Mr. Drake's Duck Poster

Mr. Drake's Duck 1951

★ 5.33 votes85 min📅 1951-09-21

"The hilarious story of the duck that lays ATOMIC eggs!"

Set in the quaint countryside of Sussex, *Mr. Drake's Duck (1951)* follows the quiet life of a seemingly ordinary farmer whose quiet routine is upended by atomic chaos.

Director: Val Guest

Cast

Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
Donald 'Don' Drake
Yolande Donlan
Yolande Donlan
Penny Drake
Jon Pertwee
Jon Pertwee
Reuben
Wilfrid Hyde-White
Wilfrid Hyde-White
Mr. May
Reginald Beckwith
Reginald Beckwith
Mr. Boothby
Howard Marion-Crawford
Howard Marion-Crawford
Maj. Travers
Peter Butterworth
Peter Butterworth
Higgins
A.E. Matthews
A.E. Matthews
Brig. Matthews

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mr. Drake's Duck (1951) about?

This 1951 British comedy follows a peaceful farmer whose tranquil life is shattered when one of his ducks lays an egg made of uranium. What begins as a quiet rural story spirals into a farcical chase as the government races to recover the radioactive anomaly before it causes a national incident.

Who directed Mr. Drake's Duck?

Val Guest, known for his work in both comedy and sci-fi, directed *Mr. Drake's Duck*, blending humor with a touch of Cold War-era tension.

Who stars in Mr. Drake's Duck?

The film features Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Yolande Donlan, Jon Pertwee, Wilfrid Hyde-White, and Reginald Beckwith in key roles.

Is Mr. Drake's Duck (1951) worth watching?

Though unrated on IMDb, this quirky sci-fi comedy offers a fun mix of humor and light suspense, making it a solid pick for fans of vintageBritish comedies and offbeat sci-fi. Its charm lies in its absurd premise and the chemistry of its cast.

How long is Mr. Drake's Duck?

The film runs for 85 minutes.

About Mr. Drake's Duck (1951) — A hilarious sci-fi comedy with a radioactive duck at its heart

Set in the quaint countryside of Sussex, *Mr. Drake's Duck (1951)* follows the quiet life of a seemingly ordinary farmer whose quiet routine is upended by atomic chaos. When his unsuspecting duck lays a glowing uranium egg, the idyllic farm becomes the center of a frantic government hunt. Directed by the versatile Val Guest, this zany Cold War-era comedy blends madcap humor with a dash of sci-fi paranoia, offering a lighthearted yet surprisingly tense take on the era's nuclear anxieties. With a charming mix of slapstick and satire, the film delivers laughs alongside a playful critique of bureaucracy and Cold War hysteria.

Starring screen legend Douglas Fairbanks Jr. alongside the delightful Yolande Donlan and a scene-stealing Jon Pertwee, the movie balances wit and whimsy against a backdrop of escalating absurdity. The result is a cult gem that's equal parts nostalgic fun and oddball sci-fi adventure—a perfect pick for fans of retro comedy with a twist of the bizarre.