Old Mother Riley's Circus is a 1941 British comedy film directed by Thomas Bentley and starring Arthur Lucan, Kitty McShane and John Longden.[1] Old Mother Riley takes over a struggling circus and makes a huge success of it.[2] The trade ad poster proclaims, "A LAUGH - A YELL - A ROAR - A LUCANQUAKE!" The film was made at the Rock Studios in Elstree by British National Films. It was the final film by Bentley, who had been a leading British director during the silent era and early sound era.
| Old Mother Riley's Circus | |
|---|---|
.jpg) British trade ad poster | |
| Directed by | Thomas Bentley |
| Written by | |
| Produced by | Wallace Orton |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | James Wilson |
| Edited by |
|
| Music by | Kennedy Russell |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Anglo-American Film Corporation |
Release date |
|
Running time | 80 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Plot summary
editOld Mother Riley is the ringmaster after taking over a big top with flagging fortunes. Although the circus is plagued by the disappearance of its owner, and the bailiffs are at the door, the show somehow manages to go on. Money starts to pour in, financial disaster is avoided, and Mother Riley discovers her long-lost daughter is in fact the star of the show.[3]
Cast
edit- Arthur Lucan as Mrs. Riley
- Kitty McShane as Kitty Riley
- John Longden as Bill
- Edgar Driver as Bobo the Clown
- Beckett Bould as Davis
- Roy Emerton as Santley, circus owner
- O. B. Clarence as Lawyer
- Syd Crossley as The Bailiff
- Hector Abbas as Wizista, the hypnotist
- W. T. Holland as Character
- John Turnbull as Cinema Manager
- Iris Vandeleur as Landlady
- Ben Williams as Lucky
- Nora Gordon as 1st Charwoman
- Jennie Gregson as 2nd Charwoman
Critical reception
editTV Guide said, "the usual padding that plagues the "Old Mother Riley" series is avoided thanks to a jolly atmosphere and some decent acts."[3]
References
edit- ^ "BFI | Film & TV Database | OLD MOTHER RILEY'S CIRCUS (1941)". Ftvdb.bfi.org.uk. 16 April 2009. Archived from the original on 14 January 2009. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
- ^ "Old Mother Riley's Circus | BFI | BFI". Explore.bfi.org.uk. Archived from the original on 12 July 2012. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
- ^ a b "Old Mother Riley's Circus Review". Movies.tvguide.com. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
External links
edit
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