The Rocking Horse Winner (film)
The Rocking Horse Winner is a 1949 fantasy film about a young boy who can pick winners in horse races with complete accuracy.[1][2] It is an adaptation of the D. H. Lawrence short story The Rocking-Horse Winner and starred Valerie Hobson, John Howard Davies and Ronald Squire. Producer of the film John Mills also acted in the film.
| The Rocking Horse Winner | |
|---|---|
 American theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Anthony Pelissier |
| Produced by | John Mills Earl St. John |
| Written by | Anthony Pelissier |
| Based on | The Rocking-Horse Winner by D. H. Lawrence |
| Starring | Valerie Hobson John Howard Davies Ronald Squire |
| Music by | William Alwyn |
| Cinematography | Desmond Dickinson |
| Edited by | John Seabourne |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | General Film Distributors |
Release date |
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Running time | 91 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
It was shot at Denham Studios with sets designed by the art director Carmen Dillon.
Synopsis
The upper middle-class Grahame family are beset by money troubles, because of the lavishing tastes of Hester who spends far more than their income. Her elder brother Oscar bails her out several times but warns that he will not do so in future. Meanwhile her son Paul strikes up a friendship with Bassett, the new handyman and a former jockey. Paul is delighted when he receives a rocking horse for Christmas and shortly afterwards a whip. Concerns about the family's finances and his mother's unhappiness and lack of luck begin to effect Paul who is convinced that the house is whispering about them. He is seen riding his rocking horse in a total frenzy, terrifying his younger sisters.
Convinced that he is lucky, Paul asks Bassett to place a small wager on a horse. Proving to be exceptionally skilled at picking winners, which he claims to discover while riding his rocking horse, he soon forms a secret syndicate with Bassett and his uncle which is soon thousands of pounds in profit. Meanwhile Hester is struggling with bailiffs and forces to pawn clothes for a fraction of their real value. Desperate to help his mother, Paul agrees that thousands of pounds shall be given to his mother without her knowing its true source. They pretend this is an inheritance from a distant relative.
Rather than making her happier, Hester becomes even more driven in her reckless spending. Paul's apparent gift at picking winners has vanished, and the syndicate loses most of its winnings. Convinced that everything rides on choosing the victor for the Derby, Paul frantically rides on his horse. Eventually he cries out "Malabar" before suffering a seizure. Bassett places the money on the horse, in line with Paul's instructions, and wins £70,000. Shortly after the stricken boy is told of this he dies.
Cast
- Valerie Hobson as Hester Grahame
- John Howard Davies as Paul Grahame
- Ronald Squire as Oscar Cresswell
- John Mills as Bassett
- Hugh Sinclair as Richard Grahame
- Charles Goldner as Mr. Tsaldouris
- Susan Richards as the nannie
- Cyril Smith as the bailiff
- Anthony Holles as Bowler Hat
- Michael Ripper as 2nd Chauffeur
- Johnnie Schofield as 1st Chauffeur
- Caroline Steer as Joan Grahame
- Melanie McKenzie as Matilda Grahame
Reception
The film was considered a faithful adaptation of Lawrence's story.[3]
References
- Variety film review; 21 December 1949, page 8.
- Harrison's Reports film review; 10 June 1950, page 90.
- The Rocking Horse Winner Review - Read Variety's Analysis Of The Movie The Rocking Horse Winner
Bibliography
- The Great British Films, pp 137–139, Jerry Vermilye, 1978, Citadel Press, ISBN 0-8065-0661-X