Rockets Galore!

Rockets Galore! (U.S. title: Mad Little Island) is a 1958 British comedy film directed by Michael Relph and starring Jeannie Carson, Donald Sinden and Roland Culver. It was written by Monja Danischewsky, adapted from the 1957 novel of the same title by Compton Mackenzie.

It was a sequel to Whisky Galore!, with Gordon Jackson, Jean Cadell and Catherine Lacey reprising their same roles from the earlier film.

In the Cold War era of post-Second World War Britain, the government decides to establish a guided missile base in Scotland. The German project leader Dr Hamburger proposes the best location is the Hebridean isle of Todday. The inhabitants are not happy with this disruption of their way of life, and hamper construction as much as they can. An RAF officer, sent to negotiate with the people, falls in love with Janet Macleod, the local schoolteacher and realises what the base would mean to the islanders. A delegation of scientists and air force personnel go to make a presentation to the islanders.

When a missile is launched from another Scottish site, the guidance system fails and the missile returns to the land, rather than out at sea. As it is technically on privately owned land, the islanders claim it and celebrate their 'victory' by dancing around the site. The RAF tries unsuccessfully to negotiate, but eventually abandons the base.

As a further impediment to the base the locals 'discover' a rare pink seagull that only nests on Todday (dyed pink by Janet). The government abandon the idea of the base.

Drooby goes to London for a TV programme with Richard Dimbleby to discuss the pink seagulls. A separate TV debate "Free Speech" then considers the issue of national security versus wildlife.

The gulls prove a tourist attraction and the hotel is renamed the Pink Gull Hotel. The next generation of gulls are born pink.

The film was made at Pinewood Studios with sets designed by the art director Jack Maxsted.