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 of 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 | Barbara K. Emary Geoffrey Orme Con West Arthur Lucan |
| Produced by | Wallace Orton |
| Starring | Arthur Lucan Kitty McShane John Longden Edgar Driver |
| Cinematography | James Wilson |
| Edited by | Clifford Boote Jack Harris |
| Music by | Kennedy Russell |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Anglo-American Film Corporation |
Release date | 9 February 1941 |
Running time | 80 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Plot
Old 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, the show manages to go on. The money pours in, financial disaster is avoided, and Mother Riley discovers her long-lost daughter is in fact the star of the show.[3]
Cast
- Arthur Lucan – Mrs. Riley
- Kitty McShane – Kitty Riley
- John Longden – Bill
- Edgar Driver – Bobo the Clown
- Beckett Bould – Davis
- Roy Emerton – Santley, circus owner
- O. B. Clarence – Lawyer
- Syd Crossley – The Bailiff
- Hector Abbas – Wizista, the hypnotist
- W. T. Holland – Character
- John Turnbull – Cinema Manager
- Iris Vandeleur – Landlady
- Ben Williams – Lucky
- Nora Gordon – 1st Charwoman
- Jennie Gregson – 2nd Charwoman
Critical reception
TV 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
- ^ "BFI | Film & TV Database | OLD MOTHER RILEY'S CIRCUS (1941)". Ftvdb.bfi.org.uk. 2009-04-16. Retrieved 2014-02-22.
- ^ "Old Mother Riley's Circus | BFI | BFI". Explore.bfi.org.uk. Retrieved 2014-02-22.
- ^ a b "Old Mother Riley's Circus Review". Movies.tvguide.com. Retrieved 2014-02-22.
External links
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