The Great Game

The Great Game is a 1953 British sports comedy-drama directed by Maurice Elvey and starring James Hayter, Thora Hird and Diana Dors. It was based on a play by Basil Thomas. Many of the scenes were shot at Griffin Park the home of Brentford F.C. Several professional football players made appearances in the film including Tommy Lawton. Plot The chairman of a relegation zone English football club makes an illegal approach to a rising star of a rival club. This is discovered by the football authorities and the Chairman is ultimately suspended from the game following the ensuing scandal. Cast James Hayter – Joe Lawson Thora Hird – Miss Rawlings Diana Dors – Lulu Smith John Laurie – 'Mac' Wells Meredith Edwards – Skid Evans Jack Lambert – Ralph Blake Glyn Houston – Ned Rutter Geoffrey Toone – Jack Bannerman Alexander Gauge – Ben Woodhall Frank Pettingell – Sir Julius Tommy Lawton – Cameo Sheila Shand-Gibbs – Mavis Pink Original play The film was based on a play "Shooting Star" by Basil Thomas which premiered in 1949. Thomas was a football fan who decided to write a play about the transfer system. He says managers and directors were keen to co operate. Among the people Thomas interviewed were Ted Vizard, Stan Cullis and Claude Jephcott.