From director Ronald Neame (The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, The Poseidon Adventure), any old film with Sir Alec Guinness is definitely worth trying in my opinion. Basically this is the charming story of Edward Henry 'Denry' Machin (Guinness), who finds many ways to rise in the ranks of business and social standing, both honest and some dishonest, and you can't help but like him. It starts with a job in an accountants, and then an invitation to a ball for the Countess of Chell (Valerie Hobson), and he keeps getting more and more money with every new and better job who charms his way into. He also forms a bond with dance teacher Ruth Earp (Mary Poppins' Glynis Johns), they do break up and he finds a new love with Nellie Cotterill (Petula Clark), but in the end, he manages to get to the rank of town mayor. Also starring Edward Chapman as Mr. Duncalf, Veronica Turleigh as Mrs. Machin, George Devine as Mr. Calvert, Gibb McLaughlin as Emery, Frank Pettingell as Police Superintendent, Joan Hickson as Mrs. Codleyn and Michael Hordern as Bank Manager. Guinness doesn't have to try to be nice and charming, he is so natural and I just found myself smiling all the way, and the support of Johns and Hobson are good too. I can see what the critics mean when they say that it is trying to present itself like an Ealing Studios comedy, but it doesn't matter, it is a nice pleasant film. It was nominated the Oscar for Best Sound, Recording. Sir Alec Guinness was number 12 on The 50 Greatest British Actors, he was number 2 on Britain's Finest Actors, and he was number 11 on The World's Greatest Actor. Good!
Review of The Promoter
