The best Ealing comedies
The top 3 according to 142 votes from people: The Man in the White Suit (1951) · Whisky Galore! (1949) · The Ladykillers (1955). (Updated May 2, 2024.)
Murderous heirs, inept crooks, a London borough that declares independence and a Scottish island full of whisky: the Ealing Studios comedies as ranked by the Guardian, plus a few more worth finding.
Top 11
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1
The Man in the White Suit (1951)
Alexander Mackendrick. A chemist invents a fabric that never wears out or gets dirty.
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2
Whisky Galore! (1949)
Alexander Mackendrick. Islanders rescue the cargo of a whisky ship in wartime.
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3
The Ladykillers (1955)
Alexander Mackendrick. A gang of robbers lodging with a sweet old lady.
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4
Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
Robert Hamer. A poor relation murders his way to a dukedom; Alec Guinness plays eight victims.
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5
Passport to Pimlico (1949)
Henry Cornelius. A London district discovers it belongs to Burgundy.
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6
Hue and Cry (1947)
Charles Crichton. Boys find crooks using their comic to send messages. The first Ealing comedy.
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7
The Lavender Hill Mob (1951)
Charles Crichton. A meek bank clerk plans to smuggle gold as Eiffel Tower souvenirs.
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8
The Magnet (1950)
Charles Frend. A boy tricks a younger child out of a magnet and spirals into guilt.
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9
The Titfield Thunderbolt (1953)
Charles Crichton. Villagers take over their branch railway line.
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10
His Excellency (1952)
Robert Hamer. A trade unionist is sent to govern a British colony.
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11
A Run for Your Money (1949)
Charles Frend. Two Welsh miners loose in London on rugby international day.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
Is something missing?
Comments (1)
Man in the White Suit at the top?? It's good but Kind Hearts and Coronets is one of the best British films full stop. Guinness playing all those d'Ascoynes is untouchable.