No Limit (1935) User Reviews

And we're off!

[Spondonman · 7/10 · 1 December 2007]

No Limit was George's first big league film, his 4th overall. The boss of ATP Basil Dean had wanted to find a Northern entertainer to rival Gracie Fields; when his scouts announced the finding of George Formby for him he said "But he's dead", thinking of George's famous Dad who had died in 1922. But nevertheless, Formby Jr. probably inevitably became a star, the biggest in Britain between 1938-1945 – he came along at just the right time when the public wanted simple good hearted escapism. The only purpose simple good hearted escapism serves today for film-makers is to give themselves and the public something to sneer at.

Gormless little man George Shuttleworth wants to take part in and win the annual motorcycle TT Races on t'Isle of Man, gets there penniless but with Florence Desmond rooting for him, and an assortment of baddies led by nasty Jack Hobbs out to stop him by foul means. Songs: Riding In The TT Races (in the crowded railway coach), Riding Around On A Rainbow (the lively hit of the film by Flo – to Beryl's disgust - on the IOM ferry), In A Little Wigan Garden (an advance warning for serious people: black-faced on the beach at Douglas), I'm Walking Your Way (as a romantic duet in the "moonlight"). Favourite bits: the studio shots of George's back yard at Slagdyke; the location shots of the course and backgrounds on the Isle of Man; grandfather Edward Rigby's superbly indignant performance; the TT race scenes and climax (due to the heat and number of re-takes George actually did collapse at the finish). The local stunt riders apparently went on strike successfully for a short while after they found out that director Monte Banks was paying the donkey and his owner (who had smaller bit parts) more than them!

A landmark film with the Formby Formula virtually in place, it wouldn't really be changed now for the next 10 years.

Turned Out Nice Again

[malcolmgsw · 6/10 · 26 August 2005]

This was the first of the films that George made for ATP,later to become known as Ealing Studios.It is here that the template is laid for all the other films to follow.The gawky girl shy lad,triumphing over other more likely lads to win the girl and in this case the TT race.In this film he is directed by the Italian born,Monty Banks,who will marry Gracie Fields and supported by the experienced actress Florence Desmond.It is difficult to realise that George and Gracie managed to keep Ealing Studios afloat,whilst the head of production,indulged in "prestige pictures" which nearly drove the studios into liquidation and resulted in his being sacked,which led to the appointment of Michael Balcon and greater things.If you are interested in Britain in the 30s,or are a Formby fan then this is for you,otherwise forget it.Given the fact that his wife,Beryl was on the set,it is understandable that he is never kissed on the mouth by his leading lady!

Classic of it's kind

[mac-hawk · 6/10 · 5 October 2010]

There's a few things going for this film if your into nostalgia. Firstly George is a likable Lancashire comedian setting out on the big screen in an absolutely predictable script.

It's worth a watch if you've ever been to the Isle of Man (TT races or not) purely from a historical point of view. Health & safety would just die at the crowds locality to the bikes! There are a few good laughs but 75 years on it all looks very, very familiar. The Riding the TT Races song on the train journey is an eccentric bit of comedic genius and the Shuttleworth Snap is a dream bike (there's a full replica at The Bay Inn, Port Erin, Isle of Man - fab pub).

80 Minutes of Nostalgic fun

[robert-elliott7 · 26 June 2003]

This film was made in 1935 when Formby was at the height of his fame in the British music halls. This was Formby's third film and also one of his most fondly remembered. He plays George Shuttleworth (speed demon), Who has a dream of riding his motorbike in the Isle Of Man TT races. It is a wonderful 80 minutes of nostalgic fun as George gets into many scrapes on the way and manages to fit in a few songs while plucking his Ukelele. It is also a timely reminder of a Britain which (sadly) no longer exists. So sit back and reminisce but most of all enjoy.

Love It!

[m_fehle · 7/10 · 4 April 2006]

The greatest movie of all time this isn't. I don't think it ever tried to be. It's a vehicle of George "oooh, mother!" Formby and his ukelele, in an era when Vaudeville was coughing up blood and there was a pool of talent going idle (assuming you consider the ukelele a talent!). It's lots of fun, and entirely predictable - underdog battles the odds, has a few scrapes, but gets the girl (and other things) in the end, baddies roundly thrashed, and all to the strains of the obligatory musical numbers that permeate the movie. I grew up on the Isle of Man and used to marshal on the TT course - there wasn't a year went by that at least one rider didn't have his machine painted in the Shuttleworth Snap checkerboard pattern, such is the legacy of this movie in the road-racing fraternity. Filmed almost entirely on location, it cuts in archive race footage (amazing to see what's changed and what hasn't) and it's sublimely ridiculous. If you're a road-racer, or know people who are, this is a must. For everyone else, it's a maybe. Bizarrely, in the scene at the beginning of the big race, there is a swastika flag flying from the grandstand. It's customary to fly the flags of all of the countries that the competitors are from, and I guess in 1936 there were German riders - still, it's a little strange to see it there, looks out of place.

Enjoyable Period Movie

[storm_cloud-55639 · 7/10 · 17 November 2018]

I've enjoyed Formby's singing and ukulele playing for several years but have just tonight seen several of his movies on TCM. It's easy to see why he was (and is still) loved in the UK. Formby's style of comedy reminded me of Jerry Lewis in his early movies though Formby preceded Lewis by some 15 years.

George enters a motorcycle race, sings and meets a pretty girl. He's the underdog. Will he win? Will he get the girl in the end? Of course. Surprised?

The film uses quite a bit of actual race footage and the. Crashes are quite violent. One rider falls over and is hit by two other riders. One cycle and rider go over the edge of a mountain. I'd be surprised if he lived.

Stream some of Formby's songs on Spotify. "Count Your Blessings and Smile" or "When I'm Cleaning Windows".

A laughalong romp

[thecatcanwait · 8/10 · 2 December 2011]

What a jump up in quality No Limit is from George's first 2 films ("Boots!, Boots!" and "Off The Dole")

More lavishly produced, more of a story, more of a drama, more of a genuine laugh.

More of a proper film really (instead of the disjointed bits of skits and sketches of the previous films) professionally directed by Monty Banks (Gracie Fields husband)

I could imagine going to see this in the cinemas in 1936 and having a "reet rollikin good laff"

George singing "Riding in the TT Races" to a carriage full of smiley fat faces gives a little tug on the happy string in your heart.

The TT race finale is a thrills and spills rompalong (how close the dangerously careering bikes are to the crowd around would give the present day Health & Safety police kittens)

It all ends predictably and happily ever after.

I'd pick a rainy Sunday afternoon to watch this film, cuddled up on the sofa, drinking pots of tea, munching Eccles cakes.

Geoge Formby's feature film debut!

[JohnHowardReid · 8/10 · 5 October 2017]

Young Formby's career really took off when George was signed by Associated Talking Pictures, who had enough sense to realize that if Formby could attract huge crowds with movies made on shoe-string budgets, what might he gross with "No Limit" (1935)?

This cleverly titled full-length motion picture debut was a polished production directed by Monty Banks, who himself was a famous comedian in his day. The movie was actually shot on the Isle of Man, and features not only excellent comedy routines and rousing songs, but the wonderful Florence Desmond who (much to Mrs. Beryl Formby's annoyance - she managed to cut the scene when the movie was re- issued) has the best (and most inventively staged) song, namely "Riding Around on a Rainbow".

Formby himself (in collaboration with Fred E. Cliffe) composed this song, and in the movie he accompanies Miss Desmond on his ukulele, but sings only one line.

Other support players like Edward Rigby and Florence Gregson (George's screen family in this one) also have a chance to shine.

This movie is available on an excellent 10/10 Optimum DVD.

England's George Formby's First Feature Film

[springfieldrental · 8/10 · 16 June 2023]

When John Lennon of the Beatles was an early teenager during the 1950s, he and his cousins would travel to Blackpool and specifically Blackpool Tower Circus to watch a number of comics and performers entertain the crowd. Lennon said he especially enjoyed singer, songwriter, comedian George Formby. For years Formby had been one of England's most popular entertainers as well as its highest-paid. At the height of his performing career, Formby appeared in his first feature film, September 1935's "No Limit." The comedy has him as a chimney sweeper who dreams of racing his bike in the prestigious TT motorcycle race on the Isle of Man.

Formby, a Lancaster lad and son of popular entertainer George Formby Sr., who died before junior could see him perform, followed in his father's footsteps using his same act and song-and-dance routines. At 19, he met and married stage actress Beryl Ingham, who played a crucial role in managing and shaping Formby's on-stage persona. With ukulele in hand, Formby became famous as a recording artist, with Beryl securing spacious venues to accommodate the ever-growing crowds paying to see him. In 1934 she arranged Associated Talking Pictures to star Formby in a couple of shorts films, which was met by an overwhelming response from the public. The studio signed him to a seven year contract, producing eleven Formby movies. His first was "No Limit."

Formby's wife didn't make things easy for director Monty Banks, who described each day on the set with her as "a battleground." Wanting to make sure her husband was front and center in each scene, Beryl not only ticked off the director but Formby's opposite, veteran actress Florence Desmond. She plays Florrie Dibney, secretary to the head of a large English motorcycle company who gets Formby into the popular Isle of Man race despite several bumps along the way, including a pair of competitors who attempt to buy off Formby from racing. The two lead performers often clashed while filming, with Formby alleging Florence was stuck up and pompous while she found him to be a 'gormless oaf." Desmond particularly went nuts when she saw the posters advertising "No Limits" with her name below the title, a slap in the face for the popular actress.

"No Limits" contains actual racing footage from the 37-mile long race course, juxtaposed by studio shots with a background projection screen. Formby, an experienced motorbike rider, performed much of his scenes racing on the track. Director Banks, however, became upset when he saw Formby pulling some dangerous maneuvers on his bike during filming to show off his skills, even though stunt riders had been hired to perform those hair-raising scenes. Formby can be seen weaving inside and around his fellow riding competitors. For the exciting ending when his bike suddenly conks out, the entertainer was tasked with pushing his motorcycle a considerable distance. Requiring 15 takes out in scalding hot weather, Formby passed out on the final take, sending the studio doctor onto the track to administer aid.

The other Formby films used the same formula introduced in "No Limits." He played the urban "little man defeated-but refusing to admit it," setting the stage for his ultimate victory. These storylines are intersperse with him winning the girl as well as showcasing his singing and playing his favorite string instruments. Wrote film historian Brian McFarlane, Formby's films were "unpretentiously skillful in their balance between broad comedy and action, laced with Formby's shy ordinariness." Formby traveled extensively during World War Two, giving numerous charity performances before the troops. He remained popular in England during the late 1950s, despite his failing health. The Beatles, especially George Harrison, who was a member of the George Formby Society, improvised several numbers on the ukulele inspired by Formby. A statue on the Isle of Man features Formby leaning against a lamp-post dressed in motorcycle leathers holding a ukulele in honor of his role in "No Limit."