Classic Film : The Horse's Mouth (1958)

The Horse's Mouth (1958)

As things wind down here at CFB, I wanted to give some love to this under-seen gem that holds up very well to multiple viewings. Here is my IMDb Review:


Rollicking, bittersweet portrayal of an indigent artist in postwar London. Alec Guinness is Gulley Jimson, curmudgeon and would-be lothario who curses his vocation with the same passion he pours into his paintings. The film follows Guinness on a madcap quest to regain some lost artwork, leading to antics worthy of the Marx Brothers. He is joined in his adventures by Kay Walsh as Dee Coker, Gulley's caustic barkeep gadfly who helps him look for the artwork in order to collect a debt. Mike Morgan is Nosey, the starstruck youth who follows Gulley everywhere to learn his painting secrets. Ernest Thesinger (Dr. Pretorius in Bride of Frankenstein) is the long-time benefactor of Gulley who is harassed by crank phone calls from the artist. Renee Houston steals the movie right out from under Guinness' nose in the role of Sara Monday, Gulley's ex-wife who still is sweet on him.

Screenplay adapted by Guinness from a book by Joyce Cary, directed by Ronald Neame.

"Why doesn't it fit...like it does in the mind?"

The Horse's Mouth (1958)

As iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another

Re: The Horse's Mouth (1958)

It's one of my favouite films, i think it's hilarious. alec Guiness is wonderful and all the supporting cast are excellent.

Re: The Horse's Mouth (1958)

A delicious film with a fine Alec Guinness and a good use of Prokofiev's music. A London gone forever, unfortunately.




Hodges: Are you sure that Sir and Lady Beeder are expecting you?

Gulley Jimson: Expecting me? They're down on their knees praying for me.


Yeah! That's my Gulley Jimson!!



🔺


Re: The Horse's Mouth (1958)

I agree. Sir Alec is hilarious in this movie. I bought the DVD I enjoyed it so much.

Of course, in real life, the protagonist - Gulley Jimson - would not be considered so funny.

Re: The Horse's Mouth (1958)

I do not know if this interview is on that DVD, but I think you will find it interesting, rc.

Director Ronald Neame on The Horse's Mouth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gXVeuVBIpM

As iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another

Re: The Horse's Mouth (1958)

It's posts like this that are what have made following the CFB these past few years so great.

Back in the early 80's, my English Lit teacher loaned me her copy of the Joyce Cary novel - it had nothing specifically to do with the syllabus, but she (correctly) thought I would greatly enjoy reading it. I had no idea until now that the novel had ever been filmed - I see it came out the year following the author's death.
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