Miranda (1949)

Very well executed

Good concept, poorly executed.

Absolutely the worst movie.

Absolutely Brilliant!

Copyright 14 April 1948 by Gainsborough Pictures Ltd. Presented by J. Arthur Rank. U.S. release through Eagle Lion Films: 16 March 1949 (sic). New York opening at the Little Carnegie: 23 April 1949. U.K. release through General Film Distributors: 23 May 1948. Australian release through G-B-D and 20th Century-Fox: 1 September 1949 (sic). 7,208 feet. 80 minutes.SYNOPSIS: A London doctor on a fishing holiday in Cornwall is caught by a mermaid who forces him to take her back to his home. COMMENT: Stretched rather thin over 80 minutes, this one-joke domestic farce holds the interest chiefly because of the charming performance by Glynis Johns in the title role. You could almost say it's the part she was born to play (and certainly it's the role for which she is most remembered today). Her distinctively husky voice and her oddly beguiling manner seem both eminently suited for a mermaid. (So great was her success in fact that she followed up with a sequel in 1954: "Mad About Men"). Mind you, she has her work cut out for her here as the rest of the players are so weak. With the exception of Margaret Rutherford, of course (though hers is distinctly a supporting role). And we should also except David Tomlinson. He is supposed to be weak. But as for Griffith Jones' boringly lackluster medico, Googie Withers' tediously arch matron-of-the-house and John McCallum's daunting miscasting, the less said the better.Annakin's direction is not only ruthlessly routine, but unmercifully slow.ANOTHER VIEW: Stupefyingly dull, one-joke romantic comedy. Dramatist Blackmore had a promising idea, but failed to develop it along any but the most conventional lines. And as if, thanks to its stage play origins, the script were not already talky enough, the producers hired a Dennis Waldock (never heard of him) to write "additional dialogue"! Admittedly interest perks up when Margaret Rutherford enters. Her characteristic role as an eccentric nurse would appear to offer plenty of comic potential, but simply nothing happens. The part peters out. After exchanging a slight bit of banter with real-life husband Stringer Davis (his usual stiff self as a museum attendant), she is virtually dropped from the action completely. Jones as usual is a complete wash-out as a romantic lead. One's only consolation is that his next movie with Withers "Once Upon a Dream" is even worse. The other players are okay, though the acting as a whole is no great shakes. The script as said above is dull, whilst Annakin's direction is the flattest, most monotonously routine we have encountered for some time. Other credits are competent but totally undistinguished. Production values are very moderate. That the movie proved such an outstanding hit at the box=office must be attributed solely to the novelty of the story and an expensive, cleverly designed advertising campaign.

While out fishing, Dr. Paul Martin is himself caught by a mermaid by the name of Miranda. She brings him to her undersea cave, agreeing to release him only in exchange for a trip to London as his "patient". It is made clear early on that Miranda and men find each other irresistible, and she quickly adds the chauffeur and the fiancé of Paul's neighbor to her list of conquests. This causes more than a little consternation among their respective women, whose pity turns to jealous anger over their eagerness to carry and otherwise indulge the wheelchair-bound Miranda. Since Miranda sleeps in a tub of cold water at night, and her diet consists almost exclusively of raw fish, it's only a matter of time before her secret is revealed (one hilarious clue is that she treats the goldfish bowl as sort of a candy dish). Glynis Johns is utterly charming as Miranda, and Googie Withers is excellent as Paul's ultimately understanding wife. Despite the improbable premise, one can't help but be drawn into this very funny film. And don't miss the scene at the very end, which may leave more questions asked than answered.

Risque to say the least for this post war British comedy with a twist in the tail - quite literally. Glynis Johns is the delightful mermaid with a penchant for young men - wooing them with her charm alone. Interesting in part for its treatment of 'disabled' people as Miranda is treated as such throughout. Googie Withers is great as the harassed wife while Margaret Rutherford sparkles in a relatively small role - but at least she gets to dance. Of everyone, David Tomlinson is perhaps the most comical as a lovesick young butler and that really is Maurice Denham as the fish salesman. Acceptable but not for all.

This film about an Englishman on holiday, fishing in the sea and catching, or rather being caught by, a mermaid, may not rank high on the critics lists, but I love it. I used to see it occasionally on the late show many years ago. It probably has not been aired in over 25 years. This movie is not to be confused with another mermaid movie from 1948 called Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid. One wonders which film came first, and if one film was influenced by the other. The plots are roughly similar, although the themes differ. Miranda was followed six years later with a color sequel called Mad about Men (1954) which I only saw once on the late show over 30 years ago. Hopefully, someday these films will see the light of day.