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The Smallest Show On Earth Reviews

1957

70
from 684 members

The Smallest Show on Earth is a gentle, frequently uproarious takeoff of Britain's neighbourhood-cinema industry. Real-life husband and wife Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna star as Matt and Jean Spencer, a middle-class couple who inherit a decrepit movie house in a tiny railroad whistle stop. They also inherit the theater's .. Read more

Starring	Bill Travers, Virginia McKenna, Leslie Phillips, Peter Sellers
Director	Basil Dearden
Genres	Comedy

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Most helpful member's review of The Smallest Show On Earth
View all members' reviews (12)
- - 7
  - 0
  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 ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 20579
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - a customer
  - Rowlands gill
  - 04 Oct 2004 at 22:49
Most recent members' reviews of The Smallest Show On Earth
View all members' reviews (12)
- - 0
  - 0
  The Smallest Show On Earth
  
  The reviewer above who complained about the quality of the transfer to DVD is absolutely right - it's so bad, it's unwatchable. The picture quality is ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 919561
- - a customer
  - The frozen north
  - 31 Aug 2010 at 13:26
- - 1
  - 0
  Couldn't watch this
  
  The quality was simply not worth transferring to DVD - it really is abyssmal. I watched a few minutes before giving up, they must have a better print than this ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 839440
- - leithlynx
  - 1 review
  - Edinburgh
  - 13 Dec 2009 at 13:31
- - 0
  - 0
  Lovely classic B&W film
  
  Caught some of this on tv one afternoon, was interesting and funny, not to mention charming. However I decided to hire this as I'd missed some of the movie... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 622535
- - a customer
  - East Anglia
  - 01 Sep 2008 at 20:10
- - 0
  - 0
  Customer Review
  
  This is a well crafted film, boasting teriffic atmosphere and a cracking cast. The story involves a young couple inheriting a small, run-down provincial cinema ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 579543
- - a customer
  - UK
  - 23 Jun 2008 at 15:22
- - 0
  - 0
  Class!
  
  They don't make them like this anymore. Totally enjoyable and heart-warming. Even Bill Travers, who i used to think couldn't act his way out of a ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 570575
- - Sleepystujam
  - 51 reviews
  - Edinburgh
  - 30 May 2008 at 13:04
- - 0
  - 0
  One for a cloudy Saturday Afternoon
  
  I wanted to watch this film as I remember it from many years ago and I am a fan of Peter Sellars and Margaret Rutherford. It wasn't as good as I remembered ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 470627
- - a customer
  - Leicestershire
  - 31 Aug 2007 at 09:57
- - 0
  - 0
  Vintage Black and White Movie
  
  I like all Margaret Rutherford films and this one is just as good as the rest. Typical vintage black and white movie, a good sunday afternoon viewing.
  
  Report this review
- 191964
- - a customer
  - North Finchley, London.
  - 10 Jan 2006 at 14:28
- - 1
  - 0
  Comic and thoughtful
  
  'The Smallest Show on Earth' is delightful nostalgia for those of us who can remember Saturdays at the local flea-pit, and a fascinating historical ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 113676
- - a customer
  - Cardiff, Wales
  - 13 Jun 2005 at 10:35
- - 0
  - 0
  Showing Now in your front room!
  
  This little cinema gem from the 1950's is a simple and uplifiting tale. Some great peformances from a super cast. I particulary liked crafty old Tom. See ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 324998
- - SolarvanMan
  - 103 reviews
  - Thirsk
  - 28 Feb 2005 at 14:52
- - 2
  - 0
  A great little show!!
  
  This is British Cinema at it's best. Great plot, great cast and a well produced piece of cinema.
  
  The story reflects the situation of the British ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 58498
- - Barrie Machin
  - Reading England
  - 10 Dec 2004 at 17:37
View all members' reviews (12)

- - 7
  - 0
  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 ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 20579
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - a customer
  - Rowlands gill
  - 04 Oct 2004 at 22:49
- - 3
  - 0
  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 ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 314784
- - zack33uk
  - MID GLAMORGAN
  - 22 Nov 2004 at 19:46
- - 2
  - 0
  A great little show!!
  
  This is British Cinema at it's best. Great plot, great cast and a well produced piece of cinema.
  
  The story reflects the situation of the British ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 58498
- - Barrie Machin
  - Reading England
  - 10 Dec 2004 at 17:37
- - 1
  - 0
  Comic and thoughtful
  
  'The Smallest Show on Earth' is delightful nostalgia for those of us who can remember Saturdays at the local flea-pit, and a fascinating historical ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 113676
- - a customer
  - Cardiff, Wales
  - 13 Jun 2005 at 10:35
- - 1
  - 0
  Couldn't watch this
  
  The quality was simply not worth transferring to DVD - it really is abyssmal. I watched a few minutes before giving up, they must have a better print than this ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 839440
- - leithlynx
  - 1 review
  - Edinburgh
  - 13 Dec 2009 at 13:31
- - 0
  - 0
  Vintage Black and White Movie
  
  I like all Margaret Rutherford films and this one is just as good as the rest. Typical vintage black and white movie, a good sunday afternoon viewing.
  
  Report this review
- 191964
- - a customer
  - North Finchley, London.
  - 10 Jan 2006 at 14:28
- - 0
  - 0
  Showing Now in your front room!
  
  This little cinema gem from the 1950's is a simple and uplifiting tale. Some great peformances from a super cast. I particulary liked crafty old Tom. See ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 324998
- - SolarvanMan
  - 103 reviews
  - Thirsk
  - 28 Feb 2005 at 14:52
- - 0
  - 0
  One for a cloudy Saturday Afternoon
  
  I wanted to watch this film as I remember it from many years ago and I am a fan of Peter Sellars and Margaret Rutherford. It wasn't as good as I remembered ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 470627
- - a customer
  - Leicestershire
  - 31 Aug 2007 at 09:57
- - 0
  - 0
  Class!
  
  They don't make them like this anymore. Totally enjoyable and heart-warming. Even Bill Travers, who i used to think couldn't act his way out of a ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 570575
- - Sleepystujam
  - 51 reviews
  - Edinburgh
  - 30 May 2008 at 13:04
- - 0
  - 0
  Customer Review
  
  This is a well crafted film, boasting teriffic atmosphere and a cracking cast. The story involves a young couple inheriting a small, run-down provincial cinema ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 579543
- - a customer
  - UK
  - 23 Jun 2008 at 15:22

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