Insights into Ealing Comedies and Their Unique Characteristics
Explore the world of Ealing comedies through the perspectives of key figures like Charles Barr, Michael Balcon, Alec Guinness, TEB Clarke, and the critical analysis of Richard Dacre. Uncover the portrayal of mild anarchy, whimsicality, and societal reflections in the iconic films of the Ealing Studio era, contrasting the styles of different screenwriters and directors within the genre.
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Presentation Transcript
Charles Barr Give evidence to match Barr s statements about Ealing Ealing was a family business The Blue Lamp is closer to the T.E.B. Clarke comedies than those comedies are to other Ealing comedies Passport to Pimlico plays out the daydream of a benevolent community .
Michael Balcon The country was tired of regulations and regimentation and there was a mild anarchy in the air. In a sense our comedies were a reflection of this mood a safety valve for our more anti-social impulses. What is Balcon talking about here? Give examples where Ealing films show mild anarchy .
Alec Guinness Explain how Alec Guinness contributes to the popular image of Ealing style Give examples
TEB Clarke At the time of Passport to Pimlico everybody wanted to share its characters freedom from rationing and petty restrictions. Give examples Does this occur in other Ealing films? Do the Tibby Clarke films have a distinct characteristic within Ealing or are they characteristic of the studio as a whole? Give examples
Get this down for the exam! The critic Richard Dacre has suggested that what we think of as the Ealing house style is actually the individual concern of screenwriter T.E.B. Clarke, the architect of Ealing s popular image of cosy whimsicality ; the films he wrote depict a Britain of shopkeepers, friendly spivs, jolly coppers, incompetent but honest bureaucrats, kind-hearted squires, contented old-age pensioners and eccentrics , while the works of Alexander Mackendrick and Robert Hamer (including Kind Hearts) offer a dark commentary on those values .
Kind Hearts and Coronetstreats the values of English culture in an angrier, more elegant, more cynical and less cautious way; it mercilessly exposes forms of behaviour, rituals and class differences How?
Key scene Louis mothers death: Louis posture faintly ridiculous photograph drops clunkingly air of theatrical awkwardness - tableau off-key effect is undoubtedly comic Why is a tram accident near Clapham Junction funny? We are not seeing life, or even the representation but the parody of the representation
Location How important is location in characterising Ealing films? Filming on location of The Lavender Hill Mob (1951) Give examples
British Values in Ealing Ealing and its films stood for decency, democracy, community, pluck and fair play: the best of British values. Mark Duguid
