Desert Mice
{{Short description|1959 British film by Michael Relph}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2016}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Desert Mice
| image = Desert_Mice_film_Theatrical_release_poster_(1959).png
| caption = Theatrical release quad poster
| director = Michael Relph
| screenplay = David Climie
| producer = Basil Dearden
| narrator =
| starring = {{ubl|Alfred Marks|Sid James|Dora Bryan}}
| music = Philip Green
| cinematography = Ken Hodges
| editing = Reginald Beck
| distributor = J. Arthur Rank Film Distributors (UK)
| released = {{Film date|df=y|1959|12||UK}}
| runtime = 85 minutes
| country = United Kingdom
| language = English
| budget =
| gross =
}}
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.{{Cite web |title=I'm All Right Jack |url=https://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/Details/ChoiceFilmWorks/150016576 |access-date=5 January 2024 |website=British Film Institute Collections Search}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/desert-mice-v89182|title=Desert Mice (1959) - Michael Ralph, Michael Relph - Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related|website=AllMovie}} The title is a play on the Desert Rats.{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/film/9rh4/desert-mice/|title=Desert Mice – review - cast and crew, movie star rating and where to watch film on TV and online|website=Radio Times|access-date=17 May 2019|archive-date=17 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517094316/https://www.radiotimes.com/film/9rh4/desert-mice/|url-status=dead}}
Plot
An 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
- 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
In 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
TV Guide called it a "Light little comedy."{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/desert-mice/review/112724|title=Desert Mice - TV Guide|website=TVGuide.com}}
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."{{cite web|url=http://www.sky.com/tv/movie/desert-mice-1959|title=Desert Mice|website=Find and Watch}}
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."{{Cite book |title=Radio Times Guide to Films |publisher=Immediate Media Company |year=2017 |isbn=9780992936440 |edition=18th |location=London |pages=244}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|0052728}}
Category:North African campaign films
Category:Military comedy films
Category:British black-and-white films
Category:Films shot at British National Studios
Category:1950s English-language films
Category:Films scored by Philip Green
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