A miner, Jim Gay, owns a greyhound, "Raving Beauty", which has been very successful in races at the local stadium called Rodney Park. But his bets on the dog are not winning him much money, so Gay hits upon a plan to improve its starting odds so as to win more money. He and his friend Peter initially pretend that Raving Beauty is ill, and the rumours soon spread around the local community. However, upon visiting the vicar, Jim and Peter find out that the vicar is looking after his brother's greyhound called Prince of Erin who is due to compete in the same race as Raving Beauty on the Saturday. Peter attempts to find out more about Prince of Erin and forms a relationship with the vicar's daughter Peggy. He eventually finds out that Prince of Erin has good form from Shelbourne Park and his breeding bloodlines relate to Mick the Miller. Jim and Peter then tell the local community that Raving Beauty is fit and well because they know Prince of Erin is most likely to win and want a better starting price. Meanwhile Jim's daughter Sally is attending the Women's Institute to avoid Peter who is also her unwanted suitor. There she meets and falls in love with a final year medical student who is lecturing the group on first aid. On race day Jim and Peter bet Prince of Erin at odds of 7-1, whilst the local community bet on Raving Beauty where the odds are still 1-1. Both greyhounds perform well but Prince of Erin wins. The local community realise that Jim and Peter knew more, which results in Jim getting a black eye. However Jim has won enough money from the bookmakers to take a taxi home, give the vicar a donation for his charities and to pay back four family members their stake money. Meanwhile Peter offers to be the best man at Sally's wedding and goes off with Peggy. The film ends with a Jim and Maggie going on holiday to Blackpool in a new motor car with Jim sitting in the back with Raving Beauty. A sub plot sees Jim's daughter and the vicar's son get engaged to be married.
'TV Guide' wrote, "comic situations abound but fall far short in the execution, which is surprising coming from eminently competent director Elvey."
'Monthly Film Bulletin' wrote in 1954, "this unimaginative film version of Wilfred Pickles' stage success has gained little from the transference, apart from the use of authentic locations which give an impression of realism. Wilfred Pickles presents an interesting character study of a hard-working miner, whilst retaining his customary mannerisms. Petula Clark gives a sensitive performance."
'Today's Cinema' also wrote in 1954, "Pretty Petula Clark is as fresh as ever and gives a well-ironed performance. In Russell Enouch she has a romantic partner with good looks, modest charm and considerable ability."
Scenes
The greyhound racing scenes were shot mainly at Belmont Stadium in Durham an independent track. However the final race actually shows the greyhounds racing around two different tracks, Belmont and a much larger unidentified stadium. The portrayal of 1950s independent greyhound racing is reasonably accurate.
