That Ealing Feeling Trivia Quiz

Answer: They declare themselves exempt from post war rationing.

"Passport to Pimlico" employs what was to become a popular theme in Ealing comedies; a small group of ordinary citizens subverting time honored British mores. In this particular plot, the much despised rationing system imposed on the citizenry during and after World War II is the subject of comic subversion.

Answer: Joan Greenwood

Joan Greenwood also lent her talents to Ealing's productions of "Kind Hearts and Coronets" (1949), and "The Man in the White Suit" (1951). She is, however, best remembered as Gwendolyn in Anthony Asquith's 1952 film adaptation of Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest".

Answer: Nine

Sir Alec not only plays Ethelred, the 8th Duke of Chalfont, but also his four brothers, one sister, two nephews and, in a flashback, his father. The story involves multiple homicides in the name of social advancement and is considered one of the great dark comedies of all time.

Answer: The Lavender Hill Mob

Released in 1951, "The Lavender Hill Mob" tells the story of a quiet and efficient bank employee named Henry Holland (Alec Guinness), whose chief responsibility is to supervise transfers of gold bullion by armored car. Unbeknownst to his employers, Holland has assembled a team of specialists who devise a clever plot to hijack an a load of bullion, melt it down, recast it, and smuggle it out and then back into England.

This film quickly became the template for comic heist films to this day. The idea of rooting for the well-intentioned, sometimes bumbling, but always likeable criminal was a seldom seen theme prior to this movie.

Answer: Textiles

A shy and bumbling chemist (Alec Guinness) discovers a polymer that makes any fabric unstainable and indestructible, causing great panic at all levels of the British textile industry. The necessity and absurdity of planned obsolescence are cleverly examined in comedy gem. Ranked as the 58th greatest British film of all time by The British Film Institute, "The Man in the White Suit" surprisingly appears on the Guardian's list of greatest British sci-fi movies as well.

This was to be Guinness' last Ealing film, having starred in three over a two year period.

Answer: Stanley Holloway

Appearing in over 60 films and 30 major stage productions, Stanley Holloway was one of the most versatile comedic actors in British history. Song, dance, pantomime, and comedic monologues were all part of his entertainment arsenal. Born in London in 1890, Holloway rose to fame as a member of the comedic variety troupe known as the Co-Optimists.

After appearing in several propaganda shorts during World War II, Holloway acted in over 40 films between 1945 and 1975 in both starring roles and supporting roles.

Answer: A locomotive

"The Titfield Thunderbolt" is another example of the successful Ealing comedic formula that pits a small band of citizens against the absurdities of British bureaucracy. After having their branch line of railroad shut down by the powers that be, the residents of Titfield come together to form and operate their own rail company.

In doing so, they run afoul of unscrupulous bus company operators wishing to monopolize Titfield's transportation options.

Answer: The Ladykillers

"The Ladykillers" (1955) tells the darkly comic story of a group of hardened thieves setting up shop in a rooming house in order to plan an armored truck robbery. Their meticulous plans are upset by the archetypical sweet little old lady in the form of their landlady, Mrs. Louisa Wilberforce. Played by the 76-year old Katie Johnson, the somewhat naive, but highly imaginative landlady is a perfect foil to the cerebral and sinister Professor Marcus (Alec Guinness) and his gang of would be robbers. Remade in 2004 by Joel and Ethan Coen, the film starred Tom Hanks and is regarded by most critics as the low point in the Coen brother's brilliant career.

Answer: She had eloped with an Italian opera singer.

Although his mother was disowned for following her heart, the murderous Louis D'Ascoyne Mazzini is still ninth in line for succession to the title of Duke of Chalfont. His family's shabby treatment of his mother eventually leads to her death, prompting young Louis to seek vengeance by eliminating all who stand between him and the dukedom.

Answer: A television set

Although television sets could be found in a few wealthy homes prior to World War II, their popularity soared dramatically as the cost of ownership fell steeply in the post-war period. In "Meet Mr. Lucifer" a television set obtained as a retirement present becomes the source of discord for its owner. Realizing this, the television is given away to a young couple who soon discover that they too are negatively affected by the contraption.