Make Mine Mink (1960)

Zany collection of misfits led by aging military man (Terry-Thomas) go on a spree of robbing mink coats. An unlikely trio of women (Athene Seyler, Hattie Jacques, and Elspeth Duxbury) find ... See full summary »

Director:

Robert Asher

Writers:

Peter Coke (play), Michael Pertwee (screenplay)

Stars:

Terry-Thomas, Athene Seyler, Hattie Jacques

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Terry-Thomas	...	Major Rayne
Athene Seyler	...	Dame Beatrice
Hattie Jacques	...	Nanette Parry
Billie Whitelaw	...	Lily
Elspeth Duxbury	...	Pinkie
Jack Hedley	...	Jim Benham
Raymond Huntley	...	Inspector Pape
Kenneth Williams	...	Freddie Warrington
Noel Purcell	...	Burglar
Irene Handl	...	Madame Spolinski
Sydney Tafler	...	Spanager
Joan Heal	...	Mrs. Spanager
Penny Morrell	...	Gertrude
Freddie Frinton	...	Drunk
Michael Balfour	...	Rowson's Butler

Storyline

Zany collection of misfits led by aging military man (Terry-Thomas) go on a spree of robbing mink coats. An unlikely trio of women (Athene Seyler, Hattie Jacques, and Elspeth Duxbury) find new reasons to live ... until their housekeeper (Billie Whitelaw), an ex-con is suspected of the robberies.

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Plot Keywords:

robbery | mink coat | fence | farce | alliteration in title | 

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Taglines:

A Jolly Good Show Indeed

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 February 1961 (Finland)

Also Known As:

Ein Nerz an der Angel

Filming Locations:

Hampstead Heath, Hampstead, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Rank Organisation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min (1964) (re-release)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Of all the cast, the ones who lived longest, were Billie Whitelaw and Athene Seyler. Sadly, Terry-Thomas, Hattie Jacques, Kenneth Williams, and Elspeth Duxbury had all passed away - Ms. Duxbury passing away the earliest, 1967.

Ms. Seyler - who was the oldest cast member - passed away in '91, and Ms. Whitelaw passed away in 2014.

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Quotes

Major Albert Rayne: [ogling Lily as she walks away] Why does she walk like that?
Nanette Parry: [aside] Can't think.

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Crazy Credits

During the opening credits, a talking, animated mink introduces the film.

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Connections

Referenced in Kate & Allie: Make Mine Mink (1985)

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Soundtracks

The Third Man Theme
(uncredited)
Written by Anton Karas

User Reviews

A gem of post-war comedy Britain.

Make Mine Mink is based on Peter Coke's West End play Breath Of Spring. The story centres around a group of odd-ball amateurs, who led by their aging landlady Dame Beatrice Appleby {Athene Seyler}, venture into crime by way of stealing valuable fur coats and then giving the proceeds from their crimes to charity. Joining the eccentric Dame is a has-been military officer {Terry-Thomas}, a larger than life etiquette instructor {Hattie Jacques} and a batty china mender {Elspeth Duxbury}. Oddly, and crucial to the plot of course, the house keeper is an ex-convict {sexy Billie Whitelaw} who is not involved. Just as well since her boyfriend is a Copper! This sets us up for a number of delightful sequences as our "crims" blunder into one caper after another, whilst trying to avoid capture by the increasingly baffled police force. The film even has time to homage The Third Man in one particularly funny scene as Thomas' Major Rayne goes in search of a "fence" for their ill gotten gains.

There are so many great things about Make Mine Mink, but what stands out the most is that it's a testament to what good writing and a quality cast can do for a basic premise. More known for being the director of film's starring that bastion of Jerry Lewis a like British comedy, Norman Wisdom, Robert Asher keeps it simple and lets the cast run with the material. The pace never lets up and there is not one sign of filler or awkward padding. Thomas is revelling in being the sole male actor in the core group and both Jacques and Seyler light up the screen regularly {look out for an hilarious smoke bomb moment from Jacques}. But it's Duxbury's movie all the way, a relative unknown with only 7 acting credits to her name {she passed away in 1967}, Duxbury gives a performance of such high comedic quality, this film becomes a fitting and lasting legacy to her name. As Pinkie she runs everywhere, forgets everything and has all her co-criminals constantly in despair. It's a truly joyous turn that for me personally has become a highlight of my viewings this year.

Available on Region 2 DVD, and part of the wonderful Terry-Thomas Box Set, Make Mine Mink should hopefully now start getting more exposure. It deserves it, a throwback to great British comedy days, and a film that's sure to have you grinning from ear to ear. 8.5/10