Genevieve Movie Review

Genevieve is the perfect movie to watch when you're in the world's worst mood; it will cheer you up in no time. John Gregson and Kenneth More are two antique car buffs obsessed with winning the annual Brighten-to-London run. Dinah Sheridan and Kay Kendall are along for the ride. That's all there is to it, but with that cast and the gifted Henry Cornelius at the helm, Genevieve is fondly remembered as the brightest British comedy of the year. Not too many people remember Kay Kendall today, but with her breakthrough film Genevieve, she emerged as the funniest comedienne to hit the silver screen since Carole Lombard. Kendall played a trumpet-playing model with a huge dog named Suzy who's stuck for the weekend with the canine-loathing More. All four leads were charming in the film, but the extremely droll Kendall was the real surprise. William Rose's screenplay and Larry Adler's harmonica score (both Oscar nominees) added to the infectious fun, and the well-chosen supporting cast included onetime Sherlock Holmes star Arthur Wontner (1875–1960) and the delightful Joyce Grenfell. Not to mention that splendid title character in three-strip Technicolor!

1953 86m/C GB John Gregson, Dinah Sheridan, Kenneth More, Kay Kendall, Geoffrey Keen, Reginald Beckwith, Arthur Wontner, Joyce Grenfell, Leslie Mitchell, Michael Medwin, Michael Balfour, Edie Martin, Harold Siddons; D: Henry Cornelius; W: William Rose; C: Christopher Challis; M: Larry Adler. British Academy Awards ‘53: Best Film; Golden Globe Awards ‘55: Best Foreign Film; Nominations: Academy Awards ‘54: Best Story & Screenplay, Best Original Score. VHS