Chance of a Lifetime (1950 film)
| Chance of a Lifetime | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Bernard Miles |
| Produced by | Bernard Miles |
| Written by |
Walter Greenwood Bernard Miles |
| Starring |
Basil Radford Niall MacGinnis Bernard Miles |
| Music by | Noel Mewton-Wood |
| Cinematography | Eric Cross |
| Edited by | Peter Price |
| Distributed by |
British Lion Pilgrim Pictures |
|
Release date
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|
Running time
|
89 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Chance of a Lifetime is a 1950 British film starring, produced, co-written and directed by Bernard Miles. The Rank and Associated British cinemas refused to show the film, claiming it was too political and “would annoy employers”. The Ministry of Labour and the British Employers Confederation argued that the film would damage management-employee relations, particularly in the light of renewed industrial unrest in early 1950. The chairman of the Board of Trade, Harold Wilson, argued in cabinet that this was overreaction and the cabinet approved the film’s release, using the 1948 Film Act to ensure the film was shown on the major cinema circuit. It was nominated for the 1951 BAFTA for Best British Film, which was awarded to The Blue Lamp.
In the times of austerity after the Second World War, Dickinson works hard to try to keep his failing agricultural implements factory going. His disgruntled workers do not appreciate his efforts, however. He has a suggestion box installed as a safety valve, but the only response is an insult directed at him. When Dickinson sacks Bolger, the author of the suggestion, the rest of the workers go out on strike. Dickinson confronts them and, in the heat of the moment, tells them he works much harder than they think and dares them to run the business themselves. Baxter gets the others to take him up on his suggestion, and they elect Stevens and Morris to do just that. Dickinson is taken aback, but reluctantly agrees to let the factory on condition that they pay him annually 5% of the capital value of the business, £120 a week.
Bland, the despised works manager, Miss Cooper, Dickinson's secretary and a few others quit as well. That night, Dickinson's solicitor and doctor advise him to take a holiday and recommend Miss Cooper return to work.
A supplier changes its credit terms, causing a financial crisis. The local bank manager is unwilling to extend a temporary loan, so Baxter goes to see the manager's boss, Sir Robert Dysart, but has no luck. Finally, Stevens and Morris put up the deeds to their own homes, Palmer raises money on his insurance policy, and after some grumbling, some of the workers make up the remaining shortfall.
Meanwhile, the Xenobian trade delegation contact the factory to arrange a demonstration of the "one-way plough" that Dickinson had been working on. Miss Cooper invites Dickinson to attend, but he merely watches from a distance through binoculars. The Xenobians are impressed and order 800 ploughs for £50,000. After the contract is signed, Adam insists the only way to fulfill such a large order is to focus their efforts solely on the plough, to the exclusion of work they have already contracted for from longtime customers. Morris returns to the factory floor rather than be a party to abandoning their other customers. Adam takes his place.
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