IMDb RATING
7.0/10
3.6K
YOUR RATING
Two British couples pit their vintage automobiles against each other in an exciting cross-country race.Two British couples pit their vintage automobiles against each other in an exciting cross-country race.Two British couples pit their vintage automobiles against each other in an exciting cross-country race.
- Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 3 wins & 4 nominations total
Michael Balfour
- Trumpeter
- (uncredited)
Ernest Blyth
- Nightclub Patron
- (uncredited)
Daniel Brown
- Onlooker
- (uncredited)
Joey Carr
- Mechanic Joey
- (uncredited)
Julia Cornelius
- Girl With Ice Cream
- (uncredited)
Lesley Dudley
- Little Girl
- (uncredited)
Richard Duke
- Nightclub Patron
- (uncredited)
Stanley Escane
- Film Cameraman
- (uncredited)
Fred Griffiths
- Ice Cream Seller
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Genevieve may be a little too short, but for me it is one of the best British films of the 50s. It is just a charming, delightful and re-watchable little film. The film looks beautiful, the photography is lovely and the scenery and colours are just as pleasing to the eye. The script has its fair share of funny, poignant and charming spots, the direction is spot on and the story is always engaging with the misfortunes and calamities never less than entertaining. The soundtrack by the harmonica maestro Larry Sadler is unforgettable, and the film is blessed with wonderful performances. I loved John Gregson, Kenneth More and Dinah Sheridan, but it was Kay Kendall who was the real joy. All in all, just a delight from start to finish. 9/10 Bethany Cox
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!
Did you know
- TriviaThe trumpet playing of Kay Kendall was actually done by Kenny Baker, who was Britain's top trumpet player at the time.
- GoofsAs Kenneth More approaches the bridge his car wheels get stuck in tram lines forcing him to turn right instead of left but the next shot shows the car out of the tracks.
- Quotes
Wendy McKim: This is the end! Making a public spectacle of yourselves. I couldn't have believed you could have behaved like this, either of you. Just hawling like brooligans.
Ambrose Claverhouse: Hawling like brooligans?
- Crazy creditsAt 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.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Joyce Grenfell 1910-1979 (1980)
- How long is Genevieve?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- £135,000 (estimated)
- Runtime
- 1h 26m(86 min)
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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