Ironside's attitude is sharply contrasted by the Greenleaf brewery, which maintains a casual, friendly relationship with employees and has been run by the family for almost 150 years.

Unbeknown to them, Matt also harbours feelings for Margaret and asks her father, Tom, if he can use the upcoming 150th anniversary celebrations to propose to her.

John devises a plan to beat Ironsides by tainting their beer with a specially-brewed mixture which makes drinkers cry uncontrollably.

When Tom hears of the plot, he refuses to sign the agreements as he does not approve of John's underhand methods and feels he can't take advantage of Ironside's misfortune.

Tom finally agrees when John and Margaret tell him of their wedding, resulting in the happy union of Greenleaf and Ironside.

The film was made by Ealing Studios, almost a year after Michael Balcon had taken over from Basil Dean as head of production.

Filming began in late March 1939, after director Walter Forde spent a week travelling hundreds of miles visiting breweries throughout England, conducting research and scouting locations.

In contrast, Greenleaf is a clear allegory for pre-war Great Britain, with pastoral imagery conjured by the brewery's location and name and a democratic attitude to managing workers.

[5][6] Kine Weekly said: "Any absence of piquancy and originality in theme is ... offset by exuberant team-work and generous production values.