THE CALENDAR
UK, 1948, 79 minutes, Black and white.
Greta Gynt, John Mc Callum, Raymond Lovell, Sonia Holm, Leslie Dwyer, Charles Victor, Felix Aylmer, Sydney King, Barry Jones, Diana Dors.
Directed by Arthur Crabtree.
The calendar is based on a thriller by Edgar Wallace. However, it is not a murder mystery. Rather it is a racing story.
The main focus is on a war veteran, Gary, played by Australian John Mc Callum during his years in Britain in the late 40s (later returning to Australia and becoming a force in Australian cinema over many decades). He is engaged to a glamorous blonde, Wenda, played by Greta Gynt. When he is disinherited by his aunt, she breaks the engagement and marries a rather silly-ass English Lord (Raymond Lovell).
Gary owns horses. Some are well-trained by the Lord’s sister, Molly (Sonia Holm). Given Gary’s financial troubles, he makes a plan while drinking for his horse not to win in the next day’s race. He sends a telegram to Wenda advising her not to back the horse. This telegram leads to many complications, being picked up by the Lord’s close friend, used against Gary, Gary sobering and changing his plan. The further complication is that the telegram is handed in to the stewards, interrogation of all concerned, the threat of withdrawing the horse from a significant race.
The main tension in the action comes towards the end where Wenda has denied all knowledge of the telegram and messages, the others all band together to force her to tell the truth and then forge her signature on an admission – and, of course, the horse winning the race.
Leslie Dwyer plays a former burglar in the service of Gary, a genial presence, stealing all his scenes – and organising the robbing of Wenda’s safe as well as the forging of her signature. He has the final smile at the camera when he recovers the pearls that Gary had lent Wenda and she had refused to return to him.
For those who enjoy the British cinema of the past.
1. A racing story? From thriller writer Edgar Wallace?
2. Britain in the postwar years, the racing industry, crowds at races, an inside story of management, betting? British society and wealth? The musical score?
3. Gary Anson, his war service, owning horses, racing them, betting, spendthrift, his aunt’s will, not leaving the mansion to him, the string of pearls to be sold to prevent him from bankruptcy? His pleasant manner, liked by all. His relationship with Wenda, engagement, the plans for marriage, her reaction to his poverty, breaking off the engagement, her marrying the rich Lord, Gary as best man at the wedding? Gary at home, Sam Hilcoat, his servant, jokes about firing him, his continued service? On the track, the collapse of the horse, having to be put down, the jockey with his injury? Gary working with Molly, her success in training?
4. The range of background characters, Molly, sister of the Lord who marries Wenda, her skill at training, attraction towards Gary? Hillcoat, burglaries in the past, a forger, mixing cocktails, enthusiasm, smart remarks, the full-service? John Dory, the bookmakers, friendship with Gary, placing the bet, with his own money, offering it back to Gary? Tony, friendship with Lord Hannaford, sponging on him, going to Paris, Gary’s telegram and keeping it, using it, living in, expelled by Wenda?
5. The situation with My Darling? Gary and money, drinking, the suggestion to pull the horse in the race, calling in the jockey, his agreement? Sending the telegram to Wenda at the airport advising her not to back My Darling? The next morning, sober, the talk with the jockey? The note on the hundred pound note to Wenda, giving her advice? Hillcoat delivering it?
6. Lord Hannaford, a silly ass’s Lord, his wealth, marrying Wenda, her extravagance, the bills? The visit to Paris? His suspicions about Gary? Tony egging him on?
7. Gary, his visit to Wenda and her bedroom, the latter, Tony alerting Lord Hannaford, the confrontation, Gary leaving? The issue of the hundred pound note, the message, Hillcoat’s pencil and indelible, Molly and the robbing of the safe?
8. My Darling coming second, the hopes for the main race? Ascot, the royal guests, the style of racing?
9. Lord Hannaford, Tony and the telegram, taking it to the stewards, the head of stewards, the hearing, the witnesses, the jockey and his covering, Molly and her story, Gary and telling the truth, the support of Sir John Garth? The decision of the stewards? To withdraw My Darling?
10. The tension before the race? Lord Hannaford late, the request to the chief steward, his not believing the note, that Gary had forged it? Tony becoming supportive, flirting with Wenda, telling of the story of his inheritance, her falling for it? The group coming, Lord Hannaford and the divorce, their forcing Wenda to sign the cheque, Hillcoat forging her name on a confession, taking it to the chief steward – the reinstatement of My Darling, the win?
11. Happy ending for all – but comeuppance for Wenda?
