The Great Game is a 1953 British sports comedy-drama directed by Maurice Elvey and starring James Hayter, Thora Hird and Diana Dors. It was based on a play by Basil Thomas. Many of the scenes were shot at Griffin Park the home of Brentford F.C. Several professional football players made appearances in the film including Tommy Lawton.
Plot
The chairman of a relegation zone English football club makes an illegal approach to a rising star of a rival club. This is discovered by the football authorities and the Chairman is ultimately suspended from the game following the ensuing scandal.
Cast
James Hayter – Joe Lawson
Thora Hird – Miss Rawlings
Diana Dors – Lulu Smith
John Laurie – 'Mac' Wells
Meredith Edwards – Skid Evans
Jack Lambert – Ralph Blake
Glyn Houston – Ned Rutter
Geoffrey Toone – Jack Bannerman
Alexander Gauge – Ben Woodhall
Frank Pettingell – Sir Julius
Tommy Lawton – Cameo
Sheila Shand-Gibbs – Mavis Pink
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.
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
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.
Critical reception
Picture Show called it an "unpretentious but most enjoyable comedy."
The Monthly Film Bulletin said "the humour is stale".
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."
