EDW: Kind Hearts & Light Sabres

I think it was John Betjeman who once remarked that in the event of a nuclear war, he would choose to be in Peter Jones because he couldn’t imagine anything bad ever happening there. That’s how I feel about one of my favourite actor of all time, Alec Guinness, who exudes kindness and humanity and I simply couldn’t imagine any harm coming to one in his presence.

I once had the pleasure of meeting the great Sir Alec, a year or so before his death in 2000, and I was awed despite the fact that before me stood an old man, a bit doddery and confused. I regret not telling him how wonderful I thought he was, although I tend to think that it is usually kinder to treat the truly famous as one would anyone else, rather than make a song and dance about their celebrity. So I answered his questions, helped him as best I could, and he went upon his way, unhugged, because that is what I wanted to do to him.

Sir Alec’s career spanned more than sixty years and he appeared in some remarkable films, including one of my all time favourites, Kind Hearts and Coronets, where he played eight members of the D’Ascoyne family, (including Lady Agatha over there in a rather fetching hat), in one of the wittiest and blackest comedies I’ve ever seen. The film was considered rather racy in it’s time, and not entirely appropriate, but for Joan Greenwood’s comely Sibella, Dennis Price’s unctuous murderer, Louis, and Sir Alec’s virtuoso turn, I’d venture to suggest it’s well worth one hundred and six minutes of anyone’s time.

Of course, apart from his great talent and versatility, the wonderful films he appeared in, and his innate goodness, Sir Alec dressed well. Indeed, when I met him, he was properly kitted out for the town, and too few gentlemen can claim as much these days. And so for that, as much as for the great affection I bear him, Sir Alec Guinness is this week’s nominee for Elegantly Dressed Wednesday.

* Sorry about that last picture - more gratuitous nudity, I'm afraid.