Desert Mice
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| Desert Mice | |
|---|---|
.png) 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 |
Production companies | Artna Films Welbeck |
| Distributed by | J. Arthur Rank Film Distributors (UK |
Release date |
|
Running time | 85 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
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]
It was a Welbeck Presentation released through Rank.
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
The film was made through Sydney Box Associates, who had a deal with the Rank Organisation. The movie was produced through Welbeck Film Distributors, one of Box's companies. Among the other films it made for Rank at this time were The Night We Dropped a Clanger, Too Young to Love, Faces in the Dark and Conscience Bay.[4]
The original title was Every Night Something Awful, which was a joke alternative meaning for ENSA.[5] Filming took place in September 1959. The title was changed to Desert Mice in October 1959.[6]
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.