Movie spotlight
A charming and ambitious young man finds many ways to raise himself through the ranks in business and social standing - some honest, some not quite so. If he can just manage to avoid a certain very predatory woman.
Edward Henry 'Denry' Machin, a humble pottery apprentice, possesses an uncanny knack for making money and rising through society. Using charm, wit, and a touch of manipulation, he navigates the social and financial complexities of Edwardian England. From his humble beginnings to achieving great wealth and status, Denry's journey is a delightful and often humorous account of ambition and success.
The Card was generally well-received by critics for its charming performances, particularly Alec Guinness's, and its lighthearted depiction of social mobility and early 20th-century English life. Audiences enjoyed its feel-good narrative and comedic elements, making it a popular and fondly remembered film of its era.
Praised for Alec Guinness's charismatic performance and skillful portrayal of a likable rogue.
Appreciated for its warm, humorous, and nostalgic depiction of Edwardian England.
Seen as a delightful and optimistic story of social climbing and self-made success.
Google audience: Google user reviews are not readily available for this classic film, but historical reception indicates it was a well-loved comedy-drama.
The film is based on the semi-autobiographical novel 'The Old Wives' Tale' by Arnold Bennett, though the novel has a much more serious and dramatic tone than the film adaptation.
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Ronald Name has done quite a good job turning Arnold Bennett's amiable rags-to-riches tale into a throughly watchable film. Alec Guinness ("Denry" - an amalgam of Edward and Henry) is the aspiring son of a lowly washerwoman (Veronica Turlei...