The Card is a black-and-white film version of the novel by Arnold Bennett. Entitled The Promoter for its American audience, it was adapted by Eric Ambler and directed by Ronald Neame. It was released in 1952. It starred Alec Guinness as Denry Machin, Petula Clark as Nellie Cotterill, Valerie Hobson as the Countess, and Glynis Johns as Ruth Earp. The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Sound. It is mainly faithful to the novel, omitting some minor incidents. The film follows the adventures and misadventures of Edward Henry Machin, an ambitious young man from a poor background.... Denry cheats at an examination in order to qualify for entry to a 'school for the sons of gentlemen'. At the age of 16, he becomes a junior clerk to Mr. Duncalf, the town clerk and a solicitor. He meets the charming and socially well-connected Countess of Chell, a client of Duncalf's, and is given the job of sending out invitations to a grand municipal ball. He 'invites' himself, and wins a five-pound bet , that he will dance with the Countess.
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| Release date: | 1952 |
| Directed by: | Ronald Neame |
| Runtime: | 85 Minutes |
| Producer: | Earl St. John, John Bryan |
| Editor: | Clive Donner |
| Music by: | William Alwyn |
| Cinematography: | Oswald Morris |
| Screenplay by: | Arnold Bennett, Eric Ambler |
| Genre: | Comedy |