Perhaps not as well-known as his Ealing comedies of the period, this Alec Guinness charmer (known as "The Promoter" Stateside) is based on an Arnold Bennett story with a script written by Eric Ambler. With three terrific leading ladies -- Valerie Hobson, Glynis Johns, and the very young Petula Clark, this film hits all the right buttons. It's a period story set in the Potteries of a poor, but ambitious, young man and how he uses his wits to achieve both wealth and position. His mobility is nearly undermined by Johns' gold-digger, but it is never in doubt that Guinness' basic cunning and goodness will not prevail. I think he's a chameleon of an actor who has never given a bad performance, and there are not many of whom one can say this. The movie is good, clean fun for all.
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