Genevieve (film)
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| Genevieve | |
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 Genevieve DVD cover |
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| Directed by | Henry Cornelius |
| Produced by | Henry Cornelius |
| Written by | William Rose |
| Starring | Dinah Sheridan John Gregson Kay Kendall Kenneth More |
| Music by | Larry Adler |
| Running time | 86 min. |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
Genevieve (1953) is a British film directed by Henry Cornelius. The film was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Original Screenplay (William Rose) and Best Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture, composed and played by Larry Adler with dance numbers by Eric Rodgers.
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[edit] Plot
The story revolves around two veteran cars and their crews 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 Rosalind Peters (Kay Kendall), a fashion model, 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. Unable to get accommodation in their usual plush hotel, 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 in the band - which she does, 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 by the police, 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 to neck - through the southern suburbs of London. But with only a few yards to go, Genevieve finally breaks down. As Ambrose's car is about to overtake, its tyres become stuck in tramlines and it drives off in another direction.
The brakes on Genevieve finally fail and the car rolls the few yards onto Westminster bridge - thus winning the bet.
[edit] Cast
- Alan McKim - John Gregson
- Wendy McKim - Dinah Sheridan
- Ambrose Claverhouse - Kenneth More
- Rosalind Peters - Kay Kendall
- Hotel Manageress - Joyce Grenfell
- First traffic policeman - Geoffrey Keen
- Second traffic policeman - Harold Siddons
- Elderly Gentleman - Arthur Wontner
- Guest at Hotel - (uncredited) Edie Martin
[edit] Trivia
- John Gregson had to learn to drive especially for this film.
- Although Genevieve is an authentic period vehicle, Ambrose's Spyker is actually a replica.
- The vehicle that "played" Genevieve in the film still takes part in the London-Brighton Run every year.
- The correct spelling of this French name that the vehicle is called is Geneviève.
