The Great Game *** (1953, James Hayter, Diana Dors, Thora Hird) – Classic Movie Review 11,119

Director Maurice Elvey’s 1953 British sports comedy-drama black and white film The Great Game stars James Hayter, Diana Dors, Thora Hird, John Laurie and Glyn Houston.

The Great Game is a lively British comedy about a wealthy, greedy football club chairman (Hayter) deciding he needs to run the struggling, relegation zone English First Division Football Club of Burnville United as a speculative business, leading him to make an illegal arrangement to bring in a new star striker player (Houston) from another club.

Hayter gives a standout turn in this very enjoyable comedy, even for non-soccer fans, though vintage fans will appreciate the appearance of several professional football players, including famous Tommy Lawton and the background of Brentford Football Club. Many of the scenes were shot at Griffin Park the home of Brentford FC. Plus the iconic Diana Dors also stars as mercenary Lulu Smith, and Thora Hird has a decent role as manager of the shop.

Also in the cast are Sheila Shand Gibbs, John Laurie, Geoffrey Toone, Jack Lambert, Meredith Edwards, Alexander Gauge, Frank Pettingell, Roddy Hughes, Sidney Vivian, Charles Leno, and Glenn Melvyn.

The screenplay by Wolfgang Wilhelm is based on the 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. Back in day the players were amateur, so while Houston’s club contract is worth £20,000, he takes home £14 a week working in Hayter’s printing business, rich from making money from the contract for programmes.

The main cast are 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, Glyn Houston as Ned Rutter, Geoffrey Toone as Jack Bannerman, Alexander Gauge as Ben Woodhall, Frank Pettingell as Sir Julius and Sheila Shand Gibbs as Mavis Pink.

The Great Game is directed by Maurice Elvey, runs 80 minutes, is made by Advance, is released by Adelphi Films, is written by Wolfgang Wilhelm, is shot in black and white by Phil Grindrod, is produced by David Dent and scored by W L Trytel.

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 11,119

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