The Moviegoer

Once again the English have succeeded in turning one joke into an amusing though plotless movie. Although the English are undoubtedly not the world's greatest humorists, they are the masters of the drawing room titter, a talent which is fully exploited in "Tight Little Island."

The introduction of the joke at the beginning of the movie is its funniest part. An atmosphere of disaster grips the small island of Todday in the Hebrides: old men stare blankly, seeing no future in their lives, young men walk glumly through the streets, and children huddle in dark corners. Why has life on Todday become so sad? Because on all the island there is no whiskey! The plight of Scotsmen without their whiskey is dragged out to its fullest.

The Todday situation becomes tense when a boat is wrecked on the island with a cargo of several hundred cases of guess what? Unfortunately, the wreek occurs on the Sabbath; the thirsty Scots must wait until midnight to recover the liquour. Meanwhile, Captain Waggett of the Home Guard decides it is his duty to protect the cargo from being stolen. Through numerous wiles the islanders evade the Captain's grasp.

Alexander Mackendrick's direction is responsible for the success of the farce. He keeps all the characters moving with complete sincerity throughout the outlandish situation. Basil Radford's portrayal of the consistently thick-headed Waggett is also very good. The rest of the cast succeed in creating a background of pleasant Scottish folk.

"Tight Little Island" is entirely a comedy of a situation. That situation will handled, is ridiculous enough to make an amusing movie.