MAKE MINE MINK (1960) Movie on DVD

MAKE MINE MINK (1960) — DVD | Terry-Thomas | Hattie Jacques | Athene Seyler | Billie Whitelaw | B&W

Stealing for charity. What could possibly go wrong?

One of the crown jewels of British comedy, Make Mine Mink is a wonderfully daft caper film from 1960 that has charmed every audience lucky enough to stumble across it — and left them reaching for it again and again.

When Lily, a maid at Dame Beatrice’s boarding house, steals a mink coat to give to Beatrice, the other residents organize to return the coat and save Lily from arrest. However, the excitement proves to be a thrilling change from their otherwise boring lives — and they decide to start stealing coats for charity purposes. Major Rayne leads the otherwise all-female group of unlikely thieves: Nanette, the scatter-brained Pinkie, and Dame Beatrice herself. Rotten Tomatoes

The robberies are masterminded by the Major, who calls on his military experience to plan each heist, complete with all manner of disguises. Because the gang has no police records, they rob shops and gambling joints right under the cops’ noses. IMDb Meanwhile, a subplot follows Dame Bea’s maid, who has a prison record, as she falls for a cop — making the gang’s capers all the more precarious. IMDb

Terry-Thomas is revelling in being the sole male actor in the core group, and Hattie Jacques lights up the screen regularly. But it’s Elspeth Duxbury’s movie all the way — as Pinkie she runs everywhere, forgets everything, and has all her co-criminals constantly in despair. It’s a truly joyous turn that has become a highlight for anyone who sees it. IMDb

There’s such a combination of comedy, sweetness, surprise, and intelligence in this movie that it sticks with you for a long time. The smart underplaying of the comedy makes it a rarity in more ways than one — a real treasure and one of the best comedies ever made. Movie Buffs Forever

A light-hearted farcical comedy made in the days of innocent and harmless fun, with mild innuendos thrown in. Put your feet up, have a cup of tea, and immerse yourself in black-and-white 1960s nostalgia. eBay

Hard to find in a clean copy outside of import editions — a must for fans of classic British comedy and the incomparable Terry-Thomas.

Format: DVD | Black & White | NTSC | English Genre: Comedy / Caper Runtime: 100 minutes Director: Robert Asher

Format: DVD | Color | NTSC | English Dolby Digital 5.1 Genre: Comedy / Romance Runtime: 81 minutes | Rated PG-13 Director: David Beaird