Take a Chance is a 1937 British comedy sports film directed by Sinclair Hill and starring Claude Hulbert, Binnie Hale and Henry Kendall. It was written by G.H. Moresby-White and D. B. Wyndham-Lewis based on the 1931 play of the same title by Walter Hackett. The film was reissued in 1945.
Contents
Synopsis
The cynical Richard Carfax develops a relationship with Cicely Burton, the wife of a race horse owner, in order to get inside information on a horse named 'Take a Chance' which is considered to be the favorite in an upcoming race. Her suspicious husband hires Alastair Pallivant, an incompetent tipster and part-time detective, to tail her and swears that he will scratch the horse from the race if he uncovers evidence about Carfax and his wife. Having his own private arrangement with a betting gang, Pallivant does everything he can to prevent the favourite from running. However, he encounters the equally determined Wilhelmina Ryde, a garage owner who stands to win heavily if the favorite rides to victory.
Main cast
Claude Hulbert as Alastair Pallivant
Binnie Hale as Wilhelmina Ryde
Henry Kendall as Archie Burton
Enid Stamp-Taylor as Cicely Burton
Gwen Farrar as Lady Meriton
Jack Barty as Joe Cooper
Harry Tate as Sergeant Tugday
Guy Middleton as Richard Carfax
Kynaston Reeves as Blinkers Grayson
Production
The film was made at Ealing Studios by the independent production company Grosvenor Films, with sets were designed by the art director Aubrey Hammond.
Reception
Kine Weekly wrote: "The plot contains a number of good twists, but neither the stars not the director take tull advantage of the laughter-making. Here and there the film amuses and the culminating race scene is both thrilling and exhilarating but as a whole the entertainment is anything but a riot."
The Daily Film Renter wrote: "Put over on broad lines, with abundance of farcical content, action is climaxed with fairly exciting race sequence, and affords Claude Hulbert opportunities for familiar fooling, Harry Tate abetting as musical-comedy policeman. Agreeably staged, acceptable offering for masses."