IMDb RATING
7.0/10
1.1K
YOUR RATING
A weird mix of social misfits and neighbors becomes a gang of thieves stealing mink coats in order to fund local charities.A weird mix of social misfits and neighbors becomes a gang of thieves stealing mink coats in order to fund local charities.A weird mix of social misfits and neighbors becomes a gang of thieves stealing mink coats in order to fund local charities.
Grace Arnold
- Orphanage Matron
- (uncredited)
Sheila Aza
- Casino Patron
- (uncredited)
William Baskiville
- Police Driver
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- Trivia"Make Mine Mink (1960)" (which was based on a book titled Breath of Spring), was the basis for the musical 70, Girls, 70, which ran on stage in both the West End and Broadway. During it's Broadway run, Mildred Natwick had the 'Dame Beatrice' (Athene Seyler) role, and Hans Conried had the 'Major Albert' (Terry-Thomas) role.
- Quotes
Lionel Spanager: [Speaking to his wife concerning his "barmy" mother-in-law] Why don't you put her to sleep?
[His wife looks shocked]
Lionel Spanager: I mean take her to bed!
- Crazy creditsMichael Balfour (Rowson's Butler) was listed only in the opening titles and was not included in the closing credits list.
- ConnectionsFeatured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Comedy Movies: 1960s (2014)
Featured review
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
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
helpful•171
- hitchcockthelegend
- Oct 1, 2009
- How long is Make Mine Mink?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Runtime1 hour 40 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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