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Desert Mice
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Wikipedia article
'Desert Mice' is a 1959 British comedy film featuring Alfred Marks, Sid James, Dora Bryan, Irene Handl, John Le Mesurier and Liz Fraser. A group of ENSA entertainers with the British army in the North Africa desert during the Second World War thwart a Nazi plan. The title is a play on the Desert Rats.
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
There is one big gaffe in the film, when in one of the lorry journeys you see a photo of Dave Mackay, of Spurs, stuck on the lorry canopy; clearly it dates from the 1959 period of the film, and not WW2, as 1959 was when Mackay began playing for Spurs Football team.
Critical reception
'TV Guide' called it a "Light little comedy." and Sky Cinema "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."
References
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