Cheeky Bob

I was doing some research for another thread when I stumbled across this - I've only glanced at it so far, but it looks pretty impressive.

Essentially, it's an online interactive video guide to Ealing's output (not just the comedies), presented by Jonathan Ross - and as far as I can see there are no viewing restrictions aside from connection speed.

Apologies if this has already been mentioned, but I couldn't find a reference.

Nick Dando

I've bookmarked it for when I have some more time to devote to it. Thanks for pointing it out.

Nick

DB7

Bit shameful how The Man in the White Suit doesn't get a mention as one of the 'Ealing Comedies,' although Ross does give it a slight namecheck near the end. It's good to see some of the Screenonline streaming media being made available for Joe Public too. There's also a good Daniel Day Lewis narrated Ealing documentary and I recall Stuart Maconie visiting the studios for the Beeb as part of the centenary.

Ady

Great link ! Thanks.

That Gurgle sound effect used for Guinness's equipment - I seem to remember it being used for allsorts in the 60s/70s

Jmills88

Hey! I am a student attending Winstanley college, in Wigan, UK.
I am currently doing a critical research module for media studies, and it would be very useful to hear peoples views to use as research. My topic is..
"What is the portray of criminals in Ealing comedies?"
The main films im studying are The ladykillers, Kind Hearts and Coronets, The Lavander Hill Mob and The Man In The White Suit, but please talk about any Ealing films that take you fancy!
Looking forward to seeing your views!

JamesM

Well at least you're honest.

My view is that you should watch the films you mention. You could perhaps replace The Man in the White Suit with Whisky Galore!

spinalman

Surely the research bit is to watch the films, and critical bit is for you to write down your resultant opinions afterwards? Our opinions would be less valid than yours as it is not our project - where would the educational element be if we did?

Paul

Jmills88

I have watched them, i need to do research into other peoples views as well as my own, if you'd bothered to reply why couldnt you just share your view instead of being pernickety..

spinalman

OK, I'll help. You first though. What did you think of them, what is the thrust of your findings for each? Is there a trend -as the directors and screenplays were from different talent? and what about man in the White Suit that sits uncomfortably in the selection. Can you also clarify the question please?

Paul

Jim

The question: What is the portrey of criminals in Ealing comedies? Is that a missed keystroke? Should that be portrayal?

Good morning boys.

DB7

Your view of the films would kick the debate off well. For instance, what is Alec Guinness' crime in Man in the White Suit? Or is the criminality the attempt at holding the frustrated chemist against his will?

Jmills88

Ok, my view is that the post war comedies show a rebellious and cool criminal, but to keep in with regulations at the time showing the success of criminals would have been frowned upon so most show the eventual downfall, giving a sort of 'crime doesnt pay' message. I like the ambiguity that Kind Hearts ends on as well, but again the films portrays Louis as successful as a result of his crime. Can i have your views now. Please?

spinalman

Hi JMills88,

I think that is a significant theme -that they don't succeed, but not unique -echoed in the many subsequent films (League of gentlemen, Italian Job, Wrong Arm of the Law, ). The criminals are often everymen, endearing, bumbling and sympathetic (continued in Passport to Pimilico) - contrast those with slightly earlier criminal portrayals in Ealing's Hue and Cry. With the exception of KH the crimes are victimless, against institutions- perhaps even fair game. One could argue the D'Ascoygne family in KH were also portrayed as "institutional" and deserving of their fate. Is that stance a post war thing? -tapping into the feeling of individuals against repression, a restricted state, making best of opportunities presented to them.

The Sid James character in LHM is curious - he's a real criminal (as opposed to the Holloway and Guinness amateurs) yet is still portrayed as a bloke trying to make a honest living stealing stuff. In Hue and Cry the "Mr Big' of the crime caper is played by Jack Warner, and is genuinely a nasty piece of work... he didn't get typecast, and seemed to play Policeman from then on!

Man in the White Suit is a strange choice...the only crime I see is the mob attacking our hero when their jobs are threatened. Whisky Galore is indeed a more consistent choice, or Passport to Pimlico.

Paul

Carmel

I found that in the films you mention is that they made crime look great and adventurous and did not portray what crime really was in those days hard, rough and not always with reward. Simular to today but todays crime films tend to show you the hard ways that crime is dealt with and with more blood and gore where as in the 40's and 50's the policemen where always portrayed sweet and nice and homely same as the criminals where today they are portrayed hard and cold.

Steve Crook

It's odd that The Blue Lamp showed a lot of the rough side of crime and criminals. But that led to Dixon of Dock Green which would have you believe that the police force was all sweetness and light.

Steve