Genevieve (film)

Infobox Film | name = Genevieve


caption = Genevieve DVD cover
director = Henry Cornelius
producer = Henry Cornelius
writer = William Rose
starring = Dinah Sheridan
John Gregson
Kay Kendall
Kenneth More
music = Larry Adler
cinematography = Christopher Challis
editing =
distributor = Rank Organisation
released =
runtime = 86 min.
country = UK
language = English
budget =
imdb_id = 0045808

"Genevieve" is a 1953 British film directed by Henry Cornelius and starring John Gregson, Dinah Sheridan, Kenneth More and Kay Kendall as two couples in a car race. The musical score was composed and performed by Larry Adler with dance numbers by Eric Rodgers.

Plot

The story revolves around two veteran cars and their crews competing on the annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. Alan McKim (John Gregson), a young barrister and his wife Wendy (Dinah Sheridan), drive "Genevieve", a 1904 Darracq. Their friend Ambrose Claverhouse (Kenneth More), a brash advertising salesman, and his latest girlfriend, fashion model Rosalind Peters (Kay Kendall), drive a 1904 Spyker.

The journey to Brighton goes well for Claverhouse, but the McKims' trip is complicated by several breakdowns, and they arrive very late. As Alan cancelled their accommodation in their usual plush hotel during a fit of pique, they are forced to spend the night in a dingy run-down hotel, leaving Wendy feeling less than pleased.

They finally join Ambrose and Rosalind for after-dinner drinks, but Rosalind gets very drunk, and insists on playing the trumpet with the house band - which she does rather surprisingly well, giving a spirited rendition of the song "Genevieve", before falling fast asleep.

Alan and Wendy have an argument over Ambrose's supposed romantic attentions to her, and Alan goes off to the garage to sulk. Whilst working on his car in the middle of the night, Ambrose turns up. Angry words are exchanged and Alan impulsively bets Ambrose one hundred pounds that he can beat Ambrose back to London - despite racing not being allowed by the club. Ambrose accepts the bet - "First over Westminster Bridge".

The following morning, despite Rosalind's massive hangover and Wendy's determined disapproval of the whole business, the two crews race back to London. Each driver is determined that their car is the better, come what may, and they both resort to various forms of cheating. Ambrose sabotages Alan's engine, Alan causes Ambrose to be stopped by police.

Finally, on the outskirts of London, both cars are stopped by traffic police and the four contestants are publicly warned after Alan and Ambrose come to blows. At Wendy's insistence, they decide to call off the bet and have a party instead. But whilst waiting for the pub to open, words are exchanged and the bet is on again.

The two cars race - neck and neck - through the southern suburbs of London. But with only a few yards to go, Genevieve breaks down. As Ambrose's car is about to overtake it, its tyres become stuck in tramlines and it drives off in another direction. The brakes on Genevieve fail and the car rolls a few yards onto Westminster Bridge - thus winning the bet.

Cast

*John Gregson as Alan McKim
*Dinah Sheridan as Wendy McKim
*Kenneth More as Ambrose Claverhouse
*Kay Kendall as Rosalind Peters
*Joyce Grenfell as Hotel Manageress
*Geoffrey Keen as First traffic policeman
*Harold Siddons as Second traffic policeman
*Arthur Wontner as Elderly Gentleman
*Edie Martin as Guest at Hotel (uncredited)

The cars

The script originally called for the rivals to be driving British cars, Alan McKim a Wolseley or Humber and Ambrose Claverhouse a Lanchester. No car collectors were willing to lend such cars for filming. Eventually Norman Reeves loaned his Darracq and Frank Reese loaned his Spyker [cite web | url=http://www.donbrockway.com/Genevieve's%20History.htm | title=Genevieve's History | accessdate=2007-02-13] . The Darracq was originally named "Annie" and was permanently renamed "Genevieve" after the success of the film. Genevieve returned from a 34 year visit to Australia in 1992, and takes part in the London-Brighton Run every year. In July 2002, Genevieve and another Spyker participated in a 50th anniversary rally touring the filming locations [cite web | url=http://www.donbrockway.com/Genevieve%20Rally%202002.htm | title=Genevieve Rally July 2002 | accessdate=2007-02-13] .

Awards

The film won the BAFTA Award for Best British Film.

The film was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Original Screenplay (William Rose) and Best Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture.

References

External links

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci95dILGo_o Theme tune performance]
* [http://www.donbrockway.com/genevieve.htm Genevieve Web Site]
*

###@@@KEY@@@###succession box
before = "The Sound Barrier"
after = "Hobson's Choice"
title = BAFTA Award for Best British Film
years = 1954|