Comedy > 1949 Comedy

Advantages: Great characters and a good cast, amusing story and film, ealing classic
Disadvantages: Very dated

Whiskey Galore is one of those charming Black and White Ealing comedies that is highly enjoyable but is so out of touch with today, that it may as well be set on the planet Zog. Released in 1949 one can see why it is out of touch to say the least. Let's face it that is almost 60 years ago. However it still appears on the small screen, from time to time, and is available on DVD for collectors of classic films, as yes that is what it is. On a remote ...
...island has nearly run dry. Dry of whiskey that is. It is the second world war and rationing is taking it's toll. Then, as if sent by God, a cargo ship full to the brim with whiskey runs aground on the rocks around Todday. 50,000 cases of Whiskey are there for the taking but will it be that easy? There are many pitfalls, some of which will seem ludicrous today, such as the issue of handling the ill-gotten gains on a Sunday. The authorities seem to ... Read review

Advantages: Classic, stylish black comedy, great performances, nice twist
Disadvantages: None for me, but perthaps dated and too gentle for some.

...the cinema. Kind and Coronets was a favourite of my Dad's and I guess I must have a similar sense of humour to him as I have always loved it. I saw it first when I was about ten years old and thoroughly enjoyed it but some of the finer points of the humour was wasted on me, as a child. I have seen this film umpteen times since and still manage to enjoy a screening and have a laugh, despite often knowing what is coming next these days. As with favourite ...
...106 minutes. The title, Kind Hearts and Coronets, was taken from a couplet by Tennyson which is quoted by one of the characters-'Kind hearts are more than coronets, And simple faith than Norman blood' which when you watch the film you will realise is very true. This film was release in France also where it was called ' Noblesse Oblige' You can pick up a copy of Kind Hearts and Coronets very cheaply or pay a little more and buy it as part of a package ... Read review

Advantages: Gentle comedy, great characters and actors, Ealing Comedy
Disadvantages: Outdated for some

...a borough of London. Passport to Pimlico is one of the now classic comedies which came out of the Ealing Studios, during their prime in the 1940's and 1950's. This gentle comedy is set in the era, just after the Second World War, when rationing is still very much in operation. During a long hot summer, the discovery of an unexploded bomb eventually leads to an exciting discvery, which may lead the citizens of Pimlico to an apparent means of solving ...
...a set which was erected on a cleared bomb site in London. This film has delightful characters and a wealth of those actors and actresses, who were my favourites during my childhood. It is filmed in black and white which certainly fits the time. The post war years were quite austere and houses and the environment of cities and towns tended to be rather grey. For younger viewers, the setting may seem a little strange. However for myself, and others ... Read review

Advantages: Fantastic, intelligent, witty, ironic, well-acted comedy
Disadvantages: Not a one

When I was a about 8 years of age and growing up in Ireland, the state broadcaster RTE, for reasons best known to themselves spent two weeks showing a Spencer Tracey film every night. Perhaps it was because he was a Catholic actor and therefore on the ‘approved list’, perhaps it was because all his films had come out of copyright and could be shown without having to pay royalties or perhaps it was because someone in the broadcasting department was ...
...stay up for the first time in my life until 10.30 every night (but only because it was the Summer holidays) and so I got to see ten of these magical films. They taught me a lot, that love takes work, that conventionally handsome men can be a little vapid and empty and that Spencer Tracey when teamed with Katherine Hepburn was the most magical combination of actors that a genius producer could put together. Think of famous ‘screen couples’ now and ... Read review

Advantages: Living history
Disadvantages: Possibly dated

My copy of the film came as a DVD video freebie from the Daily Mail for promotional use only; this copy had no extras. A black comedy considered to be the most articulate and literate of all Ealing screenplays. The title was taken from a Tennysonnian couplet. The film has a Universal rating from the censors, suitable for all. Considered a triumphant performance by Alec Guinness tapping a rich vein of black humour that has always ran through Ealing ...
...(published early in the century called Israel Rank) in black and white. The script in English by Robert Hamer and mono sound runs for 102 minutes. Copyrighted in 1949 by Canal & Image UK Ltd. In France the film was called Noblesse Oblige. THE CAST Alec Guinness plays eight members of the aristocratic D'Ascoyne family. These are Ascoyne d'Ascoyne, Henry d'Ascoyne, Canon d'Ascoyne, Admiral d'Ascoyne, General d'Ascoyne, Lady d'Ascoyne, Lord d'Ascoyne ... Read review