The Mouse on the Moon (1963)

A tiny country persuades the Americans and Soviets that they're starting a space program, when they really just want some money for new plumbing.

Director:

Richard Lester

Writers:

Leonard Wibberley (novel), Michael Pertwee (screenplay)

Stars:

Margaret Rutherford, Ron Moody, Bernard Cribbins

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Margaret Rutherford	...	Grand Duchess Gloriana XIII
Ron Moody	...	Prime Minister Rupert Mountjoy
Bernard Cribbins	...	Vincent Mountjoy
David Kossoff	...	Professor Kokintz
Terry-Thomas	...	Maurice Spender (as Terry Thomas)
June Ritchie	...	Cynthia
John Le Mesurier	...	British Delegate
John Phillips	...	Bracewell - U.S. Delegate
Eric Barker	...	M.I.5. Man
Roddy McMillan	...	Benter
Tom Aldredge	...	Wendover
Michael Trubshawe	...	British Aide
Peter Sallis	...	Russian Delegate
Clive Dunn	...	Bandleader
Hugh Lloyd	...	Plumber

Storyline

Sequel to The Mouse that Roared; The Tiny Country of Grand Fenwick has a hot water problem in the castle. To get the money necessary to put in a new set of plumbing, they request foreign aid from the U.S. for Space Research. The Russians then send aid as well to show that they too are for the internationalization of space. While the grand Duke is dreaming of hot baths, their one scientist is slapping together a rocket. The U.S. and Soviets get wind of the impending launch and try and beat them to the moon.

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Plot Keywords:

1960s | soviet union | united states | cold war | plumbing | 

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Taglines:

You'll roar at the further adventures of "The Mouse That Roared"

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

Russian English

Release Date:

17 June 1963 (USA)

Also Known As:

Auch die Kleinen wollen nach oben

Filming Locations:

Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walter Shenson Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although other characters from the earlier film appear (PM Rupert Mountjoy and his opposition leader Benter) David Kossoff, who played Kokintz, was the only principal cast member of The Mouse That Roared (1959) who returned to play the same role in this sequel.

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Goofs

At the beginning of the movie, as the guard falls, he is wearing a large fluffy black hat, commonly known as a busby, which then appears and disappears in each subsequent shot.

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Quotes

[repeated line]
Grand Duchess Gloriana XIII: It's that nasty tin thing again!

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Connections

Referenced in You Can't Do That! The Making of 'A Hard Day's Night' (1995)

User Reviews

RE: Good Sequel!

I disagree with the other critics who say this doesn't live up to the original. I think that even without Peter Sellers, that this sequel stands on its own two feet. The script was incredibly funny, from start to finish. There are so many nice touches by the screenwriter; it's hard to list them all. However, the touch of having the astronauts and cosmonauts being forced to return in the Fenwick rocketship - is just brilliant! The major drawback with this script is the lead's love interest, the blonde girl. She really feels like a fifth wheel throughout much of the film, and her subplot isn't dynamic enough. However, overall there are plenty of jokes strewn throughout the story, and the direction and editing is also spot-on.