Rocking Horse Winner, The
Date: 1949
Director: Anthony Pelissier
Production Company: Two Cities Films
Stars: Valerie Hobson, John Howard Davies, Ronald Squire, John Mills, Hugh Sinclair
Location(s): Berkshire, Sussex
Region(s): South East R-Z
Storyline:
A shy, young boy escapes his mother’s incessant whining about his family’s lack of wealth after discovering that he has the ability to pick winners at the races when riding his rocking horse.
Additional Information:
Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson
Jimmy Snow, special effects technician, for whom we have a fulsome summary of his career written by his granddaughter Brigitte, together with her memories of him, worked on this film. All that she has shared with us can be read here.
Can you help:
If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.
We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.
- Capture 1
- 'Now' required
Following the serving of a writ against her, Hester Grahame (Valerie Hobson) returns home with her son Paul (John Howard Davies) after a walk. A very real looking street lined with mature trees.
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required
At the garden gate, Richard Grahame (Hugh Sinclair) meets his wife and son with news that he has lost his job. This is the set where much of the external action takes place.
- Capture 3
- 'Now' required
Paul enjoys a morning at the beach with his Uncle Oscar away from his money squandering mother and gambling father.
- Capture 4
- 01 Oct 2017
After Paul tells him about the house ‘whispering’ the names of race winners, Oscar takes his nephew to Goodwood for the afternoon. No question about it say Ray and Ron Glenister, this is Goodwood Racecourse in Sussex, West Sussex since 1974.
Ray and Ron Glenister add that the buildings appear in a 1905 postcard which is reproduced here with the kind permission of Peter Whitcomb and www.gravelroots.net (RL)
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required
A Policeman keeps an eye on the punters as Paul’s Uncle purchases tickets for the enclosure.
- Capture 6
- 'Now' required
Paul scans the grandstand through the wrong end of Oscar’s binoculars.
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required
The youngster tells his Uncle that Daffodil with win the next race. Goodwood Racecourse on Selhurst Park Road to the north of Chichester confirmed by Ray and Ron Glenister.
- Capture 8
- 'Now' required
Horses and riders parade before the next race. Goodwood Racecourse near Chichester, Sussex.
- Capture 9
- 'Now' required
Hester arrives by taxi at a tailors shop in a seedy part of town to sell items of clothing in order to pay a Bailiff who’s waiting back at home. Reel Street or studio set?
- Capture 10
- 'Now' required
Although disagreeing with the prediction, Oscar Cresswell (Ronald Squire) smiles at his nephew before placing a £20 bet on Daffodil for each of them.
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required
As Daffodil wins the race, Hester leaves the basement shop dissapointed by the price offered by Mr. Tsaldouris and walks home after noticing the rising cab fare. This has the appearance of a set with a street scene backcloth.
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required
On a late summer day, Paul and his Uncle relax by the river after placing a £1000 bet on Lively Spark in the Leger. On the Thames near Cookham in Berkshire.
- Capture 13
- 29 Oct 2020
A steamer approaches with a radio broadcast of the race playing through its loudspeaker system. The background boathouse belongs to Riversdale House to the south of Bourne End on the River Thames.
Andrew Price remarks that "Its not often a chimney is added to an existing structure."
- Capture 14
- 29 Oct 2020
Just as the race ends the steamer’s whistle blows, drowning out the winner of the race. Looking across the Thames towards the property named Waterside the Buckinghamshire bank.
Taken from a similar viewpoint by Andrew Price.
- Capture 15
- 'Now' required
Outside the house where Mr. and Mrs. Grahame are attending a party, their manservant Bassett (John Mills) discusses the upcoming Epsom Derby with a fellow Chauffeur (Johnnie Schofield). Again, this is likely to be a set.