No Limit (1935)

George Shuttleworth is convinced that he has the talent to win the Isle of Man TT races, despite what his neighbours back home in Wigan may think. During the trials, the brakes go on ... See full summary »

Director:

Monty Banks

Writers:

Thomas J. Geraghty, Walter Greenwood (from a story by),

Stars:

George Formby, Florence Desmond, Howard Douglas

Cast

Credited cast:
George Formby	...	George Shuttleworth
Florence Desmond	...	Florrie Dibney
Howard Douglas	...	Turner
Beatrix Fielden-Kaye	...	Mrs. Horrocks
Peter Gawthorne	...	Mr. Higgins
Alf Goddard	...	Norton
Florence Gregson	...	Mrs. Shuttleworth
Jack Hobbs	...	Bert Tyldesley
Eve Lister	...	Rita
Edward Rigby	...	Grandfather
Evelyn Roberts	...	B.B.C. Commentator
Ernest Sefton	...	Mr. Hardacre
Arthur Young	...	Doctor
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Monty Banks

Storyline

George Shuttleworth is convinced that he has the talent to win the Isle of Man TT races, despite what his neighbours back home in Wigan may think. During the trials, the brakes go on George's bike, 'The Shuttleworth Snap', which he made himself. As a result, he breaks the TT lap record, becoming an instant motor-cycling star. As the big race approaches, George soon realises that other jealous riders will stop at nothing to make sure he does not take part in the race. An early George Formby film and probably his best.

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Plot Keywords:

isle of man | punched in the face | riding donkey | tt racing | motorbike | 

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Taglines:

George is in the Isle of Man for the TT races!

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Sport

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 February 1936 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Ein Teufelskerl

Filming Locations:

Isle of Man

Company Credits

Production Co:

Associated Talking Pictures (ATP)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in Forever Ealing (2002)

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Soundtracks

"Your Way Is My Way"
Written by Harry Parr Davies (as Harry Parr-Davies)
Performed by George Formby & Florence Desmond

User Reviews

And we're off!

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.