Mouse on the Moon

[igenlode]

Today I happened to catch Mouse on the Moon on commercial TV: I'd heard that this was markedly inferior to the original hit, The Mouse that Roared, but in fact I found it equally as charming. The only element that jarred slightly is the beatnik satire, no doubt ever so terribly contemporary when the picture came out in the 1960s, but now just dated. Otherwise, the film carries out its predecessor's role of skewering national stereotypes with remarkable accuracy and affectionate good humour: I defy any Briton to watch the scene where an urgent Cabinet meeting is interrupted by a break for tea — or the BBC newsreader's script giving a 'patriotic interest' spin to the story of the Grand Fenwick rocket launch — without a laugh!

Peter Sellers is, famously, missing from the cast of this sequel, which leaves a number of roles to be filled. But when this provides an opportunity to include Margaret Rutherford and Ron Moody it's not a problem — among the other famous names on the list, Terry-Thomas is unmistakable in his minor role as a British spy, and I did manage to identify Bernard Cribbins before the credits rolled. I was considerably surprised to see Frankie Howerd credited as "himself", however; according to the IMDb, he has a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo as a man seeking a public convenience towards the beginning of the film. I remember the character, but I didn't notice him as Frankie Howerd...

Recommended. This is a classic British comedy in the best sense of the word, and a worthy successor to the spirit of Ealing Studios.