See buying choices for this item to see if it's one of the millions that are eligible for Amazon Prime.

3 used & new from £7.40
See All Buying Options
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
The Smallest Show On Earth [DVD] [1957] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]
 
See larger image 
Share your own customer images

The Smallest Show On Earth [DVD] [1957] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

DVD ~ Virginia McKenna
4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)

Available from these sellers.


1 new from £10.95 2 used from £7.40

Region 1 encoding (requires a North American or multi-region DVD player and NTSC compatible TV. More about DVD formats.)

Note: you may purchase only one copy of this product. New Region 1 DVDs are dispatched from the USA or Canada and you may be required to pay import duties and taxes on them (click here for details). Please expect a delivery time of 5-7 days.


Learn about Lovefilm
Amazon's choice for DVD rental.
With a 14 day FREE trial. Learn more

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

The Smallest Show On Earth [DVD] [1957] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]
30% buy the item featured on this page:
The Smallest Show On Earth [DVD] [1957] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC] 4.0 out of 5 stars (5)
The Smallest Show on Earth [DVD] [1957] [US Import]
26% buy
The Smallest Show on Earth [DVD] [1957] [US Import] 3.0 out of 5 stars (2)
The Happiest Days Of Your Life [DVD] [1950]
20% buy
The Happiest Days Of Your Life [DVD] [1950] 4.8 out of 5 stars (13)
£9.98
The Runaway Bus [1954] [DVD]
13% buy
The Runaway Bus [1954] [DVD] 2.3 out of 5 stars (14)
£3.98
Explore similar items

Product details

  • Actors: Virginia McKenna, Bill Travers, Margaret Rutherford, Peter Sellers, Bernard Miles
  • Directors: Basil Dearden
  • Format: Anamorphic, Black & White, Closed-captioned, DVD-Video, NTSC, Widescreen
  • Language English
  • Region: Region 1 (US and Canada DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Classification: Unrated (US MPAA rating. See details.)
  • Studio: Anchor Bay
  • DVD Release Date: 21 Jan 2003
  • Run Time: 80 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B00007AJE9
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 91,344 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

Reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
An amiable knock-off of the Ealing comedy style, The Smallest Show on Earth starts with aspiring novelist Bill Travers and his "nice gel" wife Virginia McKenna inheriting a cinema from a hitherto unknown uncle and discovering that it isn't the sumptuous modern Grand, which specialises in those "smash 'em in the face, knock 'em over the waterfront" pictures, but the decrepit Bijou, known locally as "the fleapit". The initial plan, set up by lawyer Leslie Phillips, is to sell off the cinema to the owner of the Grand so he can knock it down to make a car park, but our heroes are put off by the arrogant bullying of the rival manager (Francis De Wolff) and succumb to the inept charms of the crazed, aged staff--drunken projectionist Peter Sellers, doddery commissionaire Bernard Miles and dotty ticket lady Margaret Rutherford (who joined the team as a piano accompanist).

In the 1950s, there was a run of gentle British comedies in which outmoded and broken-down local institutions (steam trains, tugboats, vintage cars) were saved by collections of committed eccentrics who despised the new-fangled bus services or soulless council bureaucracies and were willing to resort to a little larceny (in this case, arson). The Smallest Show slots in perfectly with the cycle, getting laughs from the Bijou's already outmoded programme of scratchy Westerns and desert dramas (which increase ice cream sales) and sentiment over the staff's midnight screenings of silent movies that remind them of better days. It's likeable rather than hilarious, with Sellers and Miles buried under crepe hair and fake wrinkles competing to out-dodder each other and losing the picture to the inimitable Rutherford, who doesn't have to fake her eccentricity. Pin-up, June Cunningham, is the glamorous usherette and Sid James plays her annoyed Dad.

On the DVD: The Smallest Show on Earth is presented in a decent print, but with no extras. The film is also available as part of the four-disc Peter Sellers Collection. --Kim Newman

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Comedy Classics - Miss Robin Hood [1952] [DVD]

Comedy Classics - Miss Robin Hood [1952] [DVD]

DVD ~ Margaret Rutherford
3.8 out of 5 stars (8)  £7.98
The Runaway Bus [1954] [DVD]

The Runaway Bus [1954] [DVD]

DVD ~ Frankie Howerd
2.3 out of 5 stars (14)  £3.98
Blithe Spirit [DVD] [1945]

Blithe Spirit [DVD] [1945]

DVD ~ Rex Harrison
4.8 out of 5 stars (9)  £7.68
Two Way Stretch [DVD] [1960]

Two Way Stretch [DVD] [1960]

DVD ~ Peter Sellers
4.9 out of 5 stars (11) 
Ladies Who Do [1963] [DVD]

Ladies Who Do [1963] [DVD]

DVD ~ Harry H. Corbett
5.0 out of 5 stars (9)  £5.98
› Explore similar items

Suggested Tags from Similar Products

 (What's this?)
Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
Check a corresponding box or enter your own tags in the field below
virginia mckenna
peter sellers
drama
comedy
classic comedy

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags
 

Customer Reviews

5 Reviews
5 star:
 (3)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:
 (1)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.0 out of 5 stars (5 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars A shame about the cuts, get the full version!, 22 Jan 2007
By W. R. Carter (England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: The Smallest Show On Earth [DVD] [1957] (DVD)
There is no doubt that this is one of the most charming English films of the 1950s. Sadly this version listed as 77 minutes is actually 73 minutes, the original version being 81 minutes. The changes that this origonally delightful film has been subject to, are quite unnecessary, the editing only detracts from the enjoyment of the film. Take my advice and get an unedited version. You will like it so much more.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A True British Comedy Classic, 4 Feb 2006
By Mr. Jack Gray "jackmaster" (Glasgow) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: The Smallest Show On Earth [DVD] [1957] (DVD)
This 1957 classic ranks next to my all-time favourite classic British comedies. Husband and wife team, Bill Travers, and Virginia McKenna inherit a run-down cinema along with its staff, Margaret Rutherford, and the excellent Peter Sellers as the elderly projectionist. Their inheritance pays off, but cathces the shady intentions of their rival (Francis De Wolff- better known as the shape-changing robot, Jedikiah, in two episodes of, "The Tomorrow People").

The film must be seen. Grab the chance while you can. Very highly recommended.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars The Smallest Show On Earth, 9 Jan 2006
By D G Stewart (London United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Smallest Show On Earth [DVD] [1957] (DVD)
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
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars ABSOLUTE GEM OF A MOVIE - AND NOT EDITED AT ALL!
Don't be deterred from buying this wonderful DVD by the aforementioned question of running time. ALL Region 2 versions of movies - that is, any disc using the PAL television... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Mr. John K. Bishton

5.0 out of 5 stars WHY THE CUTS ? (CHECK THE TIMING!)
Not a review, really. Just a question. Why, on most of the DVDs available, have we lost 3 - 4 minutes from this gem of a film ? Is there something in it that is offensive ? Read more
Published 22 months ago by Green Knight

Only search this product's reviews


Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)
This product's forum (0 discussions)
  Discussion Replies Latest Post
  No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
  [Cancel]


Active discussions in related forums
   
Related forums

Listmania!

Create a Listmania! list

Look for similar items by category

Feedback

Health & Beauty at Amazon.co.uk

Elemis Resurface and Renew Skin Care Gift Set of 4 Products
From soap to shavers, massagers to mascara, stock up on your daily essentials or truly pamper yourself.

›Discover Health & Beauty

  

Let Olay Amaze You

Olay Total Effects Day Moisturiser SPF15 50ml
Amazon.co.uk sells all your favourite ranges from Olay, including Regenerist and Total Effects.

›Discover Olay at Amazon.co.uk

  

Boys Smell

Lynx Africa Body Spray and After Shave Gift set
But we make sure they smell good...

›Discover male grooming at Amazon.co.uk

  

Treat Someone

Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificates--available in any amount from £5 to £500 With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is).

›Learn more about Gift Certificates

  
Ad

Where's My Stuff?

Delivery and Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)
You have no recently viewed items or searches.

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.
Continue Shopping: Top Sellers

amazon.co.uk Amazon Home
International Sites:  United States  |  Germany  |  France  |  Japan  |  Canada  |  China
Business Programs: Sell on Amazon  |  Fulfilment by Amazon  |  Join Associates  |  Join Advantage
Customer Service  |  Help  |  View Basket  |  Your Account
About Amazon.co.uk  |  Careers at Amazon
Conditions of Use & Sale |  Privacy Notice  © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. and its affiliates