The Ealing Comedies - 'The Man in the White Suit' Quiz

Answer: Alec Guinness

Knighted by HM Queen Elizabeth II in 1959, Sir Alec Guinness was to appear regularly in the films produced by Ealing Studios. His debut for Ealing was playing the role of eight members of the D'Ascoyne family in the 1949 production of 'Kind Hearts and Coronets', although this was actually the fifth of the films generally considered comprising this series of comedies.

His final film for the Ealing studio was 'Barnacle Bill' which was released in 1957 and in which he, again, played multiple roles.

It was during 1957 that Guinness also received an Academy Award for his role in the film 'The Bridge on the River Kwai'. Guinness went on to appear in many more films and in a number of television series, most notably playing the role of George Smiley in two adaptations of works by John Le Carré, 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' and 'Smiley's People'. Perhaps his most famous character role was that of Obi-Wan-Kenobi in the 1977 film 'Star Wars' which although highly successful, was a franchise that he later came to detest. Sir Alec Guinness passed away after suffering from liver cancer on the 5th of August 2000 at the age of 86.

Answer: Corland Ltd

In the film's earlier scenes, the name Corland Ltd can be clearly seen on the outside of the mill building, especially in those scenes which the look across the town from Birnley's mill. Stratton had been educated as a chemist at Cambridge University and had gained a first class honours degree and fellowship.

It is never revealed how he had managed to infiltrate the research laboratory at the mill or indeed, how he had begun using the facilities to work on his experiments unbeknown to the laboratory management. Unfortunately for Stratton, the sound made by his unusual experiment aroused the suspicions of the laboratory manager.

It was also revealed during the subsequent investigation that he had been embezzling the funds with which to carry out his work. Realising that the game was up, Stratton abandoned the equipment and departed Corland Ltd.

Answer: Stratton's experiment

The sounds that accompanied Stratton's experiments were the creation of sound editor Margaret Habberfield who did not, unfortunately, receive any credit for her work. These sounds were later set to music by Jack Parnell and released as a record, 'The White Suit Samba', the lyrics to the song being provided by the prolific screenwriting contributor to the Ealing Studios, T.E.B 'Tibby' Clarke.

Answer: An electron microscope

It was whilst Stratton was at the Labour Exchange that he was offered the opportunity to work at Birnley's Mill. At this point he was employed at Birnley's as a handyman, but his talents were noticed by the laboratory manager when he displayed an extensive knowledge of the microscope's component parts.

He had also prevented the new equipment from being severely damaged through not being powered up in the correct sequence. Asked if he could spare some time to help set the equipment up in the laboratory, Stratton agreed, realising that this was his chance to carry on with the work that had been curtailed when he had been compelled to leave his previous employer.

Answer: He is thrown from a speeding car.

Daphne Birnley, played by another Ealing regular Joan Greenwood, recognizes Stratton after passing him in a hallway at her father's mill. She had caught sight of him briefly whilst on a visit to her fiancée Michael Corland, the owner of rivals Corland Ltd.

After their encounter in the hallway, Stratton, who had also recognised Daphne, attempts to make a rapid escape but is pursued by her. Stratton realises that Daphne is likely to tell her father about him and decides to try to talk her out of doing so.

He eventually prevents her from leaving the mill and pleads with her to keep quiet for a day or two. Daphne refuses and speeds away in her sports car. Desperate to prevent this, Stratton climbs onto the car only to be thrown clear as Daphne swerves suddenly in order to shake him off.

After returning to see if Stratton has been injured, they begin to talk and Daphne is intrigued at the work he is carrying out. She decides, at this point, not to tell her father about Stratton's experiments.

Answer: Two volumes of the Encyclopaedia Britannica

Daphne's father is so surprised at her choice of books because she had shown little, if any, interest in science or what went on in her father's business; added to the fact that she had shown little interest in reading either. In fact, Daphne had made it clear that she hated the town, the mill and everything about the industry!

Answer: Explosions

Alan Birnley had expressly instructed his senior staff to ensure that any information regarding Stratton's work is kept a closely guarded secret. However, in order to finalise the transformation of the chemicals into a long chain molecule, Stratton must pass an electrical charge through the mixture. On many occasions this leads to a huge explosion, another destroys the laboratory, resulting in another massive repair bill for the mill owner. Clearly, this state of affairs could not have continued without someone on the outside having their suspicions raised.

Answer: Cutting torch

The only way to cut Stratton's indestructible new material is to use a cutting torch. Whilst he is being measured up he asks Mr Birnley if he can have the paper patterns in order to get templates made for the final cutting process.
"Just as you wish sir," adds the tailor. "I suppose you wouldn't prefer it if we cut them out?"
"Oh, I'm afraid you wouldn't be able to," replies a smug-looking Stratton glancing toward a seated and relaxed Mr Birnley with the puzzled tailor and his assistant looking on.

Answer: A large metal plaque

Once news of Stratton's discovery reaches the owner of Corland Ltd, concerns for the future of the industry grow. Sir John Kierlaw, a mysterious peer and the most powerful industrialist of the day, travels to Birnley's mill to meet with Alan Birnley and Stratton.

After being offered a quarter of a million pounds, Stratton realises that the powers-that-be have no intention whatsoever of allowing his fabric to go into production and so he makes his escape. After a short chase Stratton is surrounded in the mill's entrance foyer. Stratton topples a bronze bust which, in turn, knocks a metal plaque off the wall above which hits him on the head and renders him unconscious. For his safety and to prevent him from revealing the secret of his new wonder material to the press, Stratton is cared for at the home of Alan Birnley, but the rebellious Daphne assists him in escaping from out of an upstairs window using a length of the new thread in the place of a rope.

Whilst this scene was being filmed, Alec Guinness was slightly injured after a minor fall when the wire that he was suspended from during the escape scene snapped.

Answer: It decomposes and falls apart.

In the final scenes of the film we see Stratton cornered in a street by his pursuers. As one of them grabs him by his lapels, the material, which has now become chemically unstable, starts to fall apart. The mob begin pulling at his clothing and, within a very short time, Stratton is left standing alone dressed in nothing but his shirt and underwear whilst his pursuers stand around mocking him in his embarrassment. Finally, a kind hearted member of the mob offers him a long coat with which to cover himself.

The film ends with a brief narrative from Alan Birnley stating that the world has seen the last of Sidney Stratton... Or at least he hopes it has!