Genevieve (1953)

Director:

Henry Cornelius

Writer:

William Rose (story)

Release Date:

15 February 1954 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

It ought to be illegal to let "Genevieve" on the streets!

Plot:

It's time for the annual London to Brighton antique car rally, and Alan McKim and Ambrose Claverhouse...

Plot Keywords:

Car | Automobile Racing | Character Name In Title

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Dinah Sheridan	...	Wendy McKim
John Gregson	...	Alan McKim
Kay Kendall	...	Rosalind Peters
Kenneth More	...	Ambrose Claverhouse
Geoffrey Keen	...	Policeman
Reginald Beckwith	...	J. C. Callahan
Arthur Wontner	...	Old Gentleman
Joyce Grenfell	...	Hotel proprietress
Leslie Mitchell	...	Himself - Newsreel Commentator
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Michael Balfour	...	Trumpeter (uncredited)
Joe E. Carr	...	Mechanic joey (uncredited)
Lesley Dudley	...	Little girl (uncredited)
Stanley Escane	...	Film cameraman (uncredited)
Fred Griffiths	...	Ice Cream Seller (uncredited)
Charles Lamb	...	Publican (uncredited)
Arthur Lovegrove	...	Hotel Doorman (uncredited)
Edward Malin	...	Spectator (uncredited)
Edie Martin	...	Guest (uncredited)
Michael Medwin	...	Father to be (uncredited)
Harold Siddons	...	Policeman (uncredited)
Christopher Warbey	...	Little boy (uncredited)
Patrick Westwood	...	Mechanic (uncredited)

Directed by
Henry Cornelius

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
William Rose		story and screenplay

Produced by
Earl St. John	....	executive producer
Henry Cornelius	....	producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Larry Adler

Cinematography by
Christopher Challis

Film Editing by
Clive Donner

Casting by
Weston Drury Jr.		(uncredited)

Art Direction by
Michael Stringer

Costume Design by
Marjory Cornelius

Makeup Department
Helen Penfold	....	hair stylist
Paul Rabiger	....	makeup artist

Production Management
George Pitcher	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
John Arnold	....	assistant director
Erica Masters	....	assistant director (uncredited)
David W. Orton	....	second assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department
Lionel Couch	....	chief draughtsman (uncredited)
Roy Dorman	....	draughtsman (uncredited)
Peter James	....	set dresser (uncredited)

Sound Department
Gordon K. McCallum	....	sound recordist
Harry Miller	....	dubbing editor
C.C. Stevens	....	sound recordist
Bill Daniels	....	sound assistant (uncredited)
Des Edwards	....	assistant sound (uncredited)
Archie Ludski	....	sound assistant (uncredited)
John W. Mitchell	....	sound recordist (uncredited)
Les Wiggins	....	assistant sound (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Ted Moore	....	camera operator
Ray Parslow	....	focus puller (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Irene Segalla	....	costume assistant

Editorial Department
Eric Boyd-Perkins	....	assistant editor (uncredited)

Music Department
Larry Adler	....	musician
Muir Mathieson	....	musical director
Eric Rogers	....	composer: dance numbers
Kenny Baker	....	musician: trumpet solo for Kay Kendall (uncredited)

Other crew
Arthur Alcott	....	production controller: Pinewood Studios
Yvonne Axeworthy	....	continuity (as Yvonne Axworthy)
Joan Bridge	....	technicolor colour consultant
T.S. Lyndon-Haynes	....	location manager (uncredited)

Production Companies

• J. Arthur Rank Organisation (presents) (as The J. Arthur Rank Organisation) (in association with)
• La Société des Films Sirius

Distributors

• General Film Distributors (GFD) (1953) (UK) (theatrical) (distributed by) (as General Film Distributors Limited)
• Universal Pictures (1954) (USA) (theatrical)

Other Companies

• D&P Studios  logo (as D & P Studios)
• Officers and Members of the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain, The  for their patient co-operation the makers of this film express their thanks to (as The Officers and Members of the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain)
• Universal International Pictures (UI)  us releasing agent

Runtime:

86 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

UK:U (original rating) | UK:U (video rating) | Australia:G | Finland:S | Sweden:Btl | USA:Approved (PCA #16715, General Audience)

Filming Locations:

Albert Embankment, Lambeth, London, England, UK

Company:

J. Arthur Rank Organisation

Trivia:

According to Dinah Sheridan interviewed in 'Sixty Voices' edited by Brian McFarlane and published by the BFI, in addition to Claire Bloom, Guy Middleton was wanted for the Kenneth More part and Dirk Bogarde for the John Gregson role. She added 'I can't remember who they wanted instead of Kay Kendall'.

Goofs:

Continuity: The amount and color of Ambrose's beer between shots in the scene before the final race changes when Rosalind is hung over. Also, Rosalind's hangover tablets disappear from the table in the same scene.

Quotes:

Ambrose Claverhouse: Well, frankly children, this is beyond me!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "BBC Proms: Prom 2: Music from Great British Films (#1.7)" (2007)

Charming comedy

A charming, bitter-sweet comedy about a couple of enthusiasts from a vintage car club on their annual London to Brighton rally. Their rivalry extends to the effervescent Dinah Sheridan who plays the long suffering wife of one of these car nuts. The movies gentle humor is under-cut with some pointed commentary on relationships and a few quite risque references. All in all very enjoyable. Kay Kendall puts in a star turn as Rosalind, the hard-drinking London model who goes along for the ride.