dougdoepke 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.

writers_reign I usually find that British films of this vintage don't stand up too well - indeed in some cases they fell down even on release - but this is an exception. It's not too difficult too imagine how fresh it must have seemed back in the early fifties to palates jaded by war and austerity and the social history alone is worth the price of admission, for example John Gregson's barrister who has just over one hundred pounds in the bank yet lives in a delightful mews flat. William Rose's screenplay manages to wring sufficient changes on the rapidly changing fortunes in the race to the line to keep us interested and there's a nice contrast between the English Rose of Dinah Sheridan and the sophistication of Kay Kendall. Kenny More turns in his patented bounder with charm and though John Gregson could only do wooden he is not too hard to take in this company. A pleasant diversion.

Spikeopath Alan & Wendy McKim, Ambrose Claverhouse & Rosalind Peters are two classic car enthusiast couples taking part in the annual London to Brighton car rally. For the return trip the gentlemen enter into a friendly wager to see who can reach Westminster Bridge first, but what started out as friendly rivalry turns into a very intense contest indeed.I think what stands out the most in Genevieve {Genevieve being the name of the McKim's car} is the wonderful screenplay from William Rose. Full of British sensibilities and sexual tension, Genevieve ranks as one of the best British films from the 50s. Both couples seem poles apart but the men are bound by a machismo sensibility, whilst the women are both astutely charming in loyalty with a bullish awareness of the situation. John Gregson, Dinah Sheridan, Kenneth More and Kay Kendall are all excellent in the lead roles, the colour booms out from the screen, and Larry Adler's harmonica backed score is a perfect musical delight.Charming, breezy, and a British comedy classic, Genevieve really is a spiffing film for any day of the week. 9/10

raynickson A scene in Brighton shows just how much more sophisticated the Americans were in those days A couple booking into an hotel and the lady complaining about the rules, specifically -Hot water only between 14:30 hrs and 18:00hrs. The receptionist remarks " No one's ever complained before !"elderly guest in the crowd asks " Are they American ? "Just a jolly good film to watch at any time of year.At the time of filming I actually lived half way between London and Brighton. Since then I have driven between the two cities many times, and it is just not the same anymore