The Great Game (1953 film)

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."