{"id":19637,"date":"2011-09-15T11:02:48","date_gmt":"2011-09-15T18:02:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=19637"},"modified":"2021-07-26T14:30:22","modified_gmt":"2021-07-26T21:30:22","slug":"man-in-the-white-suit-the-1951","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=19637","title":{"rendered":"Man in the White Suit, The (1951)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;He&#8217;s made a new kind of cloth. It never gets dirty, and it lasts forever!&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Man-in-the-White-Suit-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Man-in-the-White-Suit-Poster-196x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"196\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-19638\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Man-in-the-White-Suit-Poster-196x300.jpg 196w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Man-in-the-White-Suit-Poster-83x128.jpg 83w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Man-in-the-White-Suit-Poster.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 196px) 100vw, 196px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nWhen a scientist (Alec Guinness) creates an indestructible, impenetrable new fiber, he&#8217;s surprised to learn that both factory owners and factory employees want to suppress his invention.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Alec Guinness Films<\/li>\n<li>Alexander Mackendrick Films<\/li>\n<li>Black Comedy<\/li>\n<li>Class Relations<\/li>\n<li>Corruption<\/li>\n<li>Inventors<\/li>\n<li>Joan Greenwood Films<\/li>\n<li>Play Adaptation<\/li>\n<li>Scientists<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Response to Peary\u2019s Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nPeary rightfully argues that this &#8220;classic Ealing Studios satire&#8221; &#8212; highlighting the strategic value of &#8220;planned obsolescence&#8221; &#8212; is a &#8220;cynical film&#8221; which &#8220;shows disenchantment with selfish British workers, who are supposed to be the consumers&#8217; watchdog &#8212; since they are consumers themselves &#8212; but are resistant to making better, cheaper products because of job insecurity&#8221;. Indeed, while we&#8217;ve (sadly) come to expect rampant corruption from higher-up executives &#8212; who are &#8220;portrayed [here] as devious men who couldn&#8217;t care less about the practical value of Guinness&#8217;s invention if it means their profits will go down&#8221; &#8212; it&#8217;s genuinely disheartening (and surprising) to witness Guinness turned into an all-purpose social pariah (with the exception, of course, of sexy Joan Greenwood, who remains his one true supporter throughout). Peary laments the fact that &#8220;because scientist Guinness &#8230; has nothing in common with common men &#8212; he&#8217;s pragmatic rather than being humanistic or idealist &#8212; that leaves no one (no worker, no humanist) to be the shafted consumer&#8217;s representative in industry&#8221;. <\/p>\n<p>As indicated in the quotes above, Peary&#8217;s review focuses exclusively on the social message of <em>The Man in the White Suit<\/em> (based on a play by Scottish writer Roger MacDougall) &#8212; and a powerful, smartly scripted message it is, never dumbing down its content, and unafraid to take the outrageous scenario all the way to its bitter end. Yet there are other noteworthy elements in the film to call out as well &#8212; starting with Guinness&#8217;s portrayal as the iconoclastic genius, simply one of many outstanding performances he provided for Ealing Studios during this early period in his career. Meanwhile, film fanatics will surely be tickled by the irony of Ernest Thesiger (who portrayed one of cinema&#8217;s most iconic &#8220;mad scientists&#8221;, Dr. Pretorius, in James Whale&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=17366\"><em>The Bride of Frankenstein<\/em><\/a>) being cast here as a character diametrically <em>opposed<\/em> to Guinness&#8217;s &#8220;semi-mad&#8221; initiatives. And Joan Greenwood is impressive in what could easily have been a thankless role, as the daughter and fiancee of industrialists who experiences a growing sense of social consciousness over the course of the film (indeed, in some ways, her character possesses more dimension than Guinness&#8217;s). <\/p>\n<p>Also of note are the fine set designs (both inside the two laboratories, and out on the streets), and Douglas Slocombe&#8217;s consistently atmospheric cinematography. Finally, as director of the entire affair, Alexander Mackendrick clearly deserves kudos as well. He strikes a fine balance between dark humor and social gravitas, giving us one of the most uniquely subversive cinematic stories ever told. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Alec Guinness as Sidney Stratton<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Man-in-the-White-Suit-Guinness.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Man-in-the-White-Suit-Guinness.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"544\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-19641\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Man-in-the-White-Suit-Guinness.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Man-in-the-White-Suit-Guinness-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Man-in-the-White-Suit-Guinness-300x226.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Joan Greenwood as Daphne<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Man-in-the-White-Suit-Greenwood.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Man-in-the-White-Suit-Greenwood.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"544\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-19642\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Man-in-the-White-Suit-Greenwood.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Man-in-the-White-Suit-Greenwood-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Man-in-the-White-Suit-Greenwood-300x226.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Ernest Thesiger&#8217;s fun cameo as Sir John Kierlaw<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Man-in-the-White-Suit-Thesiger.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Man-in-the-White-Suit-Thesiger.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"544\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-19643\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Man-in-the-White-Suit-Thesiger.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Man-in-the-White-Suit-Thesiger-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Man-in-the-White-Suit-Thesiger-300x226.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Fine set designs<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Man-in-the-White-Suit-Sets2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Man-in-the-White-Suit-Sets2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"544\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-19644\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Man-in-the-White-Suit-Sets2.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Man-in-the-White-Suit-Sets2-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Man-in-the-White-Suit-Sets2-300x226.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Alexander Mackendrick&#8217;s confident direction<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Man-in-the-White-Suit-Direction.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Man-in-the-White-Suit-Direction.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"544\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-19645\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Man-in-the-White-Suit-Direction.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Man-in-the-White-Suit-Direction-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Man-in-the-White-Suit-Direction-300x226.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Douglas Slocombe&#8217;s cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Man-in-the-White-Suit-Cinematography.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Man-in-the-White-Suit-Cinematography.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"544\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-19646\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Man-in-the-White-Suit-Cinematography.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Man-in-the-White-Suit-Cinematography-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Man-in-the-White-Suit-Cinematography-300x226.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>An incredibly smart script<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, as one of Ealing Studios&#8217; finest works.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Genuine Classic<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0044876\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1952\/04\/01\/archives\/the-screen-in-review-alec-guinness-is-man-in-the-white-suit-a.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/moria.co.nz\/sciencefiction\/man-in-the-white-suit-1951.htm\">Moria Review (spoilers alert)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s627alec.html\">DVD Savant Review (scroll down to first review)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.digitallyobsessed.com\/displaylegacy.php?ID=3994\">Digitally Obsessed Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/82658\/the-man-in-the-white-suit\/#articles-reviews?articleId=12648\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.timeout.com\/movies\/the-man-in-the-white-suit\">Time Out Capsule Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;He&#8217;s made a new kind of cloth. It never gets dirty, and it lasts forever!&#8221; Synopsis: When a scientist (Alec Guinness) creates an indestructible, impenetrable new fiber, he&#8217;s surprised to learn that both factory owners and factory employees want to suppress his invention. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Alec Guinness Films Alexander Mackendrick Films Black Comedy Class Relations Corruption Inventors Joan Greenwood Films Play Adaptation Scientists Response to Peary\u2019s Review: Peary rightfully argues that this &#8220;classic Ealing Studios satire&#8221; &#8212;&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=19637\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19637","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-responses-to-peary"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19637","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=19637"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19637\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":74442,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19637\/revisions\/74442"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=19637"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=19637"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=19637"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}