When his toy motorcycle is missing, 8 year old "Keith" discovers it in the waste basket of his bedroom in the hotel where he and his family are staying. As he reaches for the toy, a tiny figure nips at his hand. There's delight on "Keith's" face and in his voice as he spots a small mouse next to his toy motorcycle. "Keith" wonders out loud if the mouse is responsible for his toy having been moved. When the mouse, (named Ralph) responds, verbally chiding "Keith" to finish his thought, "Keith" is amazed that the mouse can talk! With no other children living at the hotel or even in the neighborhood, and being an only child, "Keith" quickly strikes up a friendship with "Ralph" and allows the mouse to ride his toy motorcycle around the bedroom as well as out in the hall of the hotel, which is just the first of a few adventures for "Ralph".
This is a wonderful performance by the young featured actor, Philip Waller in the role of "Keith", who befriends the high-spirited mouse. This was Waller's first leading role in a made-for-tv movie, having been hand-picked by the film's director (Ron Underwood) who had spent months trying out scores of other young actors, including many who had previously played a lead role, but who were found to be unsuitable for the part.
The mechanical mouse used in the part of "Ralph" (there actually were a few used) is operated very clevorly, and with good editing and some nice voice work on the part of actor Evan Richards as the voice of "Ralph", (which was added after the filming was done), the result is a very clever and fun film. The young star, Philip Waller, as he filmed his scenes had to imagine much of his interaction with the mouse, of course, (which would be edited in later) for which Waller deserves a lot of credit, as he plays the part very believably, which is really what made this film work. A fun movie for all ages.
Philip Waller, aside from being seen in many commercials in the 80's, appeared as "Harry" in an episode of "Star Trek, The Next Generation", and as Geoffrey in a half dozen episodes of the tv series, "Beauty and The Beast".
