the Ealing comedy box set. In particular, anything with Mr. Guinness in it!

I have had a thing for Alec Guinness for as long as I can remember, when I was about 10 I watched "Kind Hearts and Coronets" with my Gran. I couldn't believe that one man was playing so many roles, and looking and behaving so differently. Ever since then I've always found him fascinating.

Guinness first worked writing advertising copy. making his acting debut at the Albery Theatre in 1936 at 22, in the role of Osric in John Guilgud's "Hamlet". He continued playing Shakespearean roles throughout his career, notably appearing as Andrew Aguecheek  in "Twelfth Night" and as Exeter in "Henry V" both opposite Laurence Olivier (another swoon worthy thesp of the age).

During WWII Guinness served in the Royal Navy Volunteer reserve. He commanded a landing craft taking part in the invasion of Sicily and Elba and later ferried supplies to the Yugoslav partisans. During the war, he also continued to act appearing in Terrance Rattigan's West End play for RAF Bomber Command "Flare Path".

After the war Guinness returned to tread the boards and appear in film. He was initially associated with the Ealing Comedies, and particularly for playing eight different characters in "Kind Hearts and Coronets". Another two of my favourites from this period include Professor Marcus in "The Ladykillers" (not so attractive in this one, but in my opinion it's great bit of character acting) and Sidney Stratton"The Man in the White Suit". Also, in 1952 director Ronald Neame (Under the Rank Organisation) cast Guinness in his first romantic lead role, Denry Machin, opposite Petula Clarke and Glynis Johns, in "The Card"  (In both these roles Guinness well and truly tugged my heart strings!)

Guinness died on 5 August 2000, in Midhurst, West Sussex.

Do you have any Classic film crushes?

G x