ANCHOR BAY ENTERTAINMENT deserves praise, yet again, for the effort they've put forth in putting together the "ALEC GUINNESS COLLECTION."  While four of  the five films featured in the boxed set are also available separately, they're all so enjoyable, it would be a shame to not take advantage of them all.  Guinness gave Ealing Studios that extra kind of class, which has made its image symbolize "fine" entertainment so many years later.   Of the five films featured in this boxed set, only one of them, "Captain's Paradise," was filmed at another studio, and is not available separately.  In "KIND HEARTS AND CORONETS," Guinness plays multiple roles.  The main character, Louis Mazzini is frustrated at being 9th in line to become Duke of Chalfont.  Things turn comical, in a "British" sort of way, when he decides to hurry his path to ascent, by killing everyone ahead of him. While it was actually Dennis Price who played the lead role, it was Guinness who stole the film, playing each of the intended victims.

ANCHOR BAY has preserved the film's 1.33:1 aspect ratio. The black and white image is fine.  There are some minute signs of age, consisting of some scratches, but overall contrast is excellent.  The monaural sound is fine, although there is some minor hiss throughout the film.

Many Guinness fans have considered "THE LAVENDER HILL MOB" to be his best film. Guinness is simply fantastic as Henry Holland, a shy bank employee, secretly devising an ingenious scheme to steal the gold from his job, but uncertain how to hide it.  When a partner suggests melting the gold down into souvenir Eiffel towers, everything seems to fall into place, that is, until a group of schoolgirls actually buy them, not knowing of their real makeup!  "THE LAVENDER HILL MOB" is an example of great writing and directing. Director Charles Chricton is most known in America for having directed "A FISH CALLED WANDA." 

ANCHOR BAY ENTERTAINMENT has preserved the film's 1.33:1 aspect ratio and it looks great!  We've never seen a better image than the one presented here.  Sure, there are a few specks in places, but overall, the detail is superb.  The monaural sound has much less hiss than we'd expected, and it too, sounds better than any other presentation we've seen in over thirty years.

"THE LADYKILLERS" is the only "color" title in the collection.  Mrs. Wilberforce is an intrusive, but well-meaning old woman, regularly making reports to the local police department about "anything" and "everything" she finds amiss.  When hard times forces her to advertise for a lodger, things begin looking better for her.  Her new tenant, Professor Marcus(Alec Guinness) is a musician, and his band meets regularly at her home to practice.  It's not long before Ms. Wilberforce discovers that Marcus is actually a career criminal, as are all of his friends. When she accidentally uncovers 60,000 lbs of stolen loot, the gang must decide how to kill her, and things become more difficult than they'd imagined. 

ANCHOR BAY ENTERTAINMENT has preserved the film's 1.66:1 aspect ratio with 16:9 enhancement. It's a great transfer. While it's soft in spots, colors are generally rich, and there's great depth to every scene. Contrast is excellent, with deep blacks and grays. Fleshtones appear natural throughout.

The monaural sound is unremarkable, but dialogue is always intelligible and free from distortion.

In "THE MAN IN THE WHITE FLANNEL SUIT," Guinness plays Sidney Stratton, a hard-working and crafty chemist, whom, after many attempts, at as many different jobs, invents a fabric that repels dirt! The potential for a suit or dress that never needs cleaning and replacement, has many executives and textile mill employees scared for their jobs.  Fortunately for him, the owner's daughter is one of the few that comes to his side, as they try to figure out how to stop attempts at hiding his creation.

The original 1.33:1 aspect ratio is intact, and it's great to see that the black&white image is as sharp as it is here!  There's great detail throughout, and a minimum of scratches.

The monaural sound is limited in fidelity, however, dialogue is always intelligible and free from distortion.

"THE CAPTAIN'S PARADISE" is an underrated gem, starring Guinness as Captain Henry St. James, a bigamist, who as the story unfolds in flashback, has had a wonderful life. He runs a ferry traveling from Gibralter to Morocco, and has a wife in both places. The one in Morocco caters to Henry's more fanciful, wild side, providing non-stop romantic escapades, drinking and sex. His other wife in Gibralter, is a 50's type stay-at-home, reserved woman, happy to pamper and cook for him. When both women begin to feel the needs to embrace the "other" sides of their womanhood, things get uncomfortable for our Captain, with hilarious results!  

ANCHOR BAY ENTERTAINMENT has provided the correct 1.33:1 aspect ratio for this release, and it looks splendid. The detail and contrast to this image is the best of the five film transfers within the collection.  The image is nearly flawless, and there's incredible detail in the darkest scenes.

The monaural sound is fine, and fidelity is improved upon over the other titles in the collection. Dialogue is always intelligible and free from distortion.

A lobby card reproduction as well as trailers and an extensive biography of Guinness, have been included!