The Smallest Show on Earth


3:40 pm - 5:15 pm, Wednesday, July 8 on Talking Pictures TV (82)

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About this Broadcast

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A newly married couple inherit a dilapidated cinema and its incompetent staff and resolve to transform its fortunes. They soon find, however, that their hopes for the future are far more difficult to realise than anticipated. Basil Dearden's comedy, starring Bill Travers, Virginia McKenna, Peter Sellers, Margaret Rutherford, Bernard Miles and Leslie Phillips


1957 subtitles
Comedy General Movie/Drama

Cast & Crew

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Bill Travers (Actor) .. Matt
Virginia McKenna (Actor) .. Jean
Peter Sellers (Actor) .. Mr Quill
Margaret Rutherford (Actor) .. Mrs Fazackalee
Leslie Phillips (Actor) .. Robin
Bernard Miles (Actor) .. Old Tom
Basil Dearden (Director)

More Information

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Did You Know..

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Bill Travers (Actor) .. Matt
Virginia McKenna (Actor) .. Jean
Peter Sellers (Actor) .. Mr Quill
Born: September 08, 1925 in Portsmouth
Best Known For: Being an acclaimed comedy actor.
Early-life: Richard Henry Sellers was born in Portsmouth on September 8, 1925. In his parents' variety act, he made his stage debut in Southsea at the age of two weeks old. Peter got his first job at the age of 15 as a caretaker at the Victoria Palace Theatre in Illfracombe.
Career: During his theatre job, he developed his skills as a drummer and played with a number of touring bands. He became a member of the Entertainments National Service Association, which provided entertainment for British forces and factory workers during the Second World War. In 1943, Sellers joined the RAF and toured with Ralph Reader's RAF Gang Show troupe. In 1948, he landed a six-week run at the Windmill Theatre in London, providing a comedy turn in-between the nude shows. He made his TV debut in 1948 doing impressions on New to You, but his big break came on the radio in 1951 when he appeared in The Goon Show. The hugely popular series ran until 1960. He took on a number of small film roles in the 1950s until he was offered one of the main roles in Ealing comedy The Ladykillers (1955). Other films followed, including I'm All Right Jack, which became the highest grossing film at the British box office in 1960. Further success came in the 1960s with roles in Lolita (1962), The Pink Panther (1962), Dr Strangelove (1964), A Shot in the Dark (1964), What's New Pussycat (1965) and Casino Royale (1967). After a serious of poorly received films, he returned to his Inspector Clouseau character in box-office success The Return of the Pink Panther (1975). He followed this up in 1976 with The Pink Panther Strikes Again, and the Revenge of the Pink Panther in 1978. In 1979 he starred in the acclaimed films The Prisoner of Zenda and Being There. He died on July 24, 1980 at the age of 54.
Quote: 'If you ask me to play myself, I will not know what to do. I do not know who or what I am.'
Trivia: Released Goodness Gracious Me with Sophia Loren in 1960, reaching number four in the UK music charts.
Margaret Rutherford (Actor) .. Mrs Fazackalee
Leslie Phillips (Actor) .. Robin
Born: April 20, 1924 in London
Best Known For: His catchphrase: 'Well, hel-lo.'
Early-life: Leslie Samuel Phillips was born in north London, on April 20, 1924. His father worked for Main Gas Cookers and died when Phillips was nine, leaving his mother to bring up three children alone. Inspired by his victory in a beautiful baby competition, she enrolled her son at the Italia Conti stage school and put him on the boards to earn extra money. From age 14, he toured almost permanently. His mother also paid for elocution lessons to make sure he dropped his cockney accent and gained the plummy voice we all know and love.
Career: His early career was interrupted by the Second World War, but he went into rep after being demobbed. On the big screen, his breakthrough film was Train of Events in 1949, which marked the beginning of a lengthy movie career. Phillips has appeared in Carry On films, the Doctor series and more dramatic movies such as The Sound Barrier and The Longest Day. He disappeared from the silver screen for nearly a decade before returning in Out Of Africa. Other recent films include The Jackal, Saving Grace, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Venus and Late Bloomers. He also provided the voice for the Sorting Hat in the Harry Potter movies.
Quote: 'It's very flattering to be viewed as something of a hot property again at my age.'
Trivia: He was awarded an OBE in 1998.
Bernard Miles (Actor) .. Old Tom
Basil Dearden (Director)

Before / After

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Dial 999
3:10 pm