The Smallest Show on Earth
This delightful Ealing-style comedy was released in 1957 and tells the story of a couple who inherit a flea-pit Cinema. It stars Margaret Rutherford as a ferocious ticket lady Mrs. Fazakerley and Peter Sellers as a lush projectionist Mr. Quill.
This extract shows a substantial set-piece of the film, namely the first re-opening performance of the Bijou. I’m actually re-watching it as I type and it is full of laugh out loud moments. It also has a moment of pathos- every now and then the staff show old silent films to themselves and Mrs. Fazakerley accompanies them on the Piano.
(It is available on a very good quality DVD, but sadly no extras).





