The Smallest Show On Earth Reviews

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!

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.

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 Cinema in the 50's and 60's with the decline of the privately owned picture houses by them being put out of business by the larger more modern cinemas of the circuit.

Margaret Rutherford, Peter Sellars and Bernard Miles give splendid performances as 'The Bijou's' staff and Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers have a steep learning curve as the reluctant new owners of the run down cinema left in a will to them.

But they make a profit - even if it is a only a dozen eggs and a pound of bacon in place of entrance ticket money!

And they also take more in ice cream sales by turning up the central heating than they do at the box office!

If you missed this when it was first shown or when it was on TV it is a little gem not to be missed again!

See it - you will not be disappointed!

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 insight for those who are too young to remember those days when the film would regularly break in the middle or sound track and picture would suddenly part company. If you ever wonder what used to go on in the projection room, this film will show you (and it's scary!) But apart from this, it's a well-written, well-cast and well-played film. The aged staff of the old cinema are not played for laughs but portrayed as genuine, fully-formed characters who win our sympathy even as we smile at their foibles. The ending is appropriate and satisfactory. Even the teenager in this household liked this film, despite the fact it's in black and white.

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.

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 if you recognise him. "What Larks! Pip Old Chap". Sellers torn between the bottle and his duty was a joy to behold. Mrs Fitzakerly still mourning the loss of her employer and lover! Excellent.

I even liked the young couple who were fighting for the flea pit in the end! The often underated and extremely long lived Leslie Phillips was on form as well!

So top marks for this full length feature. Held over for another week by popular demand! I'll have a Ki-ora and a choc-ice please miss!

Recommended.

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 however it is comical and has a feel good factor. It is a good film for it's time. This is a Saturday afternoon film with the fire on and a cup of soup.

[Highly rated reviewer]

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 brown paper bag, earns praise. All the scenes with Sellers, Miles and Rutherford are stand outs. A must buy.

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 and going into competition with a nearby mega-cinema in the hope of attracting an offer from the larger cinema to purchase the business (which the inheriting couple didn't really want). The plot when discovered by their haphazard staff causes much upset and a series of upsetting (comedic) events then follows. Excellent performances are given by amongst others: Margaret Rutherford; Peter Sellers and Leslie Philips

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. Glad I did....simply superb oldie movie.