A learned chemist is currently starting his latest labor job at his 8th textile factories where he manipulates his way into the lab in order to work on his thought to be impossible invention: a dirt resistant and non-tearable fabric. Once he does gain his own laboratory, through a liaison with the boss' daughter, and finally makes his breakthrough, it creates an uproar in the industry among both capitalists and laborers who fear the new design will put them out of business. Alexander Mackendrick's "The Man in the White Suit" is not one of the strongest of the Ealing Studios comedies to feature Alec Guinness. It seems more concerned with addressing class issues than it does with providing laughs. Still, Guinness is on top of his game as usual and that along with an intriguing premise make this mostly worthwhile.
Entertainment Magazine
A learned chemist is currently starting his latest labor job at his 8th textile factories where he manipulates his way into the lab in order to work on his thought to be impossible invention: a dirt resistant and non-tearable fabric. Once he does gain his own laboratory, through a liaison with the boss' daughter, and finally makes his breakthrough, it creates an uproar in the industry among both capitalists and laborers who fear the new design will put them out of business. Alexander Mackendrick's "The Man in the White Suit" is not one of the strongest of the Ealing Studios comedies to feature Alec Guinness. It seems more concerned with addressing class issues than it does with providing laughs. Still, Guinness is on top of his game as usual and that along with an intriguing premise make this mostly worthwhile.
