Life Is a Circus

# Life is a circus, a circus, a circus. Just like a merry-go-round . . . As the titles appear, the smartly turned out vehicles of Rickenbeck's Mammoth Circus drive into view. The British Comedy Guide website mentions Windsor Great Park and Home Park, Windsor as locations.

Coming the wrong way along the same one way road, are an old bus and horse drawn wagons of Winter's Monster Circus & Funfair.

Bud (Bud Flanagan) and Rickenbeck's driver Frank (Edwin Richfield) almost come to blows as Shirley Winter and Carl Rickenbeck walk towards them.

Circus owner Joe Winter (Joseph Tomelty) appears from behind the bus as his daughter and Carl attempt to resolve the situation.

After Winter's Circus is set up, Carl Rickenbeck (Michael Holliday) arrives to speak with Shirley about his father's offer to buy the whole outfit. The entrance to Home Park on King Edward VII Road in Windsor, Berkshire with Victoria Bridge Lodge in the distance.

The view now. Victoria Bridge Lodge exists, but is completely hidden in the trees on the right. (SR)

Appearing from underneath the arches, Bud parts company with Ches (Chesney Allen) after purchasing junk from his old friend. A studio set at Shepperton Studios, included just to show Flanagan and Allen together.

Facing financial difficulty and in danger of closing, Winter's Circus moves on to a site near Windsor where Bud gets to work cleaning the junk that he bought from Ches. Home Park on King Edward VII Road, Windsor with Windsor Castle in the background. A similar view is seen in 'Break in the Circle'.

No circus here today, maybe a large truck will do. (SR)

After a Genie named Ali Ben Tosher Yousef Ben Ahmed appears from the lamp that Bud was polishing, preparations are made for the next show. High Street, Eton in Berkshire with the long demolished Bridge House Hotel to the right. The hotel can also be seen in 'The Stranger Left No Card'.

A popular spot today. (SR)

Banging a bass drum while being driven through the streets by Charlie (Charlie Naughton), Sebastian (Teddy Knox) announces that evening's performance as "the greatest show on earth". Below Windsor Castle on Thames Street, Windsor, a similar view is seen in 'The Cherry Picker'.

Today's view, complete with Duck Stop. (SR)

Across the road Frank spots the pair drumming up custom. Thames Street, Windsor.

Slightly off-angle to avoid the traffic. (SR)

Entering a shop, Frank asks to use the telephone. This section of Thames Street and the parade of shops appear as backgrounds in 'The Vulture', 'Carry On Loving' and 'No Sex Please, We’re British'.

While training a pony with his son Carl, Rickenbeck (Eric Pohlmann) is called away to take the call.

Commanded to provide a thousand people to fill the circus tent for the evening performance, the Genie materialises in London. The Clock Tower of the Palace of Westminster in London SW1.

I was an hour too late to match the time. SJ

Ali Ben Tosher Yousef Ben Ahmed (Lionel Jeffries) begins by transporting the Members of a marching band from Horse Guards Parade into the audience. The lamp post confirms the the location but with trees obscuring the background it's difficult to judge the angle.

The film's finale chase takes place through the streets of Windsor when a Western Cowboy and Indian act conjured up by the Genie ride from the circus tent. This is the junction of Peascod Street, Clarence Road and St. Leonard's Road with the The Hope public house on the left and the Queen Victoria public house to the right.

The junction today. (SR)

A traffic signal turns to red which brings the Cowboys to a halt. Outside number 71 next door to the Queen Victoria on Peascod Street.

Now festooned with hanging baskets. No need for the traffic light, the street is pedestrianized .(SR)

Shooting recommences and the Cowboys ride away when the lights change to green. Looking into Peascod Street from the corner of Clarence Road in Windsor, Berkshire.

A nice spot for drinking and people-watching today. (SR)

The Cowboys follow the Indians into Windsor Great Park. There's no apparent reason to disbelieve the sign.

Following the Cowboys and Indians to the film's end, the Crazy Gang turn a corner. Looking from the corner of St. Leonards Road into Clarence Road in Windsor, Berkshire with The Hope to the right.

The junction with Charles Street now occupies the centre of the view. (SR)