Die feurige Isabella

I first saw the film 'Genevieve' around 1969 - 1970 at home in glorious Black and white on black and white TV. Since then it has always stood out in my mind as one of the more memorable and enjoyable films from the 50's and 60's so common on TV at that time.

It's gentle comedy and heartening scenes of the English countryside along with the outstanding and unforgettable harmonic tones of Larry Adler's uplifting score make for such a rich and pleasing cinematic experience.

I have probably now seen the film more than five times and more recently in full colour, which makes it even more pleasing to the eye and enables one to see not only the main star 'Genevieve' but all the other incidental passing vehicles of the late forties and early fifties in their full livery and colour. Many of these vehicles would today be collectors items in their own right.

It would not be putting it too strongly to say that the film 'Genenieve' is a toy vehicle appreciators and collectors delight, as well as an inspiration for restorers of full size veteran vehicles.

Alan Wainwright

Most people in the United Kingdom would probably know second leads Kenneth More and Kay Kendall today than they would John Gregson and Dinah Sheridan. But all four pitch in and make Genevieve as delightful and refreshing a comedy today as it was in 1953 when it came out.

The married Gregson and free spirit More are best of friends with a shared interest in antique cars. But every year that friendship goes under an extreme strain when there's an antique car rally and people with those old vehicles. Sheridan who is married to Gregson surrenders a bit unwillingly every year to the obsession that overtakes her husband.

If this film had been made in America, Jack Carson would have been perfect casting for More's role. He's an amiable blowhard with a different woman every few months and this month's flavor is Kay Kendall.

The rally is not a race it's just a bunch of folks who own these cars and drive them en masse from London to Brighton and back. But Gregson and More make it a race between themselves and there's a bet on as well. In America we would say racing for pink slips and in Gregson's case what's at stake is his beloved vehicle Genevieve.

The trip with both of them and what happens to these antique cars has loads of laughs in it. That's ratcheted up exponentially during the climax as both cars are just returning to London and shall we say showing their age.

Kay Kendall's best moment is at a nightclub where she's totally blotto and wants to play the trumpet. I'm sure it was dubbed, but sure enough a swinging version of the old ballad Genevieve is blown by Kendall. She's her usual marvelous self.

It's over 60 years since Genevieve came out. I wonder if that rally is still held and what is considered an antique now. This film certainly isn't.

I saw Genevieve when it first came out, at a theatre at the US Army Language School in Monterey, California. It is a lovely, gentle story, with lots of beautiful scenery and lots of fun. I wish today I could drive my Mazda Miata over the same route. The film is one of my very favorites, right up there next to African Queen (my #1) and Bridge on the River Kwai (#2).

The folks in UK and Europe are lucky. You can buy a tape or even a DVD of Genevieve. Amazon.com, how about it? Get some DVDs made for us here in the States!

What surprises me is the amount of adult humor in this British film that would never have been allowed in American features of the time. Consider the unmarrieds, Ambrose and Rosalind, going away for weekends, or Wendy's rather pressing engagement with a nature call, or the not-so-veiled allusions to sexual activity. None of these were allowed in Production Code America as policed by the Legion of Decency who could turn out boycotts on a dime, while Hollywood's studios quaked in fear. Congrats to the Brits for treating adults like adults, even if it was 60-years ago.

It is, of course, a delightful movie, with just enough grit to keep things from getting sappy. I loved seeing those picturesque country lanes I hope are still there. Happily, filming in color turned out to be a real plus. However, it occurred to me about halfway through that neither of the two guys, Ambrose or Alan, was particularly likable, rather unusual I would think for a commercial film. Alan, of course, does win wife Wendy's and our respect with his noble gesture toward the old man. But otherwise, the two guys appear defined by their rather small-minded obsession with outracing the other.

Nonetheless, the race is a lot of fun, as the two girls look on in bewilderment at the boys' madcap antics. Likely, the real stars, however, are the two wonderful vintage crates that belch fumes and leak fluid, but somehow sputter along. At the same time, that solo harmonica is perfect eccentric accompaniment. Hard to believe the filmmakers could take such a slender premise, small cast, and do it so well. But they do, so don't miss it.

A chirpy British comedy following the fortunes of two overly-competitive friends who enter vintage cars in the famous London to Brighton rally. John Gregson stars as the dour lawyer Alan who, baited by his larger than life friend (Kenneth More), accepts a bet on who will return to London first.

Dinah Sheridan and Fay Kendal provide glamorous and dependable support, with Kendal sparkling as an upper class fashion model with an unexpected capacity for trumpet playing and heavy drinking. Much of the film is typical race and chase stuff, but avoids the usual potholes of over-engineered stunts and tricks. The characters are far more interesting than that!

A brilliant harmonica soundtrack by Larry Adler keeps the tempo and spirits high and the full colour production provides a ready backdrop of 1950's town and country scenes. Escapist entertainment from a period when British cinema boomed.