The Man in the White Suit (DVD, 2002)

Although this is great comedy, it comes wrapped around a cautionary tale as appropriate to today as it was a half century ago.

In this film, progress is pitted against industrial greed. And the textile industry, with vested interests in the status quo, puts up a furious fight to quash a new fabric which, while it would be a boon to humanity, would cut into their profits. Even though they win the fight, the film leaves us with a glimmer of hope that the struggle might continue.

Many of the cast can be recognized from other Guiness comedies. Joan Greenwood is unforgetable as the daughter of an industrialist who falls for Guiness's single-minded inventor. Her father, a mill owner, is acted by Cecil Parker, while Ernest Thesiger plays an appropriately sinister head of the industrial cartel.

Despite the serious message, this is a comedy and high comedy at that. Guiness is always enjoyable to watch, and this is one of his many finer performances. Definitely on my list of "must have" comedies.