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.

Ambrose Claverhouse is the archetypal Kenneth More part.He's like Jeremy Clarkson without the malice.A 30 - something fairly innocent little boy obsessed with sex and motor - cars in no particular order.Some people have taken exception to the fact that he and his pals are quite posh,well,yes he's middle class,but his twin obsessions are shared by many working class blokes.Perhaps it's all right for Darren from Dagenham to be a petrolhead ladies man but not Charles from Chelsea - but that's the Brits for you ,most of us are snobs of one kind or the other. Driving back from Brighton last weekend I got caught up in the last stages of the Veteran Car Club Rally near the "Black Lion" at Patcham and in a Proustian moment the sweet,silly and ultimately rather sad memories of "Genevieve" swept over me so completely I had to pull up at the side of the road. It is a completely frivolous movie that nobody thought for a moment was going to be any more than a colourful bit of froth to brighten the lives of England's austerity - blighted movielovers. But somehow the basic good nature and decentness of Messrs More and Gregson,the determination and spirit of Mesdames Sheridan and Kendal combined to create an alchemy that spelled gold at the 1955 Box Office and created a legend that has lasted over half a century. Perhaps not appealing to 21st century eyes for it's unfailing cheeriness and good humour,there is not an ounce of meanness or cynicism in it. Clearly such innocence cannot be allowed to have ever existed. Well,I'm here to tell you it did. In real life the VCC Rally is one way,London to Brighton.For the movie Mr More and Mr Gregson turned the return journey into a race with,ultimately,"Genevieve" herself as the prize.In one of the great scenes in British cinema Mr Gregson within sight of the finishing line in "Genevieve" is hailed by an elderly gentleman who proceeds to tell him how he courted his wife fifty years earlier in just such a car. Mr Arthur Wontner only has a few lines but his old - time charm and courtesy are absolutely captivating.Mr Gregson listens patiently to his reminiscences as Mr More goes driving gaily past apparently to win the race but in fact he gets stuck in the tramlines and is whisked away at the last second,the prize slipping from his unbelieving hands. Certainly the world has changed since this picture was made.I'll leave it to you to decide whether it is for the better or not.

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.

Fifties Britain and time for the Veteran Car Club's annual run from London to Brighton and back. We meet Alan, a man who spends most of his free time tinkering with "Genevieve", his 1904 antique car - and his wife Wendy, she is completely bored by the annual run but goes nevertheless, this year spurred on by a fancy new hat. Their friend is a man named Ambrose who brings along a "model" and her huge dog for this year's trip. The two men then spend most of the time in a rivalry over getting to Brighton first, jeering at each other over car breakdowns and the like, while the two women are pretty much being dragged along for the ride. Then they actually get into a road race against each other on the return trip to London, backed by a 100 pound bet to see who gets back first!This film is a fun romp, fast-paced, with well done performances by all. It includes lots to satisfy the Anglophile in me, like cute British expressions such as "good luck, Old Spot", "beastly", and "jolly good", plus interesting on-location photography in London, Brighton, and the English countryside. There are some quite amusing scenes when the couple ends up in this hotel in Brighton, with an odd set of rules regarding the hot water and the like, plus a really horrible room! My only complaint is the constant car mishaps seen in this left me feeling slightly more frustrated than amused. Still, this is a very enjoyable, well-done movie, filmed in bright, beautiful Technicolor, and featuring an excellent harmonica music score that gives the film a nostalgic charm all it's own. Well done!