Odds On

Odds On is Michael Crichton's first published novel. It was released in 1966 under the pseudonym of John Lange. It is a short 215-page paperback novel. Hard Case Crime republished the novel under Crichton's name on November 19, 2013.

Plot summary

It describes an attempt of robbery in an isolated hotel on Costa Brava. The robbery is planned with the help of a Critical Path Analysis computer program, but unforeseen events get in the way.

Structure and format

As in many other Crichton novels the chapters are named by date as in a diary, rather than by number or other content. In this particular novel the chapters reflect the total timespan, the ticking clock, of the plot as a whole. The fifteen chapters begins with Saturday, June Fourteenth, and ending with Afternoon, June Twenty-Second. The timespan of the story is just a little more than a week, which is yet another similarity to Crichton’s later novels.

Being his first book, it also contains some of Crichton's 'trademarks' for the first time. Among other things, Crichton started his tradition of beginning his novels with quotes:

Odds On (1928 film)

Odds On is a 1928 Australian silent film starring Arthur Tauchert set in the world of horse racing. It was the first film as director from noted cinematographer Arthur Higgins.

It is considered a lost film.

Plot

Sydney Baxter, a jockey, tries to shield a friend by allowing himself to be suspended for six months for improper riding. He joins up with racecourse urger Grafter Jones and sets of to tour country race meetings. Baxter goes to work in the stables of a family friend, John Grayson, and falls in love with his daughter, Betty. Grayson gives Baxter the chance to ride his horse, Brigade, in a local derby and Baxter is victorious.

Cast

Production

The female lead, Phyllis Gibbs, had been under contract to Cecil B. de Mille in Hollywood.

The movie was shot in June 1928 on location at Randwick racecourse and in Australasian Films' Bondi studio. A number of well known race horses and jockeys appear.