The Great Game (1953 film)

Plot

Joe Lawson is the chairman of a relegation zone English football club and he makes makes an illegal approach to a rising star of a rival club. The manager of the rival club makes an accusation which is picked up by the press. When Lawson is questioned by his board and his account of events is doubted, he impulsively offers his resignation, but is shocked when it is accepted and he is quickly replaced. He decides he will turn his attentions to cricket instead.

Cast

• James Hayter as Joe Lawson
• Thora Hird as Miss Rawlings
• Diana Dors as Lulu Smith
• John Laurie as 'Mac' Wells
• Meredith Edwards as Skid Evans
• Jack Lambert as Ralph Blake
• Sheila Shand-Gibbs as Mavis Pink
• Glyn Houston as Ned Rutter
• Geoffrey Toone as Jack Bannerman
• Alexander Gauge as Ben Woodhall
• Frank Pettingell as Sir Julius
• Tommy Lawton as himself (cameo)

Original play

The film was based on a play "Shooting Star" by Basil Thomas which premiered in 1949. 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.

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: 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 wrote: "This film falls between two stools. Those patrons who think they will see a fine display of football will be disappointed – there are only about three minutes of play in the whole film – while others expecting a sincere attempt to investigate the evils of transfer procedure will be bored by the film's stupidity. The humour is stale, and the only convincing acting comes from James Hayter and Thora Hird."

Kine Weekly wrote: "Straight-shooting soccer comedy drama, artfully approached from the woman's angle. It gets right behind the scenes of the nation's most popular game and exposes the evils of the transfer system through its leading characters, faultlessly portrayed, yet displays a keen sense of humour. Atmosphere is authentic, but director Maurice Elvey never gets offside by putting ball-play before human interest."

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."

1949 TV adaptation

The play was filmed for TV in 1949.

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

References

References

1. "The Great Game".
2. Hal Erickson. "The Great Game (1953) – Maurice Elvey – Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related". AllMovie.
3. malcolmgsw. (1 January 1953). "The Great Game (1953)". IMDb.
4. "The Great Game (1952)". BFI.
5. [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/9bc9d632-9e63-450b-b8a2-b87b81362539 shooting Star] at National Archives
6. Thomas, Basil. "On Why I Wrote 'Shooting Star'; in Program for 'Shooting Star' from 1949".
7. (11 June 1949). "A Sports Letter From London". [[The Newcastle Sun]].
8. Vagg, Stephen. (September 7, 2020). "A Tale of Two Blondes: Diana Dors and Belinda Lee".
9. (1 January 1953). "The Great Game".
10. (22 January 1953). "The Great Game".
11. "Miss Tulip Stays the Night / The Great Game". Film @ The Digital Fix.
12. [http://bufvc.ac.uk/screenplays/index.php/prog/1654 Shooting Star] at British Universities