Mad About Men is a sequel to the innovative little British comedy Miranda. That film was about a mermaid coming out of water and befriending every male she met. This picks up some time after with Glynis Johns reprising her role not only as Miranda but also as stuffy teacher Caroline going to Cornwall to sell her house so she can marry snooty Peter Martyn. There she finds Miranda, realizes the two look just alike, and leaves Miranda in her place as herself. Naturally, Miranda is up to nothing but mischief, again befriending every male she meets. Brain surgeons are not needed to figure out how this all ends, but the film has a nice pace and keeps the whole thing afloat somehow. Like its predecessor, Mad About Men is charming, funny, and frivolous entertainment. Johns is breathtaking in colour. She exudes tons of sex appeal once again as the fishy nymphomaniacal mermaid looking for men. Margaret Rutherford reprises her role as the nurse who knows Miranda's secret and as always is a joy. The rest of the cast is very solid, and director Ralph Thomas does a more than workmanlike job creating some believability - a possible problem with this film, unlike Miranda, being in glorious colour.
16 Reviews
Miranda Returns For Another Fish-Out-Of-Water Adventure....
ferbs541 June 2017
When we last saw the mermaid Miranda, in the 1948 British fantasy film that bears her name, she was sitting on a rock in the middle of the ocean, bearing on her lap an infant merbaby, the sight of which was apparently meant to stun and amuse the viewer. Although the charming Miranda had almost caused the breakup of no fewer than three relationships in that film, she had not been intimate with any of the men involved (and really, how COULD she be?), and so...just whose baby was this? In hindsight, the baby was apparently hers as the result of a previous underwater fling, casting a whole new light on just why the frisky mermaid wanted one abovewater adventure before becoming a mermom herself. Or perhaps she was merely merbabysitting in that final scene? I suppose that we will never know for sure, as the sequel to "Miranda," entitled "Mad About Men," which was belatedly released six years later, never even alludes to the subject of maternity. Happily, however, it is a wonderful sequel, reuniting two of the previous film's principals, Miranda herself (once again portrayed by the effortlessly charming Welsh actress Glynis Johns) and her eccentric caretaker, Nurse Carey (the great Margaret Rutherford, seven years before her first go at the Miss Marple character with which she would later be forever associated; 62 here, but still capable of performing some physical stunts, such as crawling on the floor and swimming).
In the film, Johns gets to play two roles, a great blessing for all her many fans. The first of those roles is Caroline Trewella, a pretty blonde gym teacher who goes on holiday to her ancestral home in Cornwall. Caroline is engaged to a stuffy and prim fussbudget named Ronald (well played by Peter Martyn), who stays behind in London. Once in her quaint seaside home, Caroline is startled one night to hear very strange sounds emanating from the basement, and goes to investigate. I call this a basement, but actually, it is more of an underground cavern that connects to the sea (no fear of THIS basement ever being flooded, that's for sure!). In this cavern she discovers two very strange creatures: the simpleminded, redheaded mermaid called Berengaria (Dora Bryan), and her own exact lookalike, Miranda. The two, it seems, are distant relatives; one land based, one sea based. Miranda once again is desirous of having an adventure abovewater, while Caroline goes on a biking tour, and so the two hatch a very clever plot. Caroline pretends to have been injured in a gymnastic accident, and goes off on her tour, leaving in her place Miranda, once again ensconced in a wheelchair, her large telltale fin wrapped in a blanket. Once free to have fun, Miranda sets her sights on procuring a better fiancé for Caroline than the stuffy Ronald. She thus entices (effortlessly, as always) a local hunky-dude fisherman, Jeff Saunders (Donald Sinden), as well as the moustachioed Colonel Barclay Sutton (Nicholas Phipps), much to the chagrin of his fiancée, Barbara Davenport (Anne Crawford)...along the way also entrancing the local pawnbroker and dress vendor.
This sequel, it occurs to me, is very much the opposite of the original film. Whereas "Miranda" had been filmed in B&W, had featured only one mermaid, and had involved that one mermaid's flirtatious actions almost causing three couples to break up, the sequel was filmed in beautiful color (the scenery of the Cornish coast looks very nice, indeed), features twice as many mermaids, and spotlights Miranda trying to play matchmaker and bring people together. Once again, the script was provided by Peter Blackmore, the author of the original "Miranda" play, and once again, it is a sparkling and witty one; hence, Miranda says of her previous adventure on land "I had a whale of a time," and later, of her own singing, "I've never had any trouble with my scales." The sequel features more in the way of silly humor, thanks in large part to the antics of that ditzy Berengaria, culminating in a finale that almost seems lifted from the Three Stooges short "Micro-Phonies." Fortunately, director Ralph Thomas, who would go on to helm one of my favorite Bond pastiches, "Deadlier Than the Male," elicits terrific performances from all his players. But once again, it is Glynis Johns who steals the show here with her effortless charm and underrated beauty, shown to great effect in lustrous color. She is remarkably appealing, sexy and seductive as the playful Miranda, despite being the literal fish out of water, and fresh and feisty as the more conservative Caroline. I'm sure I am echoing the thoughts of all her many fans when I say that when it comes to Glynis Johns, the more of her, the better, and "Mad About Men" provides a double showcase for her abundant charms. This is a delightful fantasy that comes more than highly recommended, indeed. Still, I can't stop wondering about that little merbaby....
In the film, Johns gets to play two roles, a great blessing for all her many fans. The first of those roles is Caroline Trewella, a pretty blonde gym teacher who goes on holiday to her ancestral home in Cornwall. Caroline is engaged to a stuffy and prim fussbudget named Ronald (well played by Peter Martyn), who stays behind in London. Once in her quaint seaside home, Caroline is startled one night to hear very strange sounds emanating from the basement, and goes to investigate. I call this a basement, but actually, it is more of an underground cavern that connects to the sea (no fear of THIS basement ever being flooded, that's for sure!). In this cavern she discovers two very strange creatures: the simpleminded, redheaded mermaid called Berengaria (Dora Bryan), and her own exact lookalike, Miranda. The two, it seems, are distant relatives; one land based, one sea based. Miranda once again is desirous of having an adventure abovewater, while Caroline goes on a biking tour, and so the two hatch a very clever plot. Caroline pretends to have been injured in a gymnastic accident, and goes off on her tour, leaving in her place Miranda, once again ensconced in a wheelchair, her large telltale fin wrapped in a blanket. Once free to have fun, Miranda sets her sights on procuring a better fiancé for Caroline than the stuffy Ronald. She thus entices (effortlessly, as always) a local hunky-dude fisherman, Jeff Saunders (Donald Sinden), as well as the moustachioed Colonel Barclay Sutton (Nicholas Phipps), much to the chagrin of his fiancée, Barbara Davenport (Anne Crawford)...along the way also entrancing the local pawnbroker and dress vendor.
This sequel, it occurs to me, is very much the opposite of the original film. Whereas "Miranda" had been filmed in B&W, had featured only one mermaid, and had involved that one mermaid's flirtatious actions almost causing three couples to break up, the sequel was filmed in beautiful color (the scenery of the Cornish coast looks very nice, indeed), features twice as many mermaids, and spotlights Miranda trying to play matchmaker and bring people together. Once again, the script was provided by Peter Blackmore, the author of the original "Miranda" play, and once again, it is a sparkling and witty one; hence, Miranda says of her previous adventure on land "I had a whale of a time," and later, of her own singing, "I've never had any trouble with my scales." The sequel features more in the way of silly humor, thanks in large part to the antics of that ditzy Berengaria, culminating in a finale that almost seems lifted from the Three Stooges short "Micro-Phonies." Fortunately, director Ralph Thomas, who would go on to helm one of my favorite Bond pastiches, "Deadlier Than the Male," elicits terrific performances from all his players. But once again, it is Glynis Johns who steals the show here with her effortless charm and underrated beauty, shown to great effect in lustrous color. She is remarkably appealing, sexy and seductive as the playful Miranda, despite being the literal fish out of water, and fresh and feisty as the more conservative Caroline. I'm sure I am echoing the thoughts of all her many fans when I say that when it comes to Glynis Johns, the more of her, the better, and "Mad About Men" provides a double showcase for her abundant charms. This is a delightful fantasy that comes more than highly recommended, indeed. Still, I can't stop wondering about that little merbaby....
Mad about Glynis!
JLRMovieReviews29 September 2009
Warning: Spoilers
More Glynis Johns! Continuing her role as Miranda, Glynis Johns is the same flirtatious mermaid who is simply mad about men. This time around, we first see Glynis swimming and winning a swimming contest. But, wait a minute! She's got legs and people are calling her Caroline, and not Miranda. It dawns on the viewer, when Caroline is planning on going on vacation to a remote village by the seashore, that Caroline is going to meet Miranda and that Ms. Johns is going to play two parts.
Those involved in making this picture must have realized the only way to outdo the first film was to have a double dose of Glynis! And, it turns out they're related. Which of course explains why they look so much alike.
For those that liked "Miranda", they'll enjoy Miranda's escapades in this outing. Others may find it too silly, but Glynis exudes too much energy and charm for anyone to be really complaining about anything wrong with this film. Of course, as you expect, Miranda goes on land, posing as the earthbound Glynis(who has a fiancé) and all the while toys with several men's affections, and is even forward to a clerk in a jewelry store, and then the fiancé shows up and things get sticky.
There's even another mermaid, who gets into trouble a lot and is always giggling. Margaret Rutherford is on hand to aid Miranda in her existence on land. But, it does feel like too much time is spent on Margaret and the other mermaid in their skirmishes!!
One of her love interests is Donald Sinden, who was Grace Kelly's husband in "Mogambo," whose looks were overlooked due to the presence of Gable. But here Sinden is shown to good effect.
And, Miss Johns gets a chance to show off her lovely voice in singing a song in tribute to men. So, forget everything and dive in! More Glynis Johns is something to celebrate!
Those involved in making this picture must have realized the only way to outdo the first film was to have a double dose of Glynis! And, it turns out they're related. Which of course explains why they look so much alike.
For those that liked "Miranda", they'll enjoy Miranda's escapades in this outing. Others may find it too silly, but Glynis exudes too much energy and charm for anyone to be really complaining about anything wrong with this film. Of course, as you expect, Miranda goes on land, posing as the earthbound Glynis(who has a fiancé) and all the while toys with several men's affections, and is even forward to a clerk in a jewelry store, and then the fiancé shows up and things get sticky.
There's even another mermaid, who gets into trouble a lot and is always giggling. Margaret Rutherford is on hand to aid Miranda in her existence on land. But, it does feel like too much time is spent on Margaret and the other mermaid in their skirmishes!!
One of her love interests is Donald Sinden, who was Grace Kelly's husband in "Mogambo," whose looks were overlooked due to the presence of Gable. But here Sinden is shown to good effect.
And, Miss Johns gets a chance to show off her lovely voice in singing a song in tribute to men. So, forget everything and dive in! More Glynis Johns is something to celebrate!
Miranda Mark II
vampiresan13 April 2004
I saw both this film and it's predecessor the charming "Miranda" in one sitting late at night and have to say I found both delightful. But the second in the series was a little bit more fun.
I don't know if the censorship was loosened between the two films but in Mad About Men , Miranda's character is far more suggestive and the jokes and sexual banter is far more risky (though nothing compared to today's standards.)
As with the 1st film, this one really shines when we see the women reacting to Miranda's siren ways and of course Margaret Rutherford as the natty nurse Carrie is splendid as always.
Mermaids make great movies, there should be more of them!
I don't know if the censorship was loosened between the two films but in Mad About Men , Miranda's character is far more suggestive and the jokes and sexual banter is far more risky (though nothing compared to today's standards.)
As with the 1st film, this one really shines when we see the women reacting to Miranda's siren ways and of course Margaret Rutherford as the natty nurse Carrie is splendid as always.
Mermaids make great movies, there should be more of them!
Mad About Men
CinemaSerf21 November 2022
This is quite an enjoyable vehicle for a mischievous Glynis Johns, who doubles up as a gymnastics teacher ("Caroline") who is left a remote house on the Cornish coast, and a mermaid ("Miranda") who lives with her equally cheeky friend "Berengaria" (Dora Bryan) in a cave underneath. The two characters have a common ancestor and look identical, so when "Caroline" heads off on a cycling trip, her mermaid cousin takes her place - and immediately starts to charm just about every man in the village. Many of us who recall later performances from (Sir) Donald Sinden may forget just how handsome he was as he falls for her; as does "Col. Barclay Sutton" (Nicholas Phipps) whose fiancée "Barbara" (Anne Crawford) tires of the endless flirtations and sets about trying to put a spoke in her wheel. Margaret Rutherford is her usual, ebullient, self as the enthusiastically game nurse who is in on the whole thing from the start. It's amusingly suggestive at times, and the dialogue quite witty but the film is way too long, and once the joke has worn off it drags a bit. It is better, I felt, than the rather more rigid, staid original from 1948 however, and well worth a gander.
You've met the wet side of the family. Now meet the dry side. Very dry.
mark.waltz30 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The platinum blonde mermaid Miranda (Glynis Johns) returns after a six year hiatus in this delightful British comedy, filmed in gorgeous color, that also brings back Margaret Rutherford as her wacky nurse. Johns also plays Miranda's look alike, Caroline, an exact duplicate who while having legs lacks Miranda's zest for life. When they realize they are actually related, Miranda agrees to substitute for Caroline so she can have a lengthy vacation, and because Miranda doesn't have legs, they fake an accident so Miranda in disguise will be in a wheelchair. Caroline's handsome but dull fiancee (Peter Martyn) is perplexed by her change in behavior, and Rutherford, having promised to keep an eye on Miranda, but who will keep an eye on Caroline when she becomes interested in a wealthy fisherman (Donald Sinden) who is definitely a lot more exciting than her fiance.
Absolutely charming from start to finish, this left me with a huge grin as I watched all of the eccentric characters deal with the bizarre situation. Rutherford gets to sing, as does Johns but without sending in the clowns. There's also Anne Crawford as another faculty member, suspicious of Miranda's behavior and Dora Bryan as her wacky fellow mermaid friend who out does the man crazy Miranda in her interest in the human male. You don't need to have seen the original "Miranda" to watch this, but I think they are a charming double bill even though they are a bit different in structure.
Absolutely charming from start to finish, this left me with a huge grin as I watched all of the eccentric characters deal with the bizarre situation. Rutherford gets to sing, as does Johns but without sending in the clowns. There's also Anne Crawford as another faculty member, suspicious of Miranda's behavior and Dora Bryan as her wacky fellow mermaid friend who out does the man crazy Miranda in her interest in the human male. You don't need to have seen the original "Miranda" to watch this, but I think they are a charming double bill even though they are a bit different in structure.
A Mermaid Story for the Whole Family
barnesgene21 May 2007
For a movie about a mermaid, the special effects are quite basic. All to the better though, really, since it allows the writers to concentrate on their spiffy, silly dialog. The viewer is never made to feel too uncomfortable over the possibility that the mermaid will get caught in her disguise. Any such threatening moments would be pointlessly manipulative of the audience anyway, this being an obvious fantasy flick, so why not just have a good time, right? Where the movie fails to ignite is in the dated chick-flickian rather-fall-in-love-with-a-good-looking-guy drill. It's monochromatic and not terribly involving (so the ending's a bit ho-hum), but it does make way for good, direct, innocent -- and occasionally spicy -- remarks from the mermaid. Watch for great facial expressions from Margaret Rutherford, the nurse, and a good physical workout for the old gal as well!
An amiable follow-up to the mermaid film "Miranda"
planktonrules24 May 2007
Miranda is a nice mermaid who speaks perfect English. She meets up with a human who is her exact double. Apparently a distant relative had "relations" with a mermaid and this supposedly accounts for them looking 100% the same (a plot element only seen in movies and "The Patty Duke Show"). This nice mermaid and her nice counterpart decide to let Miranda pose as the other lady for a fortnight--during which time Miranda chases after men with wild abandon.
I am not a huge fan of the first mermaid film starring Ms. Johns (MIRANDA), though it was an amiable time-passer. Oddly, despite it being a very "small" film, a few people on IMDb gave it a score of 10, though I notice that the scores for this follow-up film, MAD ABOUT MEN, were not so inflated. This is really odd as both films are very similar and it's really a coin toss to decide which is the better picture. Interestingly enough, this sequel came 8 years after the original film. Also, while I have not seen it, apparently Ms. Johns made a brief cameo appearance as the mermaid in another film (HELTER SKELTER). So, overall, the film is charming and worth a look--just don't expect magic.
I am not a huge fan of the first mermaid film starring Ms. Johns (MIRANDA), though it was an amiable time-passer. Oddly, despite it being a very "small" film, a few people on IMDb gave it a score of 10, though I notice that the scores for this follow-up film, MAD ABOUT MEN, were not so inflated. This is really odd as both films are very similar and it's really a coin toss to decide which is the better picture. Interestingly enough, this sequel came 8 years after the original film. Also, while I have not seen it, apparently Ms. Johns made a brief cameo appearance as the mermaid in another film (HELTER SKELTER). So, overall, the film is charming and worth a look--just don't expect magic.
Camping with a girl? What a waste of a tent!
calvertfan25 November 2002
'Mad About Men' is every bit as good as 'Miranda', although it doesn't pick up the pace until at least a third in. Caroline Trewella has gone to stay at her Cornish cottage for a few days when she meets her distant cousin, Miranda. Miranda wants to go back on land, so Caroline agrees to let her take her place whilst she goes out cycling with a friend. And the first thing Miranda does is to decide that Caroline needs a better fiancee!
The colour looks a bit garish on Glynis Johns but Anne Crawford and Donald Sinden look lovely. Dora Bryan is also hilarious as Miranda's annoying little companion, who upsets the applecart on every possible occasion. The basics are the same as in 'Miranda' although the ending is definitely a little neater. 9/10
The colour looks a bit garish on Glynis Johns but Anne Crawford and Donald Sinden look lovely. Dora Bryan is also hilarious as Miranda's annoying little companion, who upsets the applecart on every possible occasion. The basics are the same as in 'Miranda' although the ending is definitely a little neater. 9/10
"You can get too much of a good thing..."
moonspinner5512 October 2015
Peter Blackmore scripted this weak whimsical fantasy, a Technicolor sequel to 1948's black-and-white "Miranda" (which had been based upon Blackmore's play). Glynis Johns returns as the romantic-minded mermaid who swims in the waters off Cornwall; she chances to meet her human twin, a distant relative and school-mistress who is about to be married to a stuffy engineer. Blackmore clearly relishes the chance to open up his scenario and throw in some wild bits of humor--and Johns in a dual role is certainly an inspired idea--but most of the warmth from the first film is missing. Miranda's true identity is discovered by a jealous female, who hopes to exploit the siren on-stage during a charity benefit (!), while Caroline, Miranda's twin, has to rush home from a biking trip to save the mermaid from catastrophe. Faintly enjoyable and yet too much of a good thing, what with corny one-liners and Margaret Rutherford overacting like mad in a reprisal of her role as Miranda's eccentric nurse and confidante. Blackmore and director Ralph Thomas raise a big laugh or two, but their chaotic finale is a complete muck-up, and the film's editing and continuity are disappointing. ** from ****
Mad About Men
mcannady115 December 2015
I just wanted to share my feelings about this film I had seen in the 60's growing up with my big sister. Were we ever enchanted by the mermaid story! I had and have hoped to go to Cornwall some day to see the locales. Since that time it has been fun seeing other people from this film in others. I discovered the talented Anne Crawford who was great in serious roles as well. Sadly, she passed away all too soon from Leukemia (before we had ever seen the film).
The story is delightful with the beautiful Miss Johns as the wistful mermaid wanting to meet men and switching places with her lookalike who has inherited a lodging house in Cornwall with a cave underneath.
The prim schoolteacher eventually meets a handsome man Miranda has chosen for her. Of course there is competition along the way, in the form of Anne Crawford's suitor who would turn aside from his engagement to be with Miranda. And of course the dowdy fiancée of Caroline is soon dispensed with.
A lovely and delightful story! Margaret Rutherford is outstanding as the eccentric Nurse Carey tending to her eccentric charge, Miranda. And a delightful whimsical moment - We even have Margaret's husband in a comedic scene as the Vicar who wants Nurse Carey to hang out with the sailors and smoke a pipe. This she endeavors to do with little success.
I can't even mention this wonderful film in the same breath as Splash which I might have liked better had it not been overdone sexual overtones. But I did like the story line of that film too. It's just that the actions and some dialogue were too blatant. Some of Tom Hanks's lines (and I do like Tom Hanks) are overdone.
Not to create a spoiler here - The original film to Mad About Men entitled Miranda is more racy, as we are to conclude that Miranda has had a child by a mortal man. But this is done with class and aplomb when we see the little "Merman" at the end with his mother looking wistfully toward the cave where she first met a married man.
In conclusion, to me Glynis gets the award as the most fetching and beautiful mermaid of all time - some 40 years after first seeing the film. My big sister and I wanted to grow up to look and be just like Glynis.
New info. as of May of 2016 - I recently obtained a copy of the film that is not garish. I know what the reviewer was saying and had a copy where Miranda's hair looked grayish blonde and the darker colors garish. I recall seeing the film in the 60's as a child on TV and it looked great. My new copy is just about as perfect as you can get.
The story is delightful with the beautiful Miss Johns as the wistful mermaid wanting to meet men and switching places with her lookalike who has inherited a lodging house in Cornwall with a cave underneath.
The prim schoolteacher eventually meets a handsome man Miranda has chosen for her. Of course there is competition along the way, in the form of Anne Crawford's suitor who would turn aside from his engagement to be with Miranda. And of course the dowdy fiancée of Caroline is soon dispensed with.
A lovely and delightful story! Margaret Rutherford is outstanding as the eccentric Nurse Carey tending to her eccentric charge, Miranda. And a delightful whimsical moment - We even have Margaret's husband in a comedic scene as the Vicar who wants Nurse Carey to hang out with the sailors and smoke a pipe. This she endeavors to do with little success.
I can't even mention this wonderful film in the same breath as Splash which I might have liked better had it not been overdone sexual overtones. But I did like the story line of that film too. It's just that the actions and some dialogue were too blatant. Some of Tom Hanks's lines (and I do like Tom Hanks) are overdone.
Not to create a spoiler here - The original film to Mad About Men entitled Miranda is more racy, as we are to conclude that Miranda has had a child by a mortal man. But this is done with class and aplomb when we see the little "Merman" at the end with his mother looking wistfully toward the cave where she first met a married man.
In conclusion, to me Glynis gets the award as the most fetching and beautiful mermaid of all time - some 40 years after first seeing the film. My big sister and I wanted to grow up to look and be just like Glynis.
New info. as of May of 2016 - I recently obtained a copy of the film that is not garish. I know what the reviewer was saying and had a copy where Miranda's hair looked grayish blonde and the darker colors garish. I recall seeing the film in the 60's as a child on TV and it looked great. My new copy is just about as perfect as you can get.
Follow-up to "Miranda" is showcase for Glynis Johns...
Doylenf21 May 2007
I never saw MIRANDA but this is a lively sequel to that film with GLYNIS JOHNS again playing the saucy mermaid with her usual charm.
Glynis is a flirtatious mermaid who takes the place of a schoolteacher for a couple of weeks, determined to find a better husband for her than the stuffy fiancé she's engaged to. They resemble each other greatly because, as "Miranda" describes it, they're both descended from the mermaid side of the family.
It's utter nonsense, played to the hilt by a cast intent on making it reasonably funny but only partly succeeding.
MARGARET RUTHERFORD overplays the role of a dotty nurse who looks after the mermaid and is in her element in over-the-top fantasy farce. DONALD SINDEN is a wealthy man Miranda has her eyes on as a possible husband for the schoolteacher.
It's filmed in garish looking color (unusual for a British film which usually featured muted color), but the charm begins to wear off fairly early as the plot gets sillier and sillier.
Summing up: Mermaid comedies are not my cup of tea and this one is sillier than most, especially when the mermaid's inability to walk is compensated by some weak plot contrivances which has her being carried around by the men with her mermaid tail barely concealed under a thin blanket.
Trivia note: Interesting to see JOAN HICKSON as the owner of a lodge, long before she became Jane Marple for British TV.
Glynis is a flirtatious mermaid who takes the place of a schoolteacher for a couple of weeks, determined to find a better husband for her than the stuffy fiancé she's engaged to. They resemble each other greatly because, as "Miranda" describes it, they're both descended from the mermaid side of the family.
It's utter nonsense, played to the hilt by a cast intent on making it reasonably funny but only partly succeeding.
MARGARET RUTHERFORD overplays the role of a dotty nurse who looks after the mermaid and is in her element in over-the-top fantasy farce. DONALD SINDEN is a wealthy man Miranda has her eyes on as a possible husband for the schoolteacher.
It's filmed in garish looking color (unusual for a British film which usually featured muted color), but the charm begins to wear off fairly early as the plot gets sillier and sillier.
Summing up: Mermaid comedies are not my cup of tea and this one is sillier than most, especially when the mermaid's inability to walk is compensated by some weak plot contrivances which has her being carried around by the men with her mermaid tail barely concealed under a thin blanket.
Trivia note: Interesting to see JOAN HICKSON as the owner of a lodge, long before she became Jane Marple for British TV.
Miranda Was Better
andyrobert14 August 2020
Quite a nice little film, possibly inspired by the many mermaid fairy tales of old.
Glynis Johns always looked lovely in no matter what film she was in; and Dora Bryan made ample use of her comic talents as Glynis Johns's dotty mermaid companion.
Anne Crawford was also turned in good a performance as Glynis Johns's jealous adversary - it is a pity that such a talented actress died so young. However, I must say that I much better enjoyed its prequel, "Miranda", made 6 years earlier in 1948.
8 out of 10
Glynis Johns always looked lovely in no matter what film she was in; and Dora Bryan made ample use of her comic talents as Glynis Johns's dotty mermaid companion.
Anne Crawford was also turned in good a performance as Glynis Johns's jealous adversary - it is a pity that such a talented actress died so young. However, I must say that I much better enjoyed its prequel, "Miranda", made 6 years earlier in 1948.
8 out of 10
A fishy tale
malcolmgsw24 April 2020
This is basically a one joke film,that wears a bit thin by the conclusion which goes to show that there are always going to be diminishing returns in sequels.Rutherford and Bryan are good but the rest are very pedestrian.
Boxing Not So Clever
writers_reign9 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
It's a fact universally acknowledged that film sequels seldom, if ever, eclipse the original and this is no exception. Producer Betty Box clearly short of a few bob decided to recycle her 1948 entry Miranda and tempt Glynis Johns to reprise the role by offering her the chance to play twins. Worth watching for Ann Crawford who weighs in with the only class to be seen.
Awful Sequel
richardchatten3 March 2020
What a shame a woman producer squandered such a strong cast of funny women on such thin gruel.
The original 'Miranda' was no big deal in the first place, but the addition of Glynis Johns' legs in Technicolor doesn't begin to atone for the primly dreary script; and that dreadful song, sung THREE times!! (And how does she manage to use an old-fashioned microphone with a long lead when up to her elbows in water without getting electrocuted?)
The original 'Miranda' was no big deal in the first place, but the addition of Glynis Johns' legs in Technicolor doesn't begin to atone for the primly dreary script; and that dreadful song, sung THREE times!! (And how does she manage to use an old-fashioned microphone with a long lead when up to her elbows in water without getting electrocuted?)
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