Kind Hearts and Coronets

While Alec Guinness justly deserves rave reviews for his eight brilliant characterizations in "Kind Hearts," one must not overlook the brilliant performance of the lead, Dennis Price, one of the great character actors of the period. Price, a genuine war hero in World War II, had a career that lasted for nearly 30 years, during which he played comic and serious roles with consummate skill. No one could portray the arch, sophisticated rogue better than Price, as is evident not only in "Kind Hearts" but in another of my favorite comedies of the period "The Naked Truth" (1957, where he plays the elegant but sleazy tabloid editor/blackmailer, opposite the likes of Peter Sellers, Terry-Thomas, and Peggy Mount. He was very funny in a small role as the "gentleman con man" in Sellers' great hit of 1962, "The Wrong Arm of the Law." And for dramatic intensity one can point to his role of Major Charlie Scott in the gripping regimental drama, "The Tunes of Glory." (1960). So three cheers for Price as that charming rogue, "Louis Mazzini," in "Kind Hearts and Coronets."