The Calendar (1948 film)
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by Edgar Wallace
| The Calendar | |
|---|---|
![](#/media/File:"The_Calendar"_(1948_film).jpg) Original pressbook | |
| Directed by | Arthur Crabtree |
| Written by | Geoffrey Kerr |
| Based on | The Calendar by Edgar Wallace |
| Produced by | Antony Darnborough |
| Starring | Greta Gynt John McCallum |
| Cinematography | Cyril J. Knowles Reginald H. Wyer |
| Edited by | Jean Barker |
| Music by | Arthur Wilkinson |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | General Film Distributors (UK) Eagle Lion (US) |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 79 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Box office | £92,000 (by July 1953([1] |
The Calendar is a black and white 1948 British drama film directed by Arthur Crabtree and starring Greta Gynt, John McCallum, Raymond Lovell and Leslie Dwyer.[2] It was written by Geoffery Kerr based on the 1929 play The Calendar and subsequent novel by Edgar Wallace. A previous version had been released in 1931.[3]
Garry is a racehorse owner. After he loses money at the races, his fiancee Wenda jilts him and marries Lord Willis Panniford, whose sister Molly trains Garry's horses.
Whilst drowning his sorrows, Garry becomes involved in a big-race scandal. The plot is to steal his own prize horse before a race, therefore increasing the odds in another big upcoming race, the Ascot Gold Cup.
Stewards run an inquiry into the running of Garry's horse. Wenda is called as a witness. She denies that Garry's first telegram telling her not to back his horse was cancelled out by another message from him, which was sent before the race.
Molly knows that Garry stopped the dishonest running plan. She gets Garry's second note that he had originally sent to Wenda, and shows it to the stewards just before the running of the Gold Cup race.
Garry is cleared of all charges.[4]
Cast
- Greta Gynt as Wenda Panniford
- John McCallum as Captain Garry Anson
- Raymond Lovell as Lord Willie Panniford
- Sonia Holm as Lady Mollie Panniford
- Leslie Dwyer as Sam Hillcott
- Charles Victor as John Dory
- Felix Aylmer as Lord Forlingham
- Diana Dors as Hawkins
- Cyril Chamberlain as Customs Official
- Sidney King as Tony
- Noel Howlett as lawyer
- Barry Jones as Sir John Garth
- Claude Bailey as Lord Inspond
- Desmond Roberts as Rainby
- Fred Payne as Andy Lynn
Production
The Calendar had been a popular novel and play which was previously filmed in 1931. Sydney Box decided on a remake as part of his slate of movies at Gainsborough Studios.
In June 1947, Gainsborough announced that the film would feature the comedy team of Basil Radford and Naunton Wayne.[5] Neither actor appears in the final film. The film was to be one of two about horse racing made by Gainsborough the other being Becher's Brook. The films were scheduled to be directed by Maurice Elvey but he was fired by Gainsborough's head of production Sydney Box and replaced by Arthur Crabtree.[6]
It was an early lead role for Australian actor John McCallum who had been in The Loves of Joanna Godden (1947). Filming took place in October 1947.[7] It was mostly shot at Gainsborough's Islington studios in London. There was location filming at Ascot and Hurst Park.[8] It was the first time royal permission was given to film on the royal course.[9]