Die feurige Isabella

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.

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!

Everytime I see this film, (I'm 57 now), I smile at the scene where one of the old crocks breaks down in the country on its way to Brighton.I cannot remember whether it was Ambrose' or Alan's vintage car, the point is the location, (in 1953), is near where I used to live, to be precise Batchworth Heath, Northwood , Middlesex on the Rickmansworth Road, opposite the Greene Man pub, White Hill and near Mount Vernon Hospital (where I have had two ops over the years).In the background you can see the arch leading to Moor Park golf club.This gentle English comedy has become a classic since that day and Kay Kendall, (who died of leukemia), is vivid and memorable not to say surprising especially when she lets loose on the trumpet!

Beyond the marvelous cars, the jokes and banter between the couples and the quirky soundtrack, it's the moment of genuine and somewhat surprising kindness of the lead actor in the story which really sets this gentle comedy apart. Without Allan's reaction to the old gentleman who admires his car, the movie would otherwise be a one note comedy with jokes and rather nice scenery. The poignancy of the gesture however, allows Allan to quietly and magnificently overcome his obsessiveness, which though amusing at times is also wearing. This, along with the beauty of the English countryside, a component as important as the characters themselves, makes this movie an absolute charmer. The final shot replete with damp mist and fog added the ultimate British ambiance to its delightful conclusion.

"Genevieve" is a very unique film, with a rare quality that I have found in only a few films and books - there's something about it that is very appealing, and yet impossible to define. It is similar to the Ealing comedies, which isn't surprising, as Henry Cornelius directed "Passport to Pimlico" at the Ealing studios before leaving to become an independent filmmaker. I like it better than the Ealing films, though. It's so gentle and enjoyable - the ideal film to watch when home in bed with a cold!

I can't imagine anyone not liking this one. I smile whenever I think of it. It's a gem.

Enjoy!