Blu-ray Release: Alistair Sim’s School for Laughter

Blu-ray Release Date: Available now
Price: Blu-ray $56.24
Studio: Film Movement

The four-disc Blu-ray collection Alastair Sim’s School for Laughter spotlights the work of the popular and prolific Scottish character actor, best known as these shores for his portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge in the 1951 screen adaptation of A Christmas Carol.

Sim, whose work often found him appearing in multiple roles, starred in more than fifty films beginning in 1935, many of them the most popular British entries of their year.

Film Movement’s quartet of titles, each digitally restored in HD for optimal viewing, includes the following (as well as the following bonus features):

The Belles of St. Trinians (1954, directed by Frank Launder)
The schoolgirls of St. Trinian’s are more interested in men and mischief than homework and hockey, but even greater trouble beckons with the arrival of two new students. Features Alastair Sim playing dual roles as the headmistress, Miss Millicent Fritton, and her twin brother, Clarence. Based on the cartoons of Ronald Searle.

BONUSES:

• The Girls of St. Trinian’s featurette
• Interview with film historian Geoff Brown
• Interview with Dr. Melanie Williams, Sr. Lecturer in Film Studies, UEA
• Interview with Alastair Sim’s Daughter, Meredith McKendrick
• Interview with Steve Chibnall, Professor of British Cinema, De Montfort University

Alastair Sim in 1960’s School for Scoundrels

School for Scoundrels (1960, directed by Robert Hamer)
Henry Palfrey (Ian Carmichael) tries hard to impress but always loses out to the rotter Delauney (Terry-Thomas). Then he enrolls in the “College of Lifemanship” run by “Professor” Stephen Potter (Alastair Sim) and learns “how to win without actually cheating!” But has he the courage to put all his lessons into effect? From the director of Kind Hearts and Coronets.

BONUSES:

• Interview with Guardian film critic Peter Bradshaw
• Interview with Graham McCann, Terry-Thomas biographer
• Interview with Chris Potter, Stephen Potter’s grandson
• School for Scoundrels restored trailer

Laughter in Paradise (1951, directed by Mario Zampi)
Famed Practical joker Henry Russell (Hugh Griffith) leaves 50,000 pounds to his four surviving relatives, including his cousin, retired army officer Deniston Russell (Alastair Sim). There’s just one stipulation – each of them has to undertake a task completely out of character for one month. As each sets out on their objective they find that quite apart from the promised riches, they are unexpectedly getting a lot out of the challenge. All except caddish Simon Russell, that is. Released in 1951, Laughter In Paradise was Britain’s top-grossing film.

Hue and Cry (1947, directed by Charles Crichton)
The first of the Ealing Studios “comedies.” After discovering that his favorite comic is being used to send messages between a master criminal and his gang of thieves, teenager Joe Kirby (Harry Fowler) sets out to alert writer Felix Wilkinson (Alastair Sim) and turn the page on the crooks.

BONUSES:

• Interview with Steve Chibnall, Prof. of British Cinema, De Montfort U.
• Locations Featurette