The Man in the White Suit
Seen it?1951 | 85 min | Comedy, Science Fiction
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh and sci-fi fans. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Light and funny.
- The pace
- Breezy, at 1 hr 25 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1951: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
The unassuming, nebbishy inventor Sidney Stratton creates a miraculous fabric that will never be dirty or worn out. Clearly he can make a fortune selling clothes made of the material, but may cause a crisis in the process. After all, once someone buys one of his suits they won't ever have to fix them or buy another one, and the clothing industry will collapse overnight. Nevertheless, Sidney is determined to put his invention on the market, forcing the clothing factory bigwigs to resort to more desperate measures...
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
100% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
6.9 out of 10
- AwardsBelow par
Nominated for 1 Oscar.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$500K worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 32K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Alexander Mackendrick
- Alec GuinnessSidney Stratton
- Joan GreenwoodDaphne Birnley
- Cecil ParkerAlan Birnley
- Michael GoughMichael Corland
- Ernest ThesigerSir John Kierlaw
- Vida HopeBertha
- Howard Marion-CrawfordCranford
- Miles MallesonThe Tailor
- Henry MollisonHoskins
- Patric DoonanFrank