The Galloping Major was based on a story idea by British comedic actor Basil Radford, and would turn out to be his swansong as an actor. Directed and produced by Ealing stalwarts Henry Cornelius (I Am a Camera, Passport to Pimlico) and Monja Danichewsky, The Galloping Major was made by Romulus Films, but owes so much to it’s creators’ former studio, not least a whimsical charm and story championing the underdog

After a successful day at the races, Major Arthur Hill (Basil Radford) and Harold Temple (Hugh Griffith) decide to raise a £300 syndicate to buy a certain racehorse. With excited help from their friends they get the money, but things don’t go so smoothly from here. First, they accidently buy the wrong horse which proves to have more of an affinity for jumping than racing. They then decide to train it themselves as a jumper under the new name “The Galloping Major”. However, on the night before the Grand National, the horse mysteriously disappears…

Alongside Basil Radford (The Captive Heart, Whisky Galore!) features a stellar cast including Jimmy Hanley (The Blue Lamp, The Captive Heart), Hugh Griffith (Oliver!, Kind Hearts and Coronets), Janette Scott (School for Scoundrels, As Long as They’re Happy), A.E. Matthews (Laughter in Paradise, Whisky Galore!) and Charles Victor (The Ringer, Major Barbara).