Where Has Poor Mickey Gone?

Where has poor Mickey gone? That is the question, apart from the first on screen appearance from John Challis and a wonderful performance from Warren Mitchell there's very little to write about in this film. Oh yes there is, Otillie Paterson singing the theme song about " poor Mickey" her performance is unique in that I've never ever seen this performer on screen before, picture Kathy Kirby singing a jazz blues number and you'll get the idea. As for the film, it's a somewhat dated curio and well worth watch, sadly it will be forgotten just like the whereabouts of poor Mickey. Actually Mickey is Mick whose the leader of the gang of hoodlums, but Mickey sounds better than Mick I guess. Ps This is the sort of play that Pemberton and Shearsmith do with Inside#9 only better. PPS Thanks to the wonderful Talking Pictures for showing this, even the duds are worth a viewing.

As befits such a quizzical title like ships that pass in the night the paths of Alf Garnett and Boysie crossed in this fanciful little oddity that probably qualifies as an early home invasion film.

What follows promises to be a fairly commonplace tale of a bunch of yobbos victimising a senior citizen; but when one of the intruders curiosity gets the better of him the film changes gears and the tables are turned as the boys discover themselves well out their depth.

The ambiguous ending when it comes will have you wondering what on earth just you've just been watching and frankly my dear I'm as in the dark as you are.

WHERE HAS POOR MICKEY GONE? is an obscure little potboiler, obviously made on a very tight budget and set in just one location for the most part. It's notable for featuring a couple of TV favourites in the years before they came to fame, plus managing the tricky task of juggling both the thriller and horror genres. The story is about a group of juvenile delinquents - shades of THE BOYS - who go around town committing crime everywhere they go. They end up in a magician's shop, where they tie the magician to a chair before brutalising and tormenting him. However, there's a twist in store.

if I'm honest, WHERE HAS POOR MICKEY GONE? feels a bit dragged out at feature length. The plot reminded me a little of the Curd Jurgens segment from the Amicus anthology VAULT OF HORROR. It's very tame - U certificate, in fact - by modern standards, and quite slow and talky. Occasionally there are missteps, such as a screeching bit on the soundtrack that seems to go on forever. However, appearances from an on-form Warren Mitchell (TILL DEATH US DO PART) and a youthful John Challis (Boycie in ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES) make it watchable, and the twist ending still sends a few chills down the spine even today.

Where Has Poor Mickey Gone? Was made at a time of rapid change in Britain. The old, post Victorian world was fading under the assault from the 'demob' generation, now free to build their lives and apply what they had learned from overseas postings and contact with US culture. This is exemplified by Ottilie Patterson, who wrote and performed the powerful title and credits song. She was born in Norther Ireland to an Irish father and a Latvian mother, who had met in Georgia during the war.

Watching this film on Talking Pictures, I was struck by the visual, as well as textural, resemblance to A Clockwork Orange. In particular, Mick himself, with his signature hat and pointy nose, looks so much like Alex, and acts so much like him I can't believe it is a coincidence. The book had been published two years before Where Has Poor Mickey Gone? Came out, so it is quite possible that it was inspired by, if not based on, Bradbury's novel. Stanley Kubrick's film was a decade in the future, but the parallels are such that there must have been an influence. I never rely on "must have", but it would be worth pursuing for a film academic.

Four drunks stumble upon a magic shop with a difference .... starts a little slow , but gradually the story unfolds and there is a twist at the end. Well worth watching , if only to see Warren Mitchell deliver another convincing role. John Malcolm reminded me of a young Harry H Corbett , in fact I was convinced it was him and had to wait for the end of the film to check the credits.