Comedy Cult Classic

A small-town girl's leap into the world of beauty pageants brings unexpected complications.

LADY GODIVA RIDES AGAIN

THE COMEDY SIDE OF A BATHING BEAUTY CONTEST!

1951 · 1h 30m · NR · Comedy · IMDB TMDB

An unsophisticated and impressionable young girl finds herself in trouble after winning a beauty pageant.

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Quick Answer

What is Lady Godiva Rides Again about?

Lady Godiva Rides Again is a 1951 British comedy film directed by Frank Launder about an impressionable young girl who enters a beauty pageant after being inspired by a cinema advertisement.

Programmer's Pick

If you thought beauty pageants were all glam and tiaras, think again. Lady Godiva Rides Again serves up 1950s British satire with a parade of quirky locals, a rain-soaked cinema, and a dash of small-town ambition—plus a wink at the famously unclad legend herself.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

In postwar Coventry, an ordinary Sunday trip to the cinema turns momentous for Marjorie Clark after she spies an on-screen advertisement seeking contestants for the coveted role of Lady Godiva in the town’s annual festival. Spurred by curiosity and a dash of ambition, Marjorie decides to enter the competition, setting herself on a path from everyday life to the unpredictable world of beauty pageants. Surrounded by an eclectic cast of family, friends, and fellow hopefuls, she quickly discovers that chasing the crown is trickier than it looks, especially for a young woman unaccustomed to the pageantry and pressures of public scrutiny. With a distinctly British sense of humor and a keen eye on 1950s small-town aspirations, the film offers a lighthearted look at ambition and innocence.

Details & Specs

Director: Frank Launder
Writers: Frank Launder, Val Valentine
Release: 1951
Runtime: 1h 30m
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English
Genres: Comedy
Also Known As: Bikini Baby, Original title: Lady Godiva Rides Again

Why This Matters

This British comedy is notable for featuring early appearances by several future stars, including Joan Collins in her film debut and Sid James in one of his first roles, as well as an uncredited appearance by Ruth Ellis, later infamous as the last woman executed in the UK.

— SassyFlix Curator