Dear Alec: Guinness at 75

by Ronald Harwood (Editor)

'I vividly remember being greatly struck by the evident talent of a skinny boy with a sad pierrot face and big ears.'
- John Gielgud

'If I were to choose a quality to apply fairly uniformly to Alec, it would be MYSTERY - MYSTERY and MISCHIEF.'
- Peggy Ashcroft

'He is among the least actorish of actors.'
- Michael Noakes

Extracts from three of the many tributes paid to Sir Alec Guinness in a 75th birthday tribute.

Genres: Biography

140 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Sir Ronald Harwood, CBE, FRSL (born Ronald Horwitz; 9 November 1934) was an author, playwright and screenwriter. He was most noted for his plays for the British stage as well as the screenplays for The Dresser (for which he was nominated for an Oscar) and The Pianist, for which he won the 2003 Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. He was nominated for the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar for The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_H...

Reviews

[Gerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A series of reminiscences by Sir Alec Guinness' contemporaries and friends with an illuminating biographical and critical introduction by Ronald Harwood.

Among those who offer their comments are Sir John Gielgud, Peggy Ashcroft,Franco Zeffirelli, Coral Browne, Cyril Cusack and all speak highly of the great actor, who performed equally well on stage or screen. His humility is one thing that comes out and he never belittled any of his colleagues even when they were nervous newcomers. He was always there with helpful advice.

There is also a photographic essay by Lord Snowdon, which captures Sir Alec in some unusual poses.

A most enjoyable read and it is a pleasure to hear that the actor who many of us loved in such as 'The Lavender Hill Mob' and 'The Ladykillers' is a nice man!