You know what book you probably didn’t realise you needed in your life? An ungossipy, undramatic collection of musings from an octogenarian movie star, that’s what. And, more specifically, one with excellent tastes in books. Does such a thing even exist? Thankfully, it does in the form of A Positively Final Appearance by Alec Guinness.
Published in 1999 and covering the period from 1996 to 1998, this was Guinness’ third collection of his diaries but the first I’ve read. And how happy I am that I did! Guinness is never an actor I’ve been particularly interested in, despite him being the star of my very favourite film, The Bridge on the River Kwai. I’ve seen much of his work – he stared in David Lean’s most iconic films, before, of course, taking on the two roles he is best remembered for: Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars and George Smiley in the television adaptation of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy – without ever feeling much interest in him personally. Which, I get the impression reading this, is very much as he would have liked it. But then Michael Dirda mentioned this in Browsings (which is the book that keeps on giving thanks to all the wonderful recommendations I got from it) and I had to give it a try.
The book is focused on Guinness’ observations as he moves through the years. It is not a celebrity memoir where the focus is anecdotes about the famous and infamous (go to David Niven if that’s what you’re looking for); instead, we hear mostly about Guinness’ family (wife, son, grandchildren, and great-grandchild), his thoughts on current events (the 1997 election and Princess Diana’s death are both remarked on), and, best of all, his reading. Because it turns out that Guinness was a reader and a proper one who formed attachments to authors, read widely and eclectically, and, if he had still be around by the time it was published, would almost certainly have loved Slightly Foxed and probably wanted to write for it.
And what does he read? He loves Shakespeare, suitable enough for an actor who got his start on the stage, and has a particular fondness for Trollope, calling him “the most English of great Englishmen” and admiring his ability to capture men and women as they are and always will be in his books:
The pleasure lies in recognizing, today, habits which were to be found among us a hundred and twenty years ago however much the mores and manners have changed; and a hundred years before that, and before that as well. The sense of continuity, going both backwards and forwards, I find entirely rewarding.
From there his reading wanders. He mentions James Lee-Milne’s diaries, Dickens, Patrick O’Brien, Iris Origo, Henry James, and, much to my delight, From the Holy Mountain by William Dalrymple – the book I’d bought just before I started reading this. I always take it as a good sign when my reading aligns like that.
Unlike the average aged celebrity diary, Guinness focuses on his life at the time, not on past glories. He relishes visits from his family and close friends, and enjoys spending time with his wife, Merula. I particularly loved hearing how he commemorated their 60th wedding anniversary: rather than buying jewellery, he bought his wife a painting and masses of gardenias, the flower he used to bring her every Friday evening when they were engaged.
I also, it must be said, loved hearing his views on the 1997 election, which feel especially poignant these days:
If only one party had a bold, enthusiastic pro-European line I would be genuinely behind it. Without Europe I have a gut feeling we are lost.
But every life involves reminiscing too and Guinness chooses anecdotes from his career wisely. I enjoyed this one from an ill-fated run as Romeo in 1939:
The first night was memorable. I lept the garden wall for the balcony scene – ‘He jests at scars that never felt a wound’ – whereupon the wall fell flat. With professional sang-froid I ignored the whole thing and struck a romantic pose of extreme yearning.
But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?
It is the east and Juliet is the sun.At which moment the balcony fell off, to reveal, gasping with astonishment, Miss Stanley in her nightie. Another foot forward and she would have tumbled to her eternal rest. The curtain was lowered. After ten minutes of hammering we started again, to tumultuous applause. The audience was thoroughly enjoying the mishaps, as they always do, but they also wanted, I think, to show their admiration for Miss Stanley not succumbing to the vapours.
But the most horrifyingly memorable story comes not from the world of stage or film but from a society party where he was seated with Cyril Connolly, Frederick Ashton, Hugh Trevor-Roper, a young Princess Margaret, and an intoxicated and uninhibited Lady Diana Cooper:
‘Can’t go out unless I take a little fortification,’ [Lady Diana] said to me. ‘Too nervous. Stage fright. Tonight I fortified myself twice, which was foolish.’
She eyed her fellow diners. ‘Who’s that little man?’ she asked me in a loud whisper.
‘Cyril Connolly.’
‘I can’t bear him,’ she said, full voice, and picked up a roll and flung it at him. It was a good shot and struck him on the forehead. Connolly flushed but otherwise didn’t react.
Not quite the polished society matron that evening! I can’t imagine what that would have been like to witness. It does remind me that I want to read Lady Diana’s memoirs though (all three volumes of which are being reissued next month by Vintage).
In the end, I was left with the impression of Guinness as a kind, thoughtful person, a loving friend and husband, and an interested reader. And that is the kind of epitaph we should all aim for.
I think I would like this one – I’ve always had a fondness for Guinness and thought he came across as a lovely man, and it sounds as if that really was the case!
I think you’d enjoy it and it would certainly reinforce your impression of him as a lovely person!
I actually enjoy a lot this actor. Even though I usually don’t read books by/about actors, this one sounds very good