Hidden away in a lab, Sidney Stratton (Alec Guinness) is a chemist with great plans. Of course, his employer is entirely unaware of his plans and is thus horrified upon discovering how much money has somehow been funding his research. As luck would have it, he is finally successful, but no one cares. He is tossed out on his ear and his successful experiment is dumped in the nearest sink. Undeterred, Sidney finds employment in the loading docks of another company, using his foot in the door to acquire another lab for his experiments. Through a misunderstanding, he does just that with the company's endorsement. His research proves highly explosive but finally successful. He has created a nigh-indestructible fabric that will utterly change the textile industry. Not everyone is happy about his invention.
Daphne Birnley (Joan Greenwood) is engaged to Michael Corland (Michael Gough), an executive with the company that fired Stratton, and the daughter of Alan Birnley (Cecil Parker), the owner of the company where Stratton has had success. Daphne is taken with Sidney, seeing him as a brilliant mad scientist who refuses to sell his formula so it can be deep-sixed. As his research took place primarily in two companies, they argue who should really get credit. Meanwhile, the bigwigs of the textile industry are on their way to put the kibosh on this new fabric.
Rarely a laugh out loud type of comedy, it is immensely entertaining, nonetheless. Alec Guinness is outstanding as the idealistic and somewhat bumbling scientist. Joan Greenwood has a great arc where she is initially determined to torpedo Stratton's research but is eventually his greatest ally. She positively smolders with her smoky voice and sultry stares. She gives a film noire feel to this oddball comedy. Cecil Parker is excellent as the business owner who is out of his depth with this new-fangled technology. There are many bit players who do a lot with their roles. Of interest, those who oppose Sidney's miracle fabric make a really good case, not some throwaway strawman argument.
Great popcorn fun and highly recommended.
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