The Card (1952 Ronald Neame)

Alec Guinness on wry and sparkly form as self-made man (with the rather amusing name of 'Denry'), always on the look-out for the next scheme, in Eric Ambler's most enjoyable adaptation of Arnold Bennett's novel.

The women involved are Valerie Hobson and Glynis Johns (wonderful) and Petula Clarke, with Veronica Turley his mum ('The one woman in the town who you can't get one over'). With Edward Chapman (Mandy, Gone To Earth, The History of Mr Polly, It Always Rains on Sunday, The Skin Game, Juno and the Paycock), Joan Hickson, George Devine, Michael Hordern, Wilfred Hyde White (since 1935).

Photographed by Oswald Morris largely on set (exteriors by Ernest Steward). Edited by Clive Donner. Infectious score by William Alwyn.

Her Ladyship explaining Machin's function: "He's identified with the great cause of cheering us all up."