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The Great Game (1953 film)
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Wikipedia article
'The Great Game' is a 1953 British sports comedy-drama directed by Maurice Elvey and starring James Hayter, Thora Hird and Diana Dors. It was based on a play by Basil Thomas. Many of the scenes were shot at Griffin Park the home of Brentford F.C. Several professional football players made appearances in the film including Tommy Lawton.
Plot
The chairman of a relegation zone English football club makes an illegal approach to a rising star of a rival club. This is discovered by the football authorities and the Chairman is ultimately suspended from the game following the ensuing scandal.
Cast
* James Hayter – Joe Lawson
* Thora Hird – Miss Rawlings
* Diana Dors – Lulu Smith
* John Laurie – 'Mac' Wells
* Meredith Edwards – Skid Evans
* Jack Lambert – Ralph Blake
* Glyn Houston – Ned Rutter
* Geoffrey Toone – Jack Bannerman
* Alexander Gauge – Ben Woodhall
* Frank Pettingell – Sir Julius
* Tommy Lawton – Cameo
* Sheila Shand-Gibbs – Mavis Pink
Original play
The film was based on a play "Shooting Star" by Basil Thomas which premiered in 1949.[http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/9bc9d632-9e63-450b-b8a2-b87b81362539 shooting Star] at National Archives Thomas was a football fan who decided to write a play about the transfer system. He says managers and directors were keen to co operate. Among the people Thomas interviewed were Ted Vizard, Stan Cullis and Claude Jephcott.
1949 TV adaptation
The play was filmed for TV in 1949.[http://bufvc.ac.uk/screenplays/index.php/prog/1654 Shooting Star] at British Universities
Cast
*Derek Blomfield as Ned Rutter* Colin Douglas as Jack Bannerman
*Charmian Eyre as Mavis Pink
* Raymond Francis as Mr Blake
* Heather Gratrix as Lulu Smith
* James Hayter as Joe Lawson
* Avice Landone as Miss Rawlings
* Cameron Miller as Wells
* Robert Perceval aS Ben Woodhall
* Frank Pettitt as Skid Evans
* Ann Titheradge as Beryl Armstrong
Production
Film rights were bought by Adelphi who made a number of low budget comedies. They also made 'Is Your Honeymoon Really Necessary?' with Dors.David Dent obituary
Dent, Jonathan. The Guardian (Online), London (UK): Guardian News & Media Limited. May 6, 2020.
Critical reception
'Picture Show' called it an "unpretentious but most enjoyable comedy."THE GREAT GAME (directed by Maurice Elvey). Adelphi
Hughes, Maud. Picture Show; London Vol. 60, Iss. 1571, (May 9, 1953): 2.
The 'Monthly Film Bulletin' said "the humour is stale".GREAT GAME, The
Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 20, Iss. 228, (Jan 1, 1953): 36.
'The Digital Fix' found the film "largely insignificant and admittedly musters up little interest, but then it is offset with a gentle humour and plenty of broad comedy characterisation from its supporting cast; nobody could ogle Dors sexpot secretary quite like John Laurie does in the opening scene."
References
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