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Post by ellynmacg on May 5, 2018 17:56:24 GMT
I am surprised to see only one mention (up until now) of The Belles of St. Trinian's, one of my favourite (once again, I consider British spelling obligatory in this context) comedies, and definitely high on my list of Alastair Sim films. Why is that, I hear you cry? Well, for one thing, he plays a double role--how utterly divine to have two AS's for the price of one! Besides, he's so...so spiffy as Miss Fritton.  Why is it that most male performers--straight or otherwise--from the UK or Ireland seem to carry off comic cross-dressing with so much more panache than their American counterparts? At least that's been my experience. I guess the reason why people don't associate The Belles of St. Trinian's frequently with Sim is that as the series progressed Sim disappeared from it and the series became more and more associated with George Cole. The "Flash Harry" character got the biggest glory in this series. That said, Sim was excellent in the double role in the series opener. Of course! That makes a ton(ne) of sense. While I do adore "Flash Harry", I will always consider Alastair Sim (as either Fritton, or as both of them) to be the heart of St. Trinian's. Thanks for the info, coolmax. |
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Post by Aj_June on Jul 25, 2018 17:13:57 GMT
Biographicals I never knew : The son of Alexander Sim JP and Isabella McIntyre, Alastair Sim was educated in Edinburgh. Always interested in language (especially the spoken word) he became the Fulton Lecturer in Elocution at New College, Edinburgh University from 1925 until 1930. He was invited back and became the Rector of Edinburgh University (1948 - 1951). His first stage appearance was as Messenger in Othello at the Savoy Theatre, London. He went on to create some of the most memorable (usually comedic) roles in British films from 1936 until his death in 1976. He came to acting late being 30 when he started acting on the London stage and 35 when he made his film debut. In the late 30's he was inclined towards the sinister with such films as 'The Terror'(38) although he also appeared in the Crazy Gang's 'Alf's Button Afloat' (38) and with Jesse Matthews in 'Climbing High'(39). During the war he played Sergeant Bingham in the 'Inspector Hornleigh' films directed by Walter Forde. It was after the war that he found his true forte - comedy - in the films of Launder and Gilliat in particular playing a series of Dickensian eccentrics, rogues and pathological assassins although the sinister element often remained. Despite his many films his attachment to the theatre continued throughout his career, acting, directing and producing and with a strong association with James Bridie who wrote seven plays for him. Thanks for bringing some of these facts, Bat. In spite of having watched most of the post 1945 movies of Sim I have not seen his 30s films. I have decided to change all that so I am going to watch Inspector Hornleigh on Holiday (1939). I will get back to this topic once I have seen it. |
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Post by twothousandonemark on Jul 26, 2018 5:47:13 GMT
A Christmas Carol is my #41 all time. There simply is no performer more quintessential to their role in cinematic history than Sim as Scrooge.
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Post by Aj_June on Jul 26, 2018 6:15:01 GMT
Another excellent thread, Aj_June —add me to the list of Sim fans. There is, as you say, something very appealing about him as an actor—I think it may be the voice, that burr with just a hint of authority that is undermined by its pomposity and the amazing contortions Sim can do with his face. He is both in charge and slightly ridiculous—which competing qualities make him immensely likeable. I am, unfortunately, the one Sim fan who’s not particularly fond of Scrooge; excellent though he is, he doesn’t seem (to me) quite comfortable in the part, and the whole thing seems a bit ponderous. I happen to like the George C. Scott version the best, though in all other cases I’d rather watch Sim than Scott. I’m aware that my opinion on the movie is awfully unusual and idiosyncratic, but for whatever reason I’ve just never been able to get into it. Sim is wonderful, however, in Green for Danger, bringing Christianna Brand’s purposely-underwritten ‘Cockie’ to life and imbuing him with genuine personality. Those traits I mentioned before, authority and ridiculousness, were never more in evidence than here; and the whole thing is an utter delight. One of the few film classics the mystery genre has produced. I just finished watching Inspector Hornleigh on Holiday (1939) and I must say that it is thoroughly enjoyable comedy-crime drama and some scenes will make you laugh a lot. While Sim plays a sort of sidekick he has the best comic timing and one that makes you laugh all the time. The famous British humour is in play in some of the scenes and in others it is about situational comedy. There is nothing more amusing in this world than reading of a will of a rich English man with all the relatives/friends present during the reading of the will expecting their own shares. This movie much like many other Brit comedies has a solid scene of the same nature. Another extremely funny moment arises when Sim has to act as dying patient and his senior is stationed in a famous hospital as Sim's personal doctor. The senior inspector obviously being illiterate in medicine has to create fake disease called 'Plutosis'. His interactions with an actual doctor makes way for extremely funny moments. It is truly a good comedy movie worth watching one time. So now I am fully satisfied with Sim's body of work. I liked him in 40s and 50s and now I like his works in 30s. Next up I am going to see The Mark of the Vampire as you had recommended.
Free-Classic movies website which uploads movies on public domain has this movie as does youtube. Anyone interested can watch it on the link below. I may see other movies of this series in next few weeks.
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Post by Nalkarj on Jul 26, 2018 12:31:23 GMT
Inspector Hornleigh on Holiday, Aj_June… Is that the one with the same twist as the Rathbone/Bruce House of Fear (’45)? Pretty clever, if it’s the one I’m thinking of—a variation on Christie’s And Then There Were None, in fact…
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Post by Aj_June on Jul 26, 2018 14:52:02 GMT
Inspector Hornleigh on Holiday, Aj_June … Is that the one with the same twist as the Rathbone/Bruce House of Fear (’45)? Pretty clever, if it’s the one I’m thinking of—a variation on Christie’s And Then There Were None, in fact… **Spoilers ahead**
Yep....You have correctly picked the main plot twist of Inspector Hornleigh on Holiday, Salzmank. Must say that you pay attention to detail! I didn't think about that when I saw it. It resembles with House of Fear in that the club members try to collect insurance for deceased who are but still living and they attempt to replace the bodies of those pretending to be dead by some lookalike.
There are two more movies in Inspector Hornleigh series. IMDB ratings suggests that all 3 are decent for one view.
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Post by marshamae on Jul 26, 2018 18:24:46 GMT
Any film with Alastair Sim is always worth a look.
A few that have not been mentioned yet
Dulcimer Street , also known as London Belongs With Me. Stars Richard Attenborough in one of his young psychopath stories. Sim is a fellow lodger . As always he steals every scene he’s in.
The Doctor’s Dilemma- a lesser known Shaw script, off beat casting with Leslie Caron as a woman trying to convince a doctor that her artist husband ( Dirk Bogarde) is a life worth saving. It’s a very dark witty comedy and Sim fits in perfectly.
Sorry to see the shade thrown at Stagefright. I’m very fond of this film. It’s a good script, much more British than any of Hitchcock’s 1940’s films .its not one of his great films, but it’s got a lot to recommend it. Wyman is not quite convincing as Sim’s daughter. It’s partly her age, partly her accent. But she is good enough.
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Post by london777 on Jul 27, 2018 0:14:26 GMT
I think it may be the voice, that burr with just a hint of authority that is undermined by its pomposity and the amazing contortions Sim can do with his face. He is both in charge and slightly ridiculous. That is exactly how I feel about Sim but you put it in better words. Beat me to it, Aj_June! A very perceptive comment by Salzmank. |
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Post by rudeboy on Jul 27, 2018 1:07:05 GMT
Wonderful Alastair Sim, always a joy and instantly able to elevate anything in which he appears.
A few months back I watched the otherwise forgettable Hue & Cry, in which he is magic in his brief scenes.
As others have mentioned, he was far and away the best Scrooge, never to be toppled (although I am fond of George C. Scott's interpretation) and The Happiest Days of Your Life is glorious fun.
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Post by Nalkarj on Jul 27, 2018 1:29:45 GMT
That is exactly how I feel about Sim but you put it in better words. Beat me to it, Aj_June! A very perceptive comment by Salzmank. Thanks, London. |
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Post by Aj_June on Oct 9, 2018 14:40:11 GMT
Alastair Sim was born on 9th October, 1900. He will remain forever one of my "go-to" actors. Actors whose movies I see when I feel stressed and want to see the brighter side of life.
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Post by teleadm on Oct 9, 2018 18:07:38 GMT
 The inimitable Millicent Fritton. |
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Post by hitchcockthelegend on Oct 10, 2018 6:09:34 GMT
Absolute legend, a true classic actor befitting the word, important to note he had his own style that couldn't be copied.
Sim films of importance and that they show his diversity.
Cottage to Let (1941)
Green for Danger (1946)
Hue and Cry (1947) (not a great film but important in the history of Ealing Studios and a marker for Sim's future work)
The Happiest Days of Your Life (1950)
Laughter in Paradise (1951) (actually need to revisit and review it!)
Scrooge (1951)
An Inspector Calls (1954)
The Belles of St. Trinian's (1954)
The Green Man (1956)
School for Scoundrels (1960)
Most wanted > Law and Disorder (1940) and Escapade (1955)
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Post by Aj_June on Oct 10, 2018 7:15:09 GMT
Absolute legend, a true classic actor befitting the word, important to note he had his own style that couldn't be copied. Sim films of importance and that they show his diversity. Cottage to Let (1941) Green for Danger (1946) Hue and Cry (1947) (not a great film but important in the history of Ealing Studios and a marker for Sim's future work) The Happiest Days of Your Life (1950) Laughter in Paradise (1951) (actually need to revisit and review it!) Scrooge (1951) An Inspector Calls (1954) The Belles of St. Trinian's (1954) The Green Man (1956) School for Scoundrels (1960) Most wanted > Law and Disorder (1940) and Escapade (1955) Great to know that you are also a fan of Sim, Spike! I have seen and enjoyed all those movies you listed expect Cottage to Let (1941) which I have not seen yet. I didn't thought of it before but you are so true in saying that no one has been able to copy his style. I am trying to catch up with Sim's 30s movies these days. Inspector Hornleigh series seems to be pretty good. I don't know if it is my fav Sim movie but it is definitely the one I have seen most times (may be 4 times I guess or could even be 5). And I also see certain scenes of this movie on youtube on many occasions. It's a pure gem. Great roles by Guy Middleton, Fay Compton and George Cole too. |
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Post by manfromplanetx on Oct 10, 2018 7:32:19 GMT
A highly entertaining film with yet another wonderful performance from Alistair Sim is, Climbing High (1938) An early film from director Carol Reed. The farce has an all star cast headed by Jesse Mathews and Michael Redgrave. It is a delightful romantic comedy, Sim plays Max a daffy socialist, poverty stricken he takes on a job for an advertising agency ..   |
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Post by Aj_June on Oct 10, 2018 9:40:05 GMT
A highly entertaining film with yet another wonderful performance from Alistair Sim is, Climbing High (1938) An early film from director Carol Reed. The farce has an all star cast headed by Jesse Mathews and Michael Redgrave. It is a delightful romantic comedy, Sim plays Max a daffy socialist, poverty stricken he takes on a job for an advertising agency .. Excellent, planet. Didn't know Sim acted in a movie of great Carol Reed. I need to catch this one, Michael Redgrave would be an awesome bonus! |
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Post by hi224 on Oct 12, 2018 5:35:02 GMT
hes awesome.
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Post by louise on Oct 14, 2018 12:30:16 GMT
A highly entertaining film with yet another wonderful performance from Alistair Sim is, Climbing High (1938) An early film from director Carol Reed. The farce has an all star cast headed by Jesse Mathews and Michael Redgrave. It is a delightful romantic comedy, Sim plays Max a daffy socialist, poverty stricken he takes on a job for an advertising agency .. He did another one with Jessie Matthews called Gangway, in which he plays a detective. |
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Post by Aj_June on Oct 8, 2019 18:50:07 GMT
Happy birthday Alastair Sim! One of my favourite actors forever. An actor who can bring a smile on your face anytime.
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Post by teleadm on Oct 11, 2019 20:45:30 GMT
 A small pic of the Great Alastair Sim in his last movie The Littelest Horse Thieves aka Escape from the Dark 1976, a Disney movie about saving ponies from mine shafts.
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