Lady Godiva Rides Again: Difference between revisions
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| editing = [[Thelma Connell]] |
| editing = [[Thelma Connell]] |
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| studio = [[British Lion Films]] |
| studio = [[British Lion Films]] |
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| distributor = [[Rank Organisation]] |
| distributor = [[Rank Organisation]] (UK)<br>Carroll Pictures (USA) |
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| released = 25 October 1951 |
| released = 25 October 1951 |
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| runtime = 90 minutes |
| runtime = 90 minutes |
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The film was released in the United States under its original title in 1953 by Carroll Pictures, then was re-released in the United States as '''Bikini Baby''', to capitalize on the fame of supporting player [[Diana Dors]], who was given star billing with the new title. |
The film was released in the United States under its original title in 1953 by Carroll Pictures, then was re-released in the United States as '''Bikini Baby''', to capitalize on the fame of supporting player [[Diana Dors]], who was given star billing with the new title. |
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==Production== |
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The film is most notable for the presence of actresses who were later to become famous. [[Diana Dors]], who appears as a beauty queen, was later marketed as the film's star. It also features [[Joan Collins]] in her film debut as an uncredited beauty contestant. [[Ruth Ellis]], the last woman to be [[Capital punishment in the United Kingdom|executed in England]], also appears as an uncredited beauty queen. Ruth, who was four months pregnant at the time, had dyed her hair black and had styled it into a [[Bob cut|bob]]. |
The film is most notable for the presence of actresses who were later to become famous. [[Diana Dors]], who appears as a beauty queen, was later marketed as the film's star. It also features [[Joan Collins]] in her film debut as an uncredited beauty contestant. [[Ruth Ellis]], the last woman to be [[Capital punishment in the United Kingdom|executed in England]], also appears as an uncredited beauty queen. Ruth, who was four months pregnant at the time, had dyed her hair black and had styled it into a [[Bob cut|bob]]. |
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Other young starlets in the film included Diana Russell, [[Dana Wynter]] (billed as Dagmar Wynter), [[Anne Heywood]] (billed as Violet Pretty), Yvonne Brooks, [[Simone Silva]], [[Jean Marsh]] and Pat Marlowe. It also featured [[Sid James]] in one of his first film roles. [[Trevor Howard]] has an uncredited cameo as a cinema patron. |
Other young starlets in the film included Diana Russell, [[Dana Wynter]] (billed as Dagmar Wynter), [[Anne Heywood]] (billed as Violet Pretty), Yvonne Brooks, [[Simone Silva]], [[Jean Marsh]] and Pat Marlowe. It also featured [[Sid James]] in one of his first film roles. [[Trevor Howard]] has an uncredited cameo as a cinema patron. |
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| ⚫ | The film was inspired by the Miss Kent 1950 beauty competition held at [[Leas Cliff Hall]] in [[Kent]]. [[Frank Launder]], joint producer of the film with Leslie Gilliatt, was one of the judges in the competition. [[Audrey Hepburn]] tested for the title role but was judged too thin.<ref>{{cite book |last=Paris |first=Barry |title=Audrey Hepburn |publisher=Penguin |date=1 September 2001 |url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=1STPjX_1UmcC&pg=PT75 |isbn=978-0425182123}}</ref> |
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==Cast== |
==Cast== |
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*Pauline Stroud as Marjorie Clark |
*Pauline Stroud as Marjorie Clark |
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*Jimmy Young (Ballroom Singer) (Uncredited) |
*Jimmy Young (Ballroom Singer) (Uncredited) |
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== |
==Production== |
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| ⚫ | The film was inspired by the Miss Kent 1950 beauty competition held at [[Leas Cliff Hall]] in [[Kent]]. [[Frank Launder]], joint producer of the film with Leslie Gilliatt, was one of the judges in the competition. [[Audrey Hepburn]] tested for the title role but was judged too thin.<ref>{{cite book |last=Paris |first=Barry |title=Audrey Hepburn |publisher=Penguin |date=1 September 2001 |url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=1STPjX_1UmcC&pg=PT75 |isbn=978-0425182123}}</ref> |
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The film was originally called ''Beauty Queen''. |
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The filmmakers reportedly tested over 500 women to play the lead role including Joan Collins and Audrey Hepburn. The actor picked was Pauline Stroud.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article50108387 |title=No title |newspaper=[[The Courier-mail]] |issue=4491 |location=Queensland, Australia |date=20 April 1951 |accessdate=20 July 2020 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}} </ref> Her only previous film experience was as Vera-Ellen's stand-in in ''Happy Go Lovely'' (1951). Collins was given a bit part. |
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It was the first time John McCallum, who was Australian, played an Australian in a British film.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230067408 |title=McCallum will play Australian in movie |newspaper=[[The Sun]] |issue=12,867 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=26 April 1951 |accessdate=20 July 2020 |page=38 (LATE FINAL EXTRA) |via=National Library of Australia}} </ref> Kay Kendall was cast as Stroud's sister after Launder saw her in a BBC play; the film helped revive Kendall's career after ''London Town''.<ref>THE GIRL THEY ALL FORGOT: Meet Kay Kendall |
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Samson, Leonard. Answers; London Vol. 121, Iss. 3138, (Jun 21, 1952): 1-2. </ref><ref>GENEVIEVE'S' KAY KENDALL CLICKS |
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By MORGAN HUDGINS. New York Times 31 July 1955: X5. </ref> |
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Filming took place in June-July 1951. |
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The production filmed on location in [[Folkestone]], [[Kent]]. [[Leas Cliff Hall|The Leas Cliff Hall]] was used as the location for the beauty competition, and The Metropole was the setting for the seaside hotel hosting the Fascination Soap Pageant. Folkestone West station features in the film for the railway scenes where Marjorie Clark (Pauline Stroud) arrives and meets Dolores August (Diana Dors) and her consorts, Larry and Vic. The now closed Rotunda Amusement Park was also used for the scenes where Larry (John McCallum) and Marjorie visit and go on rides.<ref>{{cite web|author=Kent Film Office|url=http://kentfilmoffice.co.uk/1951/09/lady-godiva-rides-again-1951/|title=Kent Film Office Lady Godiva Rides Again Article}}</ref> |
The production filmed on location in [[Folkestone]], [[Kent]]. [[Leas Cliff Hall|The Leas Cliff Hall]] was used as the location for the beauty competition, and The Metropole was the setting for the seaside hotel hosting the Fascination Soap Pageant. Folkestone West station features in the film for the railway scenes where Marjorie Clark (Pauline Stroud) arrives and meets Dolores August (Diana Dors) and her consorts, Larry and Vic. The now closed Rotunda Amusement Park was also used for the scenes where Larry (John McCallum) and Marjorie visit and go on rides.<ref>{{cite web|author=Kent Film Office|url=http://kentfilmoffice.co.uk/1951/09/lady-godiva-rides-again-1951/|title=Kent Film Office Lady Godiva Rides Again Article}}</ref> |
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Diana Dors appeared in a swimsuit in one scene. She shot two versions - one in a bikini for release in Europe, another in a more conservative swimsuit for release in America.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article246262061 |title=Fixing Macbeth's Accent for U.S. |newspaper=[[The Herald]] |issue=23,112 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=21 June 1951 |accessdate=20 July 2020 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia}} </ref> |
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==US Release== |
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American censors had a number of objections to the content of the film, mostly due to the revealing nature of outfits worn by Diana Dors.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article248725782 |title=Film that shocked US |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |volume=XVII, |issue=49 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=19 May 1952 |accessdate=20 July 2020 |page=7 |via=National Library of Australia}} </ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*{{imdb title|id=0043719|title=Lady Godiva Rides Again}} |
*{{imdb title|id=0043719|title=Lady Godiva Rides Again}} |
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*[https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6ae6a19c Lady Godiva Rides Again] at BFI |
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*[http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/80644/Lady-Godiva-Rides-Again/ Lady Godiva Rides Again] at [[TCMDB]] |
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*[https://letterboxd.com/film/lady-godiva-rides-again/ Lady Godiva Rides Again] at Letterbox DVD |
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{{Launder and Gilliat}} |
{{Launder and Gilliat}} |
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{{Alexander Korda}} |
{{Alexander Korda}} |
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Revision as of 12:40, 20 July 2020
| Lady Godiva Rides Again | |
|---|---|
 retitled reissue pressbook cover | |
| Directed by | Frank Launder |
| Written by | Frank Launder Val Valentine |
| Produced by | Sidney Gilliat |
| Starring | Pauline Stroud Dennis Price Diana Dors |
| Cinematography | Wilkie Cooper |
| Edited by | Thelma Connell |
| Music by | William Alwyn |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Rank Organisation (UK) Carroll Pictures (USA) |
Release date | 25 October 1951 |
Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Box office | £117,891 (UK)[1] |
Lady Godiva Rides Again, is a 1951 British comedy film starring Pauline Stroud, George Cole and Bernadette O'Farrell, with a variety of British "name" performers in supporting roles and cameo appearances, about a small-town English girl who wins a local beauty contest by appearing as Lady Godiva, then decides to pursue greater fame in a national beauty pageant and as an actress.
The film was released in the United States under its original title in 1953 by Carroll Pictures, then was re-released in the United States as Bikini Baby, to capitalize on the fame of supporting player Diana Dors, who was given star billing with the new title.
The film is most notable for the presence of actresses who were later to become famous. Diana Dors, who appears as a beauty queen, was later marketed as the film's star. It also features Joan Collins in her film debut as an uncredited beauty contestant. Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be executed in England, also appears as an uncredited beauty queen. Ruth, who was four months pregnant at the time, had dyed her hair black and had styled it into a bob.
Other young starlets in the film included Diana Russell, Dana Wynter (billed as Dagmar Wynter), Anne Heywood (billed as Violet Pretty), Yvonne Brooks, Simone Silva, Jean Marsh and Pat Marlowe. It also featured Sid James in one of his first film roles. Trevor Howard has an uncredited cameo as a cinema patron.
Cast
- Pauline Stroud as Marjorie Clark
- Bernadette O'Farrell as Janie
- George Cole as Johnny
- Stanley Holloway as Mr. Clark
- Gladys Henson as Mrs. Clark
- John McCallum as Larry Burns
- Dennis Price as Simon Abott
- Diana Dors as Dolores August
- Eddie Byrne as Eddie Mooney
- Kay Kendall as Sylvia Clark
- Cyril Chamberlain as Harry, the boarder
- Lyn Evans as Vic
- Dora Bryan as Publicity Woman
- Sid James as Lew Beeson
- Richard Wattis as Casting Director
- Tommy Duggan as a Compere
- Felix Felton as a Councillor
- Alastair Sim as Hawtrey Murington (uncredited)
- Googie Withers as Susan Foster (uncredited)
- Trevor Howard as a cinema patron extra (uncredited)
- Joan Collins as beauty pageant contestant (uncredited)
- Ruth Ellis as beauty pageant contestant (uncredited)
- Jean Marsh as beauty pageant contestant (uncredited)
- Jimmy Young (Ballroom Singer) (Uncredited)
Production
The film was inspired by the Miss Kent 1950 beauty competition held at Leas Cliff Hall in Kent. Frank Launder, joint producer of the film with Leslie Gilliatt, was one of the judges in the competition. Audrey Hepburn tested for the title role but was judged too thin.[2]
The film was originally called Beauty Queen.
The filmmakers reportedly tested over 500 women to play the lead role including Joan Collins and Audrey Hepburn. The actor picked was Pauline Stroud.[3] Her only previous film experience was as Vera-Ellen's stand-in in Happy Go Lovely (1951). Collins was given a bit part.
It was the first time John McCallum, who was Australian, played an Australian in a British film.[4] Kay Kendall was cast as Stroud's sister after Launder saw her in a BBC play; the film helped revive Kendall's career after London Town.[5][6]
Filming took place in June-July 1951.
The production filmed on location in Folkestone, Kent. The Leas Cliff Hall was used as the location for the beauty competition, and The Metropole was the setting for the seaside hotel hosting the Fascination Soap Pageant. Folkestone West station features in the film for the railway scenes where Marjorie Clark (Pauline Stroud) arrives and meets Dolores August (Diana Dors) and her consorts, Larry and Vic. The now closed Rotunda Amusement Park was also used for the scenes where Larry (John McCallum) and Marjorie visit and go on rides.[7]
Diana Dors appeared in a swimsuit in one scene. She shot two versions - one in a bikini for release in Europe, another in a more conservative swimsuit for release in America.[8]
US Release
American censors had a number of objections to the content of the film, mostly due to the revealing nature of outfits worn by Diana Dors.[9]
References
- ^ Vincent Porter, 'The Robert Clark Account', Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, Vol 20 No 4, 2000 p495
- ^ Paris, Barry (1 September 2001). Audrey Hepburn. Penguin. ISBN 978-0425182123.
- ^ "No title". The Courier-mail. No. 4491. Queensland, Australia. 20 April 1951. p. 3. Retrieved 20 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "McCallum will play Australian in movie". The Sun. No. 12, 867. New South Wales, Australia. 26 April 1951. p. 38 (LATE FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved 20 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ THE GIRL THEY ALL FORGOT: Meet Kay Kendall Samson, Leonard. Answers; London Vol. 121, Iss. 3138, (Jun 21, 1952): 1-2.
- ^ GENEVIEVE'S' KAY KENDALL CLICKS By MORGAN HUDGINS. New York Times 31 July 1955: X5.
- ^ Kent Film Office. "Kent Film Office Lady Godiva Rides Again Article".
- ^ "Fixing Macbeth's Accent for U.S." The Herald. No. 23, 112. Victoria, Australia. 21 June 1951. p. 4. Retrieved 20 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Film that shocked US". The Daily Telegraph. Vol. XVII, , no. 49. New South Wales, Australia. 19 May 1952. p. 7. Retrieved 20 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
External links
- Lady Godiva Rides Again at IMDb
- Lady Godiva Rides Again at BFI
- Lady Godiva Rides Again at TCMDB
- Lady Godiva Rides Again at Letterbox DVD
