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Genevieve
Genevieve DVD cover
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 is a 1953 British film directed by Henry Cornelius. It has a musical score composed and performed by Larry Adler with dance numbers by Eric Rodgers.

Contents 1 Plot 2 Cast 3 The cars 4 Mistakes 5 Awards 6 References 7 External links

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 and 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.

• 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

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^[1]. 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^[2].

It is implausible that in reality the car would roll the few yards onto Westminster Bridge since Westminster Bridge actually slopes down towards the South Bank.

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.

1. ^ Genevieve's History. Retrieved on 2007-02-13.
2. ^ Genevieve Rally July 2002. Retrieved on 2007-02-13.

• Genevieve Web Site
• Genevieve at the Internet Movie Database
• John Gregson Site

Preceded by The Sound Barrier

BAFTA Award for Best British Film 1954

Succeeded by Hobson's Choice