The Smallest Show on Earth

The Smallest Show on Earth
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Basil Dearden
Produced by	Sidney Gilliat Frank Launder Michael Relph
Written by	William Rose John Eldridge
Starring	Bill Travers Virginia McKenna Peter Sellers Margaret Rutherford Bernard Miles
Music by	William Alwyn
Cinematography	Douglas Slocombe
Edited by	Oswald Hafenrichter
Production company	Hallmark Productions
Distributed by	British Lion Films (UK) Times Film Corporation (USA)
Release date	1957
Running time	80 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

The Smallest Show on Earth (a.k.a. USA: Big Time Operators) is a 1957 British comedy film, directed by Basil Dearden, and starring Bill Travers, Virginia McKenna, Peter Sellers and Margaret Rutherford. The supporting cast included Bernard Miles, Leslie Phillips, Francis de Wolff, George Cross, June Cunningham and Sid James. The screenplay was written by William Rose and John Eldridge from an original story by William Rose.

Travers and McKenna play Matt and Jean, a young couple (they were married in real life) with a longing to visit exotic places, such as Samarkand. One day, Matt inherits a cinema from his great uncle. When they look over their new property, they first mistake the modern 'Grand' for it. They are soon disillusioned to learn that the cinema they actually own is the old decrepit Bijou Kinema (nicknamed the "flea pit"), which is located next to a railway bridge. Along with the cinema, come three long-time employees: Mrs. Fazackalee (Rutherford), the cashier and bookkeeper; Mr. Quill (Sellers), the projectionist; and Old Tom (Miles) the commissionaire, doorkeeper and usher.

Robin (Phillips), their solicitor, informs them that the Grand's owner, Mr. Hardcastle (De Wolff), had offered to buy the Bijou from Matt's great uncle for five thousand pounds in order to construct a car park for his nearby cinema. When they see their competitor however, he only offers them five hundred, thinking they have no choice but to accept.

Instead, on Robin's advice, they pretend to want to reopen the Bijou in order to force Hardcastle to raise his offer. At first, they seem to be succeeding, but then Old Tom inadvertently lets slip their overheard plan and Hardcastle refuses to budge. They decide to carry on with their bluff and go through with the opening. After a few mishaps, the business flourishes, especially after Matt employs the curvaceous Marlene Hogg (Cunningham) to sell ice creams and other treats at the interval.