Take a Chance is a 1937 British comedy sports film directed by Sinclair Hill and starring Claude Hulbert, Binnie Hale, and Henry Kendall. It depicts farcical events in the horse racing world.
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 based on a play by Walter C. Hackett. It was made at Ealing Studios by the independent production company Grosvenor Films.
References
Bibliography
Low, Rachael. Filmmaking in 1930s Britain. George Allen & Unwin, 1985. Wood, Linda. British Films, 1927-1939. British Film Institute, 1986.