In this British crime thriller directed by Bob McNaught, adapted from the play by Dorothy and Campbell Christie, a British racehorse owner (Nigel Patrick) manages to win the Grand National with his horse. Filmed at the old Nettlefold Studios and starring oily Nigel Patrick as a racing horse trainer, this keeps its momentum up in that traditional cap-doffing British way. In 1953 it was made into a British film of the same title starring Nigel Patrick, Moira Lister and Beatrice Campbell. It is also rather confusing in the fact that the train that comes to a halt is a Southern Region 4 SUB EMU, yet Nigel Patrick then jumps down to track level from a GWR coach! A solid thriller, directed by George Minter, in which we watch the authorities try to catch the killer, knowing "whodunnit".

The crime element of the story isn't particularly gripping, but the acting, rural setting and old-fashioned drawing room atmosphere add up to an enjoyable film - more of a melodrama with a mystery element than a thriller. A racehorse owner (Nigel Patrick) who accidentally killed his wife (Moira Lister) matches wits with a detective. Other members of the supporting cast include Noel Purcell as the vet, Betty Ann Davis as 'Pinkie' (a posh version of Dora Bryan) and Colin Gordon as Patrick's scrounging friend, 'Buns'.After race horse trainer Gerald Coates' horse wins the Grand National, his wife come home drunk, and the two of them have a violent argument, and she is accidentally killed. Nigel Patrick is assured and convincing in the central role of a gentlemen horse trainer who becomes involved in a game of cat-and-mouse with a Scotland Yard inspector who suspects him of murder. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Nigel and his staff and friends are sad at the tragedy, which was caused by his thoughtless wife's cruel behaviour.

The horse gives birth to a foal on a tempestuous, stormy Grand National day, just when one of Gerald's other horses wins - for the first time ever. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Cookie preferences, as described in the Cookie notice. It is not known where exactly this scene was filmed, and it seems rather out of sync with the rest of the film, which is set in Liverpool. Coates insists that she didn't come home after the big race, but the police begin to suspect him, after a train ticket is found in his coat. I hope the foregoing will give you sufficient, but not too much, information to form your own opinion.

It premiered at the New Theatre, Oxford before transferring to the Apollo Theatre in London's West End where it ran for 268 performances between 12 June 1946 and 1 February 1947. noel purcell and beatrice campbell do some sterling support and colin gordon is the wonderfully name buns darling. By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. Grand National Night is a 1953 British thriller film brought to the screen by George Minter, produced by Phil C.

Nigel Patrick gives a good performance in his role as Gerald Coates, the owner who is thrilled about winning the greatest steeplechase in the world, but then does something he really shouldn’t have. Racehorse trainer Gerald Coates argues with his alcoholic wife Babs on the evening after his horse has won the Grand National. Previous to this film version Grand National Night had been presented as a BBC Radio serial as well as the original stage play, which was produced in 1945 and 1946.Lister features but sparingly, but her characterisation of "Babs" does rather get under your fingernails, so as the police work proceeded I did start to feel just a bit of sympathy for her rather idiotic, but good natured, husband - and Patrick is on decent form in that role here.