THE MOUSE ON THE MOON

The Mouse That Roared (1955) rises again from the Duchy of Grand Fenwick -- this time to effect a lunar landing which maintains, with unique effortlessness, the balance of power in the East-West competitive conflict. Spurred by the Count of Mountjoy who wants proper plumbing for the kingdom and a (Russian) sable coat for Her Grace, and by Dr. Kokintz' observations on the potentials of a new source of energy when iron filings and the noble Pinot wine are combined, a loan from the U.S. is arranged. The world is not interested in the homemade rocket whose pad is a castle turret, or in the unheralded take-off. Kokintz and Mountjoy's son plant Fenwick's flag on the moon, claim it for the duchy, give permission to American and Russian astronauts (whose countries have speeded up their blast offs to ""render assistance"" to Grand Fenwick) to land -- and depart, and, through the documents they have had signed, prove their achievement to the world on their return home. Emollient spoofing, this counts down on the space race and upgrades the power of small nations. Pleasing -- unpresumptuous.