Old Mother Riley's Circus
| Old Mother Riley's Circus | |
|---|---|
.jpg) British trade ad poster | |
| Directed by | Thomas Bentley |
| Produced by | Wallace Orton |
| Written by |
Barbara K. Emary Geoffrey Orme Con West Arthur Lucan |
| Starring |
Arthur Lucan Kitty McShane John Longden Edgar Driver |
| Music by | Kennedy Russell |
| Cinematography | James Wilson |
| Edited by |
Clifford Boote Jack Harris |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Anglo-American Film Corporation |
Release dates | 9 February 1941 |
Running time | 80 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
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.
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.[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.
- 1 2 "Old Mother Riley's Circus Review". Movies.tvguide.com. Retrieved 2014-02-22.