Old Mother Riley's Circus

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.

Old Mother Riley's Circus
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	British National Films
Distributed by	Anglo-American Film Corporation
Release date	9 February 1941 (1941-02-09)
Running time	80 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

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 as Mrs. Riley
• Kitty McShane as Kitty Riley
• John Longden as Bill
• Edgar Driver as Bobo the Clown
• Beckett Bould as Davis
• Roy Emerton as Santley, circus owner
• O. B. Clarence 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 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."^[3]