Truly Dreadful Film

Absolutely the worst movie.

Watch something else. There are very few redeeming qualities to this film.

It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

(75%) The second movie (The magic box being the first) of a double feature presentation at the great Woolton cinema in Liverpool is weirdly a forgotten 1950's gem of a movie that anyone with at least some affection of old and increasingly scarce independent cinemas will absolutely love. Peter Sellers isn't the main focus of the movie, he's rather more a supporting role, but he's utterly fantastic as an old projectionist with a drink problem and he provides the best laughs. The plot is simple yet effective stuff, it's very well told as you really do want to know what's going to happen next; while the pacing never bogs down, and the comedy keeps on coming until the final reel. This really is a film I'd happily recommend to anyone and everyone, and is perfect for a wet Sunday afternoon.

Attractive "Born Free" couple Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers (as Jean and Matt Spenser) inherit a creaky, but functional old movie theater. Since they are having financial problems, they decide to manage the cinema. Crowds appear, despite broken reels and other mishaps. The most obvious joke is watching Peter Sellers, made-up as an old projectionist, work while a train makes the theater shake. Luckily, the train only runs once. The audiences in the "Bijou" had more fun than you will.**** The Smallest Show on Earth (4/9/57) Basil Dearden ~ Virginia McKenna, Bill Travers, Margaret Rutherford, Peter Sellers

The film begins with a young couple learning that they are the sole beneficiaries in a will for a relative they didn't know existed. Visions of great wealth and success dance in their minds, though it runs out all they really inherited was a broken down and debt-riddled old movie theater--along with three old people who work there. All is not lost, though, as they discover that a large and successful movie house nearby wants to buy their property. The problem is, since they know nothing about the business, the other theater is offering next to nothing to buy them out. So, to increase the value of their business, they decide to re-open the old place and thus force a better offer.While this movie DOES feature Peter Sellers as a supporting player, you should not rush out to see it because it's a "Peter Sellers Picture". That's because although he is in the film, you'd have a hard time noticing that this is the same Peter Sellers you're used to seeing, as his role is decidedly non-comedic. He is made up to look like a rumpled 60-something year-old man and he's fine in the role--but he is given nothing funny to say or do and Sellers plays the role very straight. Now this does not mean that this isn't an enjoyable film, though it's a very, very mild comedy with none of the silliness or quirkiness you might expect from a Sellers film.Don't expect the magic of an Ealing picture or a Sellers farce. This is just a cute little film about the foibles that develop as they try to make a go of it, though I must say the ending was pretty strange and didn't fit in well with the rest of the film. Decent acting and a likable but slight plot make it a nice little time-passer, but not a whole lot more.

Going to the cinema today is virtually a hands off experience.You can book your ticket online(don't even try to explain that to Miss Fazackerley)walk into a building the size (and with all the charm of)a missile silo,that contains a dozen screening rooms sited off long twisting passages,go to your numbered seat with a pre-ordered drink and watch in vain for that little dot in the corner of the screen that warned you of a reel change because there isn't going to be one.There won't be a second feature either and it will cost you the equivalent of a week's wages in 1957 for popcorn and orange juice for two. It won't be run by a charming young couple who address you by name and ask if you enjoyed the picture,and if you offered half a dozen eggs and a tub of home made butter as payment you'd soon be ringing for someone to raise your bail. This is our Brave New World.We have ended up with the cinemas we deserve. For those of you who wish it wasn't so let me present....."The Smallest Show on Earth". Have you noticed you never seem to see any really old people any more? What have they done with them?I'm 65 it might not be long before I get the knock on the door in the middle of the night. Back in 1957 old people could still walk the streets without looking over their shoulder for some member of the "Social Work Support Team" who might be waiting to throw them into an unmarked van. The three real stars of this film are all portraying really old people. They are not perpetually cheerful and whistling in all difficulties,they creak and groan and probably niff a bit but they are wonderfully and cantankerously alive.Miss Margaret Rutherford was,of course,completely potty and one of the best-loved characters in British film.As the cashier,Miss Fazackerley,she walks away with the movie. It is one of the great comedy performances,combining comedic brilliance with true compassion.All her bits of "business" are beautifully observed in a masterclass of character acting.Mr Peter Sellers,playing a man 40 years older than his real age,must have learned a lot from her. Mr Bernard Miles,himself relatively young,was more used than Mr Sellers to ageing up,and,to be honest,was a bit more convincing. I have always thought that the late Mr Bill Travers resembled Rock Hudson more than Cary Grant,certainly from a physical point of view. He was very charming and handsome with a pleasing light touch.He and his wife Miss Virginia McKenna play the couple who inherit the decrepit cinema.Quietly clever,loyal,devastatingly beautiful,stubborn and kind - hearted,she has that quintessentially English look.Her staff all fall in love with her immediately. The passing of nearly 50 years has served only to add further piquancy to this near masterpiece.Full of gentle humour and deft touches,it is an object lesson in how ,quietly and modestly,to produce a film that,half a century on is still gaining admirers.