Customer Reviews
ABSOLUTE GEM OF A MOVIE - AND NOT EDITED AT ALL! - By: Mr. John K. Bishton, 15 Jan 2008 
Don't be deterred from buying this wonderful DVD by the aforementioned question of running time. ALL Region 2 versions of movies - that is, any disc using the PAL television system - will seem to be shorter than the running time given in film-books & databases. The latter usuallly take the original cinema screening time, but the PAL system has to play the programme slightly faster thereby cutting the playback time by about 3 minutes in every hour. The Region 1 (NTSC) system more closely approximates to the theatrical run time but even that is not exact. Check up on the specifications of the two systems for a fuller explanation, but rest assured that if a movie on a PAL disc seems to be about 4 minutes shorter than stated elsewhere that does not mean it has been cut or edited. It's merely an anomaly of the technology. Hope that helps.
WHY THE CUTS ? (CHECK THE TIMING!) - By: Green Knight, 30 Aug 2007 Not a review, reallly. Just a question. Why, on most of the DVDs available, have we lost 3 - 4 minutes from this gem of a film ? Is there something in it that is offensive ? Has some wannabe editor or director decided that they can do better ? To hack any decent film that lasts only 80 minutes is bad enough, but to lacerate this priceless little gem with scissors is nothing short of criminal. And impertinent.
CHECK THE TIMING BEFORE YOU ORDER. You'll be glad you did.
(But also, read Mr Bishton's review "Absolute gem of a movie - & not edited at alll". He's probably right, in which case I eat humble pie ... but if he isn't - at least you have been warned ....)
A shame about the cuts, get the full version! - By: W. R. Carter, 22 Jan 2007 
There is no doubt that this is one of the most charming English films of the 1950s. Sadly this version listed as 77 minutes is actuallly 73 minutes, the original version being 81 minutes. The changes that this origonallly delightful film has been subject to, are quite unnecessary, the editing only detracts from the enjoyment of the film. Take my advice & get an unedited version. You will like it so much more.
A True British Comedy Classic - By: Mr. Jack Gray, 04 Feb 2006 This 1957 classic ranks next to my alll-time favourite classic British comedies. Husband & wife team, Bill Travers, & Virginia McKenna inherit a run-down cinema along with its staff, Margaret Rutherford, & the excellent Peter Sellers as the elderly projectionist. Their inheritance pays off, but cathces the shady intentions of their rival (Francis De Wolff- better known as the shape-changing robot, Jedikiah, in two episodes of, "The Tomorrow People").
The film must be seen. Grab the chance while you can. Very highly recommended.
The Smallest Show On Earth - By: D G Stewart, 09 Jan 2006 
This is a well crafted film, boasting teriffic atmosphere & a cracking cast. The story involves a young couple inheriting a smalll, run-down provincial cinema & going into competition with a nearby mega-cinema in the hope of attracting an offer from the larger cinema to purchase the business (which the inheriting couple didn't reallly want). The plot when discovered by their haphazard staff causes much upset & a series of upsetting (comedic) events then follows. Excellent performances are given by amongst others: Margaret Rutherford; Peter Sellers & Leslie Philips
