The Cool Mikado

'The Cool Mikado' may not be a film for purists but you have to admire the young Michael Winner for having had the sheer nerve to have attempted a screen version of Gilbert & Sullivan's light opera, and you watch it in a state of mounting suspense wondering if he will actually keep it up to the finale (when Dennis Price finally puts in an appearance).

Unlike most of his earlier films whose distinguishing features were their energetic use of locations and breakneck cutting, this time he confined his activities to a small soundstage at Shepperton with a special effects budget so minuscule the results verged on the surreal.

Frankie Howard considered this film the low point of his career, but he always wore that baleful expression. Tommy Cooper looks completely bemused as usual; and it boasts the distinction - if you can call it that - of being the only film to feature both Mike & Bernie Winters together (the former bizarrely obviously dubbed with an American accent) and Lionel Blair performing the Tit Willow Twist to the accompaniment of the John Barry Seven.

Stubby Kaye in the title role shows every sign of enjoying himself, and you probably will do too.