The Funniest Show on Earth!
Jean and Bill are a married couple trying to scrape a living. Out of the blue they receive a telegram informing them Bill's long-lost uncle has died and left them his business—a cinema in the town of Sloughborough. Unfortunately they can't sell it for the fortune they hoped as they discover it is falling down and almost worthless.
The Smallest Show on Earth (1957) is a comedy film directed by Basil Dearden, released on April 9, 1957 with a runtime of 1h 23m. It stars Virginia McKenna, Bill Travers, Margaret Rutherford and Peter Sellers. Viewers rate it 6.7 out of 10 across 38 ratings.
Virginia McKenna
as Jean Spenser
Bill Travers
as Matt Spenser
Margaret Rutherford
as Mrs. Fazackalee
Peter Sellers
as Percy Quill
Bernard Miles
as Old Tom
Francis de Wolff
as Albert Hardcastle
Leslie Phillips
as Robin Carter
June Cunningham
as Marlene Hogg
Sidney James
as Mr. Hogg
George Cross
as Commissionaire
George Cormack
as Bell
Stringer Davis
as Emmett
Directed by Basil Dearden, written by William Rose and John Eldridge, produced by Michael Relph.
Average viewer score of 6.7/10 from 38 ratings.
What if you were informed that you've just inherited your late uncle's "fortune" and then you found out that this "fortune" was, in reality, just an old, dilapidated, little movie theater? I'm assuming you'd be none too happy. Well, neither were Matt and Jean Spenser in this enjoyable little comedic romp. But they learn to make the most of the cinema, as well as the delightful assortment of oddball characters that…
Reviewed on October 16, 2019
If only I had a great-uncle “Simon” who would die (peacefully, of course) and leave me a cinema! Well that’s what “Jean” (Virginia McKenna) and “Matt” (Bill Travers) are bequeathed and so off the set to “Sloughborough” to take a look at their inheritance. Their hopes are high when the cabbie tells them the only cinema in town is the aptly named “Grand” but their dreams are soon dashed by solicitor “Robin” (Leslie…
Reviewed on July 26, 2025
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The Smallest Show on Earth (1957) is available to stream on FlixFling and Artiflix, and to rent or buy from Amazon Video and FlixFling. Streaming availability is checked against JustWatch data and can change by region.
The main cast of The Smallest Show on Earth (1957) includes Virginia McKenna, Bill Travers, Margaret Rutherford, Peter Sellers and Bernard Miles. The film was directed by Basil Dearden. You can see the full cast and crew list, with character names, further up this page.
The Smallest Show on Earth was released on April 9, 1957 and runs for 1h 23m.
The Smallest Show on Earth (1957) holds an average rating of 6.7 out of 10 from 38 viewer votes, and is a good pick if you enjoy comedy films. Read the viewer reviews on this page to decide for yourself.
