The Smallest Show On Earth
1957
In THE SMALLEST SHOW ON EARTH, a young British couple inherits a rundown theatre and tries to compete with the glorious movie palace next door. This comedy, starring Peter Sellers, features plenty of quirky characters. Read more
| Starring | Bill Travers, Virginia McKenna, Leslie Phillips, Peter Sellers |
|---|---|
| Director | Basil Dearden |
| Genres | Comedy |
loading...
The Smallest Show On Earth
In THE SMALLEST SHOW ON EARTH, a young British couple inherits a rundown theatre and tries to compete with the glorious movie palace next door. This comedy, starring Peter Sellers, features plenty of quirky characters.
| Starring | Bill Travers, Virginia McKenna, Leslie Phillips, Peter Sellers, Margaret Rutherford, Bernard Miles |
|---|---|
| Director | Basil Dearden |
| Studio | MOMENTUM PICTURES |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 17 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Comedy |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: not available Production year: 1957 |
| Format | DVD |
-
Critics' reviews (3)
View all -
In praise of fleapits everywhere, this charming comedy will bring back happy memories for anyone who pines for the days when going to the pictures meant something more than being conveyor-belted in and out of a soulless multiplex. Fondly scripted by John Eldridge and William Rose — the latter penned Genevieve and The Ladykillers — and deftly directed by Basil Dearden, it stars Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna as a couple who inherit a crumbling cinema. The cast alone makes the movie a must-see, and the sequence in which projectionist Peter Sellers, pianist Margaret Rutherford and doorman Bernard Miles relive the glories of the silent era is adorable.
-
Amiable caricature comedy with plenty of obvious jokes and a sentimental attachment to old cinemas but absolutely no conviction, little plot, and a very muddled sense of the line between farce and reality.
-
Most helpful member's review
View all -
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful
Lovely film ...lovely subject
This reminds me of Saturday afternoons when i was a kid,watching matinees
at my local cinema in Buxton.
This is only 90 minutes long but is well worth the watch and is about a run down cinema which on the death of the old owner is 'inherited'and tries to compete with a brand new complex down the road.
Fantastic cast...You will enjoy this! -
Most recent members' review
View all -
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
A forgotten Sellars classic.
This Peter Sellars movie is often overlooked by fans. Made in the days when sellars had not yet achieved top billing. He nevertheless steals the show as the projectionist of the flea pit cinema dubbed the smallest show on Earth.
Having been a projectionist myself for many years, I found much truth in the humour regarding rivalry amongst cinema operators. Check this one out.
You won't be disappointed. -
More like this
View allShowing 1 to 4 of 20
Related user collection
Underrated classics (50)
80% from 9 members
Buy from the LOVEFiLM shop
-
-
-
The Smallest Show On Earth
In THE SMALLEST SHOW ON EARTH, a young British couple inherits a rundown theatre and tries to compete with the glorious movie palace next door. This comedy, starring Peter Sellers, features plenty of quirky characters....
-