The Nov. 5 selection in the Tryon Connection film series at the Tryon Fine Arts Center is “Genevieve,” a British comedy from the 1950s with broad family appeal that will also be of particular interest to antique car enthusiasts.

The Tryon connection in this case is the British character actor and comedienne, Joyce Grenfell. The daughter of Nora Flynn (wife of Maurice “Lefty” Flynn), she came to Tryon in her youth with her family, the Langhornes, and later to visit her mother and stepfather at their home, “Little Orchard.” Her visits are still remembered fondly by several Tryonites.

Born in London in 1910, Grenfell made her stage debut in 1939, just months before the start of World War II, and quickly became a popular comedienne on radio and with a traveling show to entertain troops, which she continued throughout the war.

She made 24 films, the best known being the “St. Trinians” series in which she starred with Alistair Sim, as a comedic star with a gift for creating characters from all walks of British (and occasionally, American) life she continued performing on stage as well as radio and television until shortly before her death in 1979.

Directed by Henry Cornelius, and starring John Gregson, Dinah Sheridan, Kay Kendall, and Kenneth More, the story of “Genevieve” revolves around the annual antique car rally between London and Brighton. A friendly wager turns the rally into a race between two young couples in their ancient vehicles.

For car buffs, the film is a treasured documentary showing an extensive collection of cars dating back to the earliest “horseless carriages” assembled for the movie by members of antique car clubs from all over Britain. Grenfell plays only a small, but charming, role in the film, but the Tryon audience will have the opportunity to see additional character sketches of her before the main attraction.

The Tryon Connection series is shown at the Tryon Fine Arts Center on alternating Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Refreshments are available for purchase before the screening.

For more information, visit www.tryonarts.org or call 828-859-8322.

– article by Frances Flynn