Kind Hearts and Coronets

One film in which distinguished performer Alec Guinness was to prove his acting versatility was in the 1949 black comedy Kind Hearts and Coronets, in which he played no less than eight roles.

Director Robert Hamer wrote the screenplay for this farcical tale of English nobility with John Dighton.

Basically, the plot is this: Louis Mazzini's mother belonged to the aristocratic D'Ascoyne family, but when she ran away with an opera singer, the familiy disowned her. As an adult, Louis decides that should rightfully become the next Duke of the family. To achieve this goal, he has to murder the eight others who proceed him in the line of ascension.

Dennis Price plays the penniless young hero. Alec Guinness played all eight victims - a general, a snob, a photographer, a suffragette, an admiral, a clergyman, a banker and the duke. Joan Greenwood was also excellent as the evil Sybilla.

Kind Hearts and Coronets is one of the series of quality comedies to come from the British Ealing Studios. However, this one stands out from the rest. It is a comedy with an outrageous plot; yet the drama is compelling and credible.

There is talk of a US remake of Kind Hearts and Coronets, with Robin Williams taking on the parts played by Guinness.

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