MartinHafer
While I'll admit that "Make Mine Mink" starts off a bit slowly (especially since the opening song is VERY annoying), as the film progresses, it becomes quite original and funny. The film is set in a boarding house in Britain. At first, the viewer thinks the film is about the servant, Lily, as you learn that she's an ex-con who is trying very hard to turn over a new leaf. However, the film blind-sided me, as the three boarders and the lady of the house, all respectable folks, decide, on a lark, to steal mink coats from a local store! They find it exhilarating and cannot stop--and they soon begin pulling one job after another. It's actually amazing that they are as successful as they are, as the quartet are made up of some serious bumblers--and there is where the comedy is at its best. I could say more but think it's a film you just need to see for yourself. Suffice to say that the film must be funny if Terry-Thomas ISN'T the funniest cast member!
U.N. Owen
I begin this by turning first to a review by BARLEEKU, who called this film a 'rarity' back in'05. I also have very similar relation to this film, having grown up in NYC, and - like him - seeing MAKE MINE MINK, on our local Channel 9's late night movie.I'd not seen this film in many years. I only had bits of memories of this film. For me, time has made it better, as, having recently got hold of a copy (which, for some reason, is very hard to do, here in the states). Back then, I remember (as well as a kid can) there was a whole gay humor subtext. Having seen the film now, I can appreciate it so much more.Two of my favorite actors - Hattie Jacques (pronounced 'Jakes') portrays the full figured Nanette Parry - who gives a slight lecherous look as she gives young debs etiquette lessons, and the MARVELOUS Kenneth Williams, as Freddie Warrington, the fence. For those who don't know much about these two great actors, they both costarred in many of the CARRY ON films, with Jacques usually playing a 'matron' character, and Williams, as an effete. Williams had previously done incredible work in a BBC radio show, ROUND THE HORNE, in which he and Hugh Paddick played Julian and Sandy - two (ahem!) chorus boys, who spoke in the slang speak of Palori, as, homosexuality itself was illegal in the UK until '67, so, for those 'in-the-know' listeners, it gave a whole other level to the action.Here, Williams (whose voice/dialect work is legendary) is the 'fence' for a bunch of old women (and one man, the terrific Terry-Thomas), who steal furs - for charity.I must also say how much I love Athene Seyler - who plays Dame Beatrice Appleby, whose apartment all the rest live in. As was pointed out elsewhere, she was the oldest cast member, and outlived them all (she passed away at age 101 in 1990. Bravo! (I recommend you see her tell a story about a hat on YouTube - extremely funny, and she was much older than she was here).This film hearkens back to a lost time, and a very specific type of film we'll not again - the caper films, such as The Ladykillers (the original NOT the remake). It also throws a light on the legendary Rank Films, from which sprung so many of the UK's best and brightest talent.Several people have commented how they felt this story didn't 'hold up.' I disagree - wholeheartedly.Just as Shakespeare's stories have 'held up,' or, Gone With The Wind can STILL bring grown men to tears, so does 'funny.' It might not be the type of humour the commenter likes, or understands, but, that does not mean funny isn't funny.I'm NOT comparing Make Mine Mink with those 2, directly, but, things which move a person - no matter which way - sad, happy, etc., that does not change. As for the commenter who found certain aspects 'unbelievable,' I'm always amazed; why do those types even GO to see a film, which is all about escape? (I'll even go so far as to say it reminds me of someone who saw The Spy WhoLoved Me. Nothing in the film - none of the daredevil, UNrealistic situations, or such bothered this person - except, the white Lotus - ONLY when it drove up on shore. They actually quibbled NOT about the car turning into a sub, but, that it could then manage to survive AND then be drivable. I laughed at this person - YES, this is a true story - because, the point is, 'enjoy the film, and don't strain your brain). In this caper film, the fur stealing, is irrelevant. It's a joy to see these actors - and the rest of the cast perform.As it's over six years since BARLEEKU wrote his review (where he wondered if seeing MAKE MINE MINK all these years later, would it still hold up - I have to say 'yes.'The film, which was based on the book BREATH OF SPRING, by Peter Coke, was turned into the Broadway musical 70, Girls, 70, by Kander and Ebb.
Spikeopath
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
tedg
I liked this. I suggest you reserve it for a time when you want something that isn't much work in viewing (which means that 1960 is about the latest you can consider).The structure is a familiar one: we watch a bunch of actors portraying unlikely characters who themselves play unlikely characters precisely as far away. The joke of course is in the overlap, and the competence of the first contrasted with the incompetence of the second. Its all about coats and appropriation.There's an interesting performer here, one I haven't seen before. She plays a painfully reserved spinster who's occupation is mending broken china. Her character, Pinkie, is immensely inept and most of the polished humor (this was a successful stage play) is hers. We are introduced to her when the silly major breaks in on her bath because she has extended into his time. This is moments after having the first long segment of the movie linger on the sexy, pretty maid. And we see a naked skinny old maid in the bath. The major is retired from his duty as commander of "portable baths."That's the attention to detail you'll find in how this humor is constructed.Anyway, Pinkie (with the wonderful name of Elspeth Duxbury) only lived a few years after this. Too bad.Ted's Evaluation -- 3 of 3: Worth watching.
