Desert Mice

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Desert Mice
Desert Mice film Theatrical release poster (1959).png
Theatrical release quad poster
Directed by Michael Relph
Screenplay byDavid 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
  • December 1959 (1959-12)(UK)
Running time
85 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

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]

Contents

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

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." [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]

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References

  1. ↑ "I'm All Right Jack". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  2. ↑ "Desert Mice (1959) - Michael Ralph, Michael Relph - Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related". AllMovie.
  3. ↑ "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.
  4. ↑ "Desert Mice - TV Guide". TVGuide.com.
  5. ↑ "Desert Mice". Find and Watch.
  6. ↑ Radio Times Guide to Films (18th ed.). London: Immediate Media Company. 2017. p. 244. ISBN   9780992936440.


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