One of the better aspects of the humongous amount of satellite channels available is that very often the lesser channels pick up lesser British films and show them and although they seem to run them ad nauseam the important point is that they get to see the light of day. It’s a real shame that the bigger channels don’t pick these films up and thus improve their visibility but these days owe must be grateful of any viewing. And so it is that the small channel Film 24 comes to show Desert Mice now and again. Made in 1959 it centres around a troop of ENSA entertainers and the Commanding Officer who gets lumped with them, much to his chagrin.
This film has been much maligned over the years and I’m afraid I’m not really going to go against the ge
neral consensus much as it is a pretty shabbily made movie. It wears it’s low budget on it’s sleeve and some scenes seem have been inserted on an afterthought without much thought given to continuity. There isn’t even continuity in the quality of scenes. One second your on a realistic location, the next you have two actors stood in front of a ridiculously obvious back projection, which on occasion is wobbling to such an extent it looks to have more life in it than the actors! I should say in all fairness at this point that there is a scene where the village they are in is getting shelled and the director does manage to make it look realistic; it even threatens to be too realistic for the type of movie it is and gives the impression of being an altogether grittier affair – which it isn’t. Alfred Marks seems all at sea in his role as the wretched C.O. and looks as though he can never make his mind up how he is going to play his part, which is unfortunate given that it is he that is the lead. Which then leaves us the supporting cast to fall back on, and this is the saving grace for the film. Firstly, it features Sid James in a big role, a fact that therefore transforms the film into a watchable treat all by itself. Not only do we have the consummate Sid, but we also have the wonderful Dora Bryan, Reginald Beckwith (who gives such a delightful little speech about the ENSAS troops that I’m willing to bet that the writer was an ENSA member), Liz Fraser, Dick Bentley and Irene Handl all doing a splendid job in keeping Britcom fans on their seat in front of the telly. The more eagle-eyed viewers might even spot a very early appearance of The Good Life’s Paul Eddington amongst others in the uncredted roles.
So, although the whole affair is on the shoddy side, and the writing desperately needed a leg-up and an infusion of a few true rib-ticklers, the cast make this a film that is very easy to watch and not dislike. It’s rather ironic but the film gets by rather in the way the real ENSA did, with those involved battling against budgetary constraints and lack of talented helmsmanship to succeed against the odds entertain their audience.
neral consensus much as it is a pretty shabbily made movie. It wears it’s low budget on it’s sleeve and some scenes seem have been inserted on an afterthought without much thought given to continuity. There isn’t even continuity in the quality of scenes. One second your on a realistic location, the next you have two actors stood in front of a ridiculously obvious back projection, which on occasion is wobbling to such an extent it looks to have more life in it than the actors! I should say in all fairness at this point that there is a scene where the village they are in is getting shelled and the director does manage to make it look realistic; it even threatens to be too realistic for the type of movie it is and gives the impression of being an altogether grittier affair – which it isn’t. Alfred Marks seems all at sea in his role as the wretched C.O. and looks as though he can never make his mind up how he is going to play his part, which is unfortunate given that it is he that is the lead. Which then leaves us the supporting cast to fall back on, and this is the saving grace for the film. Firstly, it features Sid James in a big role, a fact that therefore transforms the film into a watchable treat all by itself. Not only do we have the consummate Sid, but we also have the wonderful Dora Bryan, Reginald Beckwith (who gives such a delightful little speech about the ENSAS troops that I’m willing to bet that the writer was an ENSA member), Liz Fraser, Dick Bentley and Irene Handl all doing a splendid job in keeping Britcom fans on their seat in front of the telly. The more eagle-eyed viewers might even spot a very early appearance of The Good Life’s Paul Eddington amongst others in the uncredted roles.So, although the whole affair is on the shoddy side, and the writing desperately needed a leg-up and an infusion of a few true rib-ticklers, the cast make this a film that is very easy to watch and not dislike. It’s rather ironic but the film gets by rather in the way the real ENSA did, with those involved battling against budgetary constraints and lack of talented helmsmanship to succeed against the odds entertain their audience.
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