Ealing Studios...

One of the big names in British film and television production, Ealing Studios is the oldest continually working film facility in the world.  Situated in West London, the site has been in operation since 1902.  While not limited to humorous movies (few were made at the studios before WWII), the studios is best known for a series of post-war comedy films, known as the Ealing Comedies.

The first to be regarded as an Ealing Comedy was Hue and Cry, in 1947.  Starring the great Alastair Sim, it is a wonderful depiction of working-class children in post-war London.  Barnacle Bill (1957) is generally considered the final Ealing Comedy, although Davy (ironically, both were filmed at Elstree Studios, but under the Ealing brand) is also a contender.

Perhaps the best-known - and certainly the most popular - releases were Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949), and The Ladykillers (1955).  Yes, that is the one that was remade in recent years, starring Tom Hanks.  I've heard that the remake was very good, but knowing how much I love the original, I refuse to watch it...

Alec Guinness is the undoubted star of the series, although few Americans will realise that he made his name in comedy first, There were several other noted British performers who appeared on a somewhat regular basis, though not always in a starring role, such as John Gregson, Gordon Jackson, and Hugh Griffith.  It is also worth noting an early appearance from a young Audrey Hepburn in The Lavender Hill Mob.

Here is a complete list of the films included in the series (several were released in the U.S. under a different name), along with the stars.

Hue and Cry (1947)
Alastair Sim, Jack Warner, Valerie White, Harry Fowler.

Another Shore (1948)
Robert Beatty, Moira Lister, Stanley Holloway, Michael Medwin.

Passport to Pimlico (1949)
Stanley Holloway, Hermione Baddeley, Margaret Rutherford, Paul Dupuis.

Whisky Galore! (1949)
Basil Radford, Joan Greenwood, Catherine Lacey, Bruce Seton.

Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
Dennis Price, Joan Greenwood, Alec Guinness, Valerie Hobson.

A Run for Your Money (1949)
Donald Houston, Moira Lister, Alec Guinness, Meredith Edwards.

The Magnet (1950)
Stephen Murray, Kay Walsh, James Fox, Meredith Edwards.

The Lavender Hill Mob (1951)
Alec Guinness, Stanley Holloway, Sid James, Alfie Bass.

The Man in the White Suit (1951)
Alec Guinness, Joan Greenwood, Cecil Parker, Michael Gough.

The Titfield Thunderbolt (1953)
Stanley Holloway, George Relph, Naunton Wayne, John Gregson.

Meet Mr. Lucifer (1953)
Stanley Holloway, Peggy Cummins, Jack Watling, Barbara Murray.

The Love Lottery (1954)
David Niven, Peggy Cummins, Anne Vernon, Herbert Lom.

The Maggie (1954)
Alex MacKenzie, Paul Douglas, James Copeland, Hubert Gregg.

The Ladykillers (1955)
Katie Johnson, Alec Guinness, Cecil Parker, Herbert Lom, Peter Sellers, Danny Green,

Who Done It? (1956)
Benny Hill, Belinda Lee, David Kossoff, Garry Marsh.

Barnacle Bill (1957)
Alec Guinness, Irene Brown, Maurice Denham, Percy Herbert.

Davy (1958)
Harry Secombe, Alexander Knox, George Relph, Ron Randell.