''Old Mother Riley's Circus'' is a 1941 British
comedy film directed by
Thomas Bentley and starring
Arthur Lucan,
Kitty McShane and
John Longden.
Old Mother Riley takes over a struggling
circus and makes a huge success of it.
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
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) or key lines of dialogue may, wh ...
and early
sound era.
Plot summary
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, 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.
Cast
*
Arthur Lucan as Mrs. Riley
*
Kitty McShane as Kitty Riley
*
John Longden as Bill
*
as Bobo the Clown
*
Beckett Bould as Davis
*
Roy Emerton as Santley, circus owner
*
O. B. Clarence
Oliver Burchett Clarence (25 March 1870, Hampstead, London – 2 October 1955, Hove, Sussex) was an English actor.
Following his education at Dover College and University College Hospital, he made his stage debut in 1890. His experience includ ...
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
''Nora Gordon'' (29 November 1893, West Hartlepool, County Durham – 11 May 1970, London) was a British film and television actress. She was married to Leonard Sharp. Her daughter was the actress Dorothy Gordon. She also appeared in a number o ...
as 1st Charwoman
* Jennie Gregson as 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."
References
External links
*
1941 films
British comedy films
1941 comedy films
1940s English-language films
Films directed by Thomas Bentley
Films set in England
Films shot at British National Studios
British black-and-white films
1940s British films
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