Streaming Quick Picks: Alec Guinness (Part One, 1946-1960)
This week we provide the first of two entries with links to streams and DVDs of films starring the legendary actor, Alec Guinness. Some careers are too rich to limit to just one post, so we will follow up with another set of post-1960 Guinness films in the near future. The choice of Guinness is of course inspired by the extensive Alec Guinness Centennial series at the UW Cinematheque, which starts on September 6. We will preview the first two double features in that series (The Lavender Hill Mob / Last Holiday on September 6; The Captain’s Paradise / A Run for Your Money on September 13) as those dates approach. Meanwhile, you can prepare yourself for the series, or perhaps catch the films that you know that you might miss this semester, by following the links below to streaming and local DVD resources.
It is a testament to the quality of Guinness’s work and its wide appeal that so many of his films are available on streaming resources, not something that can be said for all classic actors or filmmakers (Netflix, in particular, seems less interested in classic titles). If you enjoy the titles below, you might pursue some related topics, from Ealing Studio comedies to the work of directors David Lean, Ronald Neame, and Carol Reed. As you can see from the posters themselves, Guinness was able to adapt to a wide range of genres, from broad comedy (Leonard Maltin famously wrote about his performance in The Ladykillers, “even his teeth are funny”) to psychologically intriguing war dramas. Some of these titles, like those directed by Lean and the Ealing comedies, are frequently on television, but others are far less well known. Barnacle Bill (American release title, All at Sea, 1957), for example, is considered one of the last films in the cycle of Ealing Studio comedies.
We continue to experiment with the format of these Quick Picks; this week the posters will link you directly to one streaming source even if the film is also available through other sources. The priority will be given to popular subscription services, Netflix and Hulu Plus, with no additional rental fees. Curiously, of the titles below only The Malta Story is available on Netflix, which is why we encourage you to know what else is out there. Most of the links are to Amazon Instant Video, but several titles are available on Vudu.
Note an apparent fluke: on both Amazon and Vudu, The Lavender Hill Mob will come up as its Spanish language title, De l’or en Barres. Three titles, The Prisoner, The Swan, and The Bridge on the River Kwai, are available for streaming purchase, not rental. For all streaming options, click on the GoWatchIt button below, which will lead you to their Guinness page.
Don’t forget your local DVD resources when preparing for the Guinness Centential. While it is not possible to search by actor’s name on the Four Star Video Coop’s online database, 10 of the titles below are available there. And as always the Madison Public Library remains a reliable source for DVDs as well.
The Madison Film Forum wants you to stream or rent one great film a week, attend at least one great film a month, and meet people doing the same. If you see any of these titles at home or at the UW Cinematheque series, please share your thoughts on the film(s) in the comments below.
