Grand National Night

Grand National Night is a 1953 British thriller film brought to the screen by George Minter, produced by Phil C. Samuel, and based on a play of the same title written by Campbell and Dorothy Christie. It was directed by Bob McNaught and starred Nigel Patrick, Moira Lister and Beatrice Campbell (Patrick's wife) with support from Michael Hordern, Noel Purcell and a cameo role from Colin Gordon.

The film was shot at Walton Studios near London. The film's sets were designed by the art director Frederick Pusey. Cinematography was by Jack Asher.

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. The cast of the original play was headed by Leslie Banks as Gerald Coates.

Plot
Racehorse trainer Gerald Coates argues with his alcoholic wife Babs on the evening after his horse has won the Grand National. She attacks him with a knife and there is a struggle. Coates's butler hears the car leaving, and dead Babs is found in it the next day. The police investigate.

Cast

 * Nigel Patrick as Gerald Coates
 * Moira Lister as Babs Coates
 * Beatrice Campbell as Joyce Penrose
 * Betty Ann Davies as Pinkie Collins
 * Michael Hordern as Inspector Ayling
 * Noel Purcell as Philip Balfour
 * Leslie Mitchell as Jack Donovan
 * Barry MacKay as Sergeant Gibson
 * Colin Gordon as Buns Darling
 * Gibb McLaughlin as Morton
 * Richard Grayden as Chandler
 * May Hallatt as Hoskyns
 * George Sequira as George
 * Ernest Jay as railway official
 * Russell Waters as plainclothes detective
 * George Rose as plainclothes detective
 * Arthur Howard as Hotel Manager
 * Edward Evans as garage attendant

Reception
David Parkinson of Radio Times gave the film 3 stars out of 5. The Monthly Film Bulletin called it a "moderate thriller" and credited Bob McNaught's direction with giving it "a certain polish".