Case of the Mukkinese Battle-Horn, The (1956)

The only film to stem directly from The Goon Show (1952’s dire Down Among the Z Men was filmed early in the Goons’ career before many of the show’s recurring characters were created), this crazy half-hour features characters such as Nodule, Eccles and Superintendent Quilt, plus the immortal old duffers Minnie and Henry Crun, with Peter Sellers and Spike Milligan each in several different roles.

Sellers is Scotland Yard’s ace detective, Superintendent Quilt, with Spike as his devoted assistant, Sgt. Brown. The incompetent duo are assigned to investigate the disappearance of the fabulously rare Mukkinese Battle Horn from a museum.

Harry Secombe and Michael Bentine are absent, but Dick Emery appears in his film debut.

Made at Merton Park Studios for just £4,500, it’s not as funny as the radio scripts, but it’s full of sight gags and inspired puns.

Narrator / Supt. Quilt / Asst. Commissioner Sir Jervis Fruit / Henry Crun
Peter Sellers
Sgt. Brown / Eccles / Catchpole Burkington / Minnie Bannister (voice)
Spike Milligan
Mr Nodule / Mr Crimp / Mr Such / Maurice Ponke
Dick Emery
Girl
Pamela Thomas
Announcer
Bill Hepper
Policeman
Wally Thomas
Claggett
Gordon Phillott

Director
Joseph Sterling