Alexander Mackendrick was born in Boston, Mass, of Scottish parents;
brought up in Glasgow. In advertising, and briefly films, in the 1930's
(writer on Midnight Menace, 1937). Wartime cartoon scripts, then documentary
work in Rome. 1946: to Ealing,
initially as sketch artist, then writer and director and made an immediate
hit with his debut film, the sparkling satire Whiskey
Galore! (1949). His major films of the '50s include his memorable
Alec Guinness comedies The
Man in the White Suit (1951) and The
Ladykillers (1955). Left Ealing to make Sweet Smell of Success in
New York (1956).
