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| Peter Sellers in 1959 |
On a quiet night after kids were in bed, I was caught by a movie. Carrying a load of laundry through the room, Peter Sellers appeared on the screen and that did it for me. I sat down and started sorting socks as the movie unfolded.
The main characters are Peter Sellers (who plays three roles), Jean Seberg, William Hartnell, and Leo McKern, all talents in the English stage, TV and film.
This is a standard movie trailer from 1959,
The 1959 movie, The Mouse that Roared leads the viewer through the country of Grand Fenwick, supported by its export of wine. A country the size of a town in Rhode Island, Grand Fenwick is a pre-industry state and darn proud of it. When California undercuts the product by selling its own wine, Pinot Grand Fenwick, the country is bankrupt.
To save the country, Peter Sellers (prime minister, Count Rupert Montjoy) suggests that Grand Fenwick declare war on the United States. The thinking was:
"The surest way to wealth today is to lose a war with the United States, for that country's odd reaction is to pour aid, relief and rehabilitation on the vanquished."
But first, the Grand Fenwick army has to attack America. Twenty soldiers in medieval chainmail, carrying bows and arrows, catch a ride on a French tug. They arrive at the New York harbor during an air-raid drill, which confuses the heck out of the army since the streets are empty.
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| Wandering through the streets of NY |
Meanwhile the G.F. army is frantically looking for a place to surrender. They somehow end up with the Q Bomb which is capable of destroying an entire continent. Beyond all expectations, G.F. wins the war.
The G.F. capture the scientist and his daughter, taking them AND the Q Bomb back to Grand Fenwick. When the conquering F.B. army returns to Grand Fenwick, things go a bit wild at this point.
It is exhausting to try to tell this story. But this is an English movie, crisp with tight dialogue, humor that threads through all the bumbling one can imagine.
Just watch it. It is a movie for a quiet night with a glass of wine or three, and no expectations. The socks can wait to be sorted.
I think I caught a bit of that one night. I leave TCM on in the background (the channel that's on between the shows I watch on the DVR).
ReplyDeletePeter Sellers was a character, super comedy. Pink Panther? Crazy good.
DeleteI first saw this movie on TV when I was around 10 years old in the late 1960s. I immediately fell in love with its absurd humour. I found the book in the library on which it was based and read it several times. Thanks for bringing back good memories!
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, I thought about this movie recently, and decided it would be fun to share with readers.
DeleteI've never heard of this, but if it ever comes to TV, I'll be sure to catch it. It sounds good and I LOVE British humor, so much more subtle than ours.
ReplyDeleteYes, they do quality work.
DeleteForgot to mention: Happy Thanksgiving, dear Susan
ReplyDeleteAnd a Happy T-Giving to you as well!
DeleteI am not a Peter Sellers fan. The Mouse That Roared is the only movie of his that I like. It is hilarious.
ReplyDeleteI think I will try to find it on NetFlix and watch it again.
DeleteSounds interesting. I recognised William Hartnell in your picture, he was the first Dr Who that I ever saw when it was a TV series in the 60s. I remember the days when I sorted and ironed while watching TV.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Hartnell always brought in to talent.
DeleteHi Susan - love those old British movies ... we used to 'roar' with laughter at them ... thanks for featuring us!! Sort your socks and enjoy Thanksgiving - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteBritish humor and mysteries are superb.
DeleteI had a similar experience as Debra did. I think that I first saw this in the late 1970s when I was very young. It is a great film that is well worth watching today. Peter Sellers was so talented. Maybe I will give it a new viewing soon.
ReplyDeleteJust plain old comedy, visual and verbal. Love it.
DeleteDon't you just love it when you come across a movie purely by chance and turns out to be captivating?? Even better if it's funny. :) I'm here to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteAnd to you, as well. Eat healthy!
DeleteFun to watch, socks or not.
ReplyDeletehaha some just make no sense, but can be entertaining to watch.
ReplyDeleteAlways good to just sit back and watch something that has no deep meaning.
DeleteIt has been so long since i've seen this, it is quite good and sadly forgotten by most. Hope you had a blessed and beautiful Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteWe had a great time together! Hope you did as well.
DeletePeter Sellers was of course a member of The Goons. Not sure if you had their shows in the USA.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
The Goons? Just looked it up. They were a major influence on comedy, US and England. And on the Beatles.
DeleteThanks for the info. I appreciate it.
I'm not sure if Spike Milligan was well-known in the US. Some of his sketches are on You Tube. He also was an author.
DeleteGod bless.
Never heard of the movie but it sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteIt is perfect for you to light up a fire, have a Guinness or Jameson, and laugh.
DeleteI love that movie!
ReplyDeleteAwesome movie, not everyone even knows about it.
DeleteThank you for your kind comment on my Blog today.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you Susan.
I enjoy your blog so much.
DeleteOh I haven't thought of Peter Sellers in ages!!!
ReplyDeleteHe died in the mid 80s from heart failure. So when I saw this movie, I was thrilled. Glad you enjoyed him as well.
DeleteI've never seen that movie.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've seen this one, but Peter Sellers is a riot.
ReplyDeleteWe did this play in high school and I'm absolutely positive that it would be much better with Peter Sellars. What a cast!
ReplyDelete