Desert Mice is a 1959 British comedy film directed by Michael Relph and starring Alfred Marks, Sid James, Dora Bryan, Irene Handl, John Le Mesurier and Liz Fraser.[1] The screenplay was by David Climie. A group of ENSA entertainers with the British army in the North Africa desert during the Second World War thwart a Nazi plan.[2] The title is a play on the Desert Rats.[3]
| Desert Mice | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release quad poster | |
| Directed by | Michael Relph |
| Screenplay by | David Climie |
| Produced by | Basil Dearden |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Ken Hodges |
| Edited by | Reginald Beck |
| Music by | Philip Green |
| Distributed by | J. Arthur Rank Film Distributors (UK) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 85 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Plot
editAn ENSA group tours around North Africa entertaining British troops. One night, Bert hears the tune (with no words) for "Lily Marlene". He sets about writing a variety of lyrics to the tune. Attached to an intelligence unit they realise that when singing their words to the well-known tune some in the audience are singing in German, exposing them as spies.
Cast
edit- Alfred Marks as Major Poskett
- Sid James as Bert Bennett
- Dora Bryan as Gay Bennett
- Dick Bentley as Gavin O'Toole
- Joan Benham as Una O'Toole
- Reginald Beckwith as Fred
- Irene Handl as Miss Patch
- Kenneth Fortescue as Peter
- Patricia Bredin as Susan
- Liz Fraser as Edie
- Marius Goring as German Major
- Anthony Bushell as Plunkett
- George Rose as Popados
- Alan Tilvern as German Captain
- John Le Mesurier as Staff Colonel
- M. E. Clifton James as Field Marshal Montgomery
Production
editIn one of the lorries a photo of football player Dave Mackay is visible. While the film is set during the Second World War, Mackay did not start his professional football career until 1952.
Critical reception
editTV Guide called it a "Light little comedy."[4]
Sky Cinema said: "A good-hearted, sporadically enjoyable tribute to ENSA," whilst noting "an enjoyable roster of familiar British character actors, headed by Sidney James, Dora Bryan, Reginald Beckwith, Irene Handl and Dick Bentley, all seen at near their best. Director Michael Relph's serious-minded talents are not entirely suited to this featherweight farce, although he does deliver some agreeably funny moments."[5]
The Radio Times Guide to Films gave the film 3/5 stars, writing: "The feeble title pun on "Desert Rats" ...rather sets the tone for this overlookable comedy from director Michael Relph. Full of predictable characters, humdrum incidents and gags that would have lowered the morale of even the most battle-hardened tommy, it accompanies an ENSA concert party on its tour of army camps."[6]
References
edit- ^ "I'm All Right Jack". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
- ^ "Desert Mice (1959) - Michael Ralph, Michael Relph - Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related". AllMovie.
- ^ "Desert Mice – review - cast and crew, movie star rating and where to watch film on TV and online". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 17 May 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
- ^ "Desert Mice - TV Guide". TVGuide.com.
- ^ "Desert Mice". Find and Watch.
- ^ Radio Times Guide to Films (18th ed.). London: Immediate Media Company. 2017. p. 244. ISBN 9780992936440.
External links
edit- Desert Mice at IMDb
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