Genevieve (1953)

Two British couples pit their vintage automobiles against each other in an exciting cross-country race.

Director:

Henry Cornelius

Writer:

William Rose (story and screenplay)

Stars:

Dinah Sheridan, John Gregson, Kay Kendall

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Dinah Sheridan	...	Wendy McKim
John Gregson	...	Alan McKim
Kay Kendall	...	Rosalind Peters
Kenneth More	...	Ambrose Claverhouse
Geoffrey Keen	...	Policeman
Reginald Beckwith	...	J.C. Callahan
Arthur Wontner	...	Old Gentleman
Joyce Grenfell	...	Hotel Proprietress
Leslie Mitchell	...	Self - Newsreel Commentator

Storyline

It's time for the annual London to Brighton antique car rally, and Alan McKim and Ambrose Claverhouse are not going to let their friendship stop them from trying to humiliate each other. Along the way, some old jealousies are kindled to the point where the two men decide to have a "friendly" wager on who will be the first back to London. Once the competitive juices get all fired up, however, it quickly becomes a nasty, hotly-contested affair. Ambrose's companion must suffer through her "maiden voyage" on the rally, while Mrs. McKim, on the other hand, is a long-time sufferer of her husband's obsession.

---

Plot Keywords:

car racing | rally | car | brighton | road movie | 

---

Taglines:

It ought to be illegal to let "Genevieve" on the streets!

---

Genres:

Comedy

---

Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Larry Adler's name was removed on prints released in the US due to his blacklisting following the House Un-American Activities Committee's hearings into supposed Communist infiltration in Hollywood. When the film was nominated for a Best Score Oscar, musical director Muir Mathieson received the nomination credit. This was eventually corrected by AMPAS.

---

Goofs

A close-up of Alan and Wendy near the end of the film reverses the shot. There is no apparent reason for this.

---

Quotes

Rosalind Peters: Ambrose only seems to think about two things. That silly old car - and the other thing.
Wendy McKim: What other thing? Oh. My husband only thinks about the car.

---

Crazy Credits

At the end of the opening credits: For their patient co-operation the makers of this film express their thanks to The Officers and Members of the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain. Any resemblance between the deportment of our characters and any club members is emphatically denied - - - by the club.

---

Connections

Referenced in Century of Cinema: A Personal History of British Cinema by Stephen Frears (1995)

User Reviews

I wish this was available on DVD in the USA

I really liked this film when I saw it on Public Television many years back. The acting was fine and the Larry Adler harmonica accompaniment made the movie that much more splendid. It was deserving of it's Oscar nomination back in 1953. It stays in my head to this day and I haven't seen the movie in some time. Kenneth More, is fun to watch as his character competes with John Gregson in an antique car race. Genevieve, by the way, is Gregson's beloved car competing in the race. Arthur Wontner was also in the picture. I've only seen him donning the famous deerstalker hat of Sherlock Holmes before this, in several movies made in the 1930's. I hope sometime soon, this film will be made available on DVD here in the United States.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 February 1954 (USA)

Also Known As:

Genevieve

Filming Locations:

D&P Studios, Denham Studios, Denham, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

GBP135,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sirius Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Colour by) (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1