Jun 21st  
The Horse's Mouth*           
(GB 1958)
United Artists/Knightsbridge. 93m.

An elderly artist connives his way into various wealthy admirers of his work on his self-destructive path.
An offbeat choice for both director and star, who for once scores better as a writer than actor, with his characterisation a mixture of overplayed caricature and thoughtful introspection which doesn't quite ring true. Some good supporting cameos but they are often too brief.

Written by: Alec Guinness, from the novel by Joyce Cary.
Producer: John Bryan.
Director: Ronald Neame.
Starring: Alec Guinness, Kay Walsh, Mike Morgan, Ernest Thesiger, Renee Houston, Robert Coote, Michael Gough, Reginald Beckwith.
Photography: Arthur Ibbetson.
Musical Direction: Kenneth V. Jones.
Paintings: John Bratby.

+ Mike Morgan's last film, dying at the age of 29 of meningitis before the film's release (with his voice dubbed)

Preceded by:
The Great Pram Race*
(GB 1977. 23m.; The annual Hertford Heath charity event, spliced together as a spoof sports semi-documentary with sometimes relevant comedic commentary by Peter Sellers.; w, p, d: James Hill.)