Tags
1960's, Bill Owen, Carry On Movies, Carry On Regardless, Charles Hawtrey, Comedy, Esma Cannon, Gerald Thomas, Hattie Jacques, Joan Hickson, Joan Sims, Kenneth Connor, Kenneth Williams, Liz Fraser, Sid James, Stanley Unwin, Terence Longdon
Film Title
Carry On Regardless
Director
Gerald Thomas
Starring
- Sid James as Bert Handy
- Kenneth Connor as Sam Twist
- Charles Hawtrey as Gabriel Dimple
- Joan Sims as Lily Duveen
- Kenneth Williams as Francis Courtenay
- Bill Owen as Mike Weston
- Liz Fraser as Delia King
- Terence Longdon as Montgomery Infield-Hopping
- Esma Cannon as Miss Cooling
- Stanley Unwin as Landlord
- Joan Hickson as Matron
- Hattie Jacques as Nurse
The fifth entry in the franchise, Carry On Regardless for me hits a stumbling block. While it’s still funny, the focus on too many individual incidents gets laborious and it feels like there is too much going on and not all of it good. Suffice to say, Carry On Regardless is my least favourite entry so far in the long running series.
A group of disgruntled individuals meet in the Labour Exchange, moaning about the severe lack of jobs. They are perpetually unlucky Sam Twist, clumsy and harmless Gabriel Dimple, amiable Lily Duveen, snotty language expert Francis Courtenay, gruff chap Mike Weston, gorgeous blonde Delia King and well-groomed Montgomery Infield-Hopping. On the very same day, a discovery in the paper for an agency known as ‘Helping Hands’ is found. Given the lack of jobs, the motley crew races to the office to get work there. The agency is run by the crafty Bert Handy, who along with his secretary Miss Cooling, hopes the business of ‘Helping Hands’ can be successful. Hiring the group, he awaits greatness. At first, business is pretty slow for all involved. Yet eventually, given that the agency has advertised that they will take whatever job there is, offers flood in for the staff. Which of course means that unusual and kooky antics are bound to follow, especially with this group of misfits taking part. And when the new order system that assigns jobs for everyone is mixed up, much mayhem ensues.
While Gerald Thomas knows what he’s doing to get laughs, his direction is as uneven as the stories at play. Nothing bad by any stretch, just a feeling of being too thrown together and forced. While other Carry On Movies have been episodic, they at least had more of a clear thread running through them. Regardless just feels like an overload of ideas that could have been rendered with more efficiency. Part of the fun in a Carry On is the camaraderie and group effort of the thing; Regardless keeps them apart for much too long. Now there’s still humour to be gleaned, with more innuendo peppered in there in budding fashion. Owing to the scattershot narrative, some vignettes stand out more than others. Joan Sims getting sozzled at a high society is hilarious, as is Kenneth Williams walking and entertaining a Chimpanzee for the day. Kenneth Connor’s story of a misunderstood message that leads to what he thinks is a spy operation is probably the funniest of the lot, especially as it really plays up the fact that he’s such a hapless chap. While these areas of Carry On Regardless are fun and get laughs, the rest of it somehow grinds to a halt. I feel that the talents of some members of the cast where not given great stuff to work with, which is a shame considering their talents. While the score is eventful, it isn’t the finest example of music in Carry On.
Sid James, with his trademark grin and dirty laugh, is clearly having fun as the boss of the agency, who everything seems to link back to. There’s something about James that really keeps you watching, even when the stories get to be a bit of a bore. Kenneth Connor, so far a firm favourite in the Carry On team, once more plays the underdog to the hilt. Connor just knows how to gain laughs from you with his brand of hapless enthusiasm and performance. I’ve grown to love Charles Hawtrey and his comedic talents, and though he gets one particularly funny scene, I was a bit disheartened that he wasn’t given a whole lot to do. The delightful Joan Sims shines in her main scenes with her comic timing and personality, making up for some of the less assured vignettes. And of course a Carry On wouldn’t be one without the inimitable Kenneth Williams. That vocal style, mannerisms and facial expressions are just too hilarious, Williams is a masterful comedian. Bill Owen is sadly given scant to do in this venture, while the gorgeous Liz Fraser provides ample sex appeal in her debut Carry On. Terence Longdon makes his last appearance, which sadly is one that is few and far between as he feels a little shoe-horned into the mix. Providing splendid support is the sweet and pixie-like Esma Cannon, whose pretty fun and endearing as a daffy secretary. Stanley Unwin appears, along with his trademark gobbledygook style of speaking to play a Landlord, that no one can understand. In a funny reversal of fortune from Carry On Nurse, Joan Hickson plays a hospital matron while Hattie Jacques is the put-upon nurse.
Not a bad movie, it has its moments that raise a laugh, but Carry On Regardless feels hit and miss in regards to the rest of the films.
Nice review.
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Thank you for commenting here.
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I agree, they seemed to be searching for a direction with this one. Hard to believe now, but Stanley Unwin was a huge star back then, and his translation scene is a good one. I think the writers realised this wasn’t the way to go with the Carry On series, and they soon got back on track.
Cheers, Pete.
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I think the train came off the track with things here. Not that is was an awful film, just misguided. I found Unwin very interesting, particularly his style of speaking. Unusual but memorable.
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He made a career out of that, unbelievably.
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Well it’s certainly very distinctive.
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I really liked the introduction of Liz Fraser too, what a beauty!
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Her boobs were her trademark at the time mate, but I think she had lovely eyes too. She’s still alive, now aged 87. She came from the same area of London as me. Here she is last year, hasn’t changed that much.
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I think she’s so pretty, lovely voice too. Just watching that interview, she definitely hasn’t changed.
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This is a very old one then, as Sid James is now an astral himself.!
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It’s from 1961.
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Well I just basically watched portions of some of the carry on films..I’ve never watched them thoroughly from start to finish.
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You should give them a proper watch.
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Never even heard of this one, but big points for using the word “gobbledygook.”
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It’s such a fantastic word. Almost childlike yet very funny.
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It’s I think the curse of many long running series: there will always come a time that the originality or inspiration runs out of steam. But a lot of times it also get’s picked up again, so that’s a good thing I guess. Another winning review though, that is for sure 😊
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You have it dead right about the picking up and getting back into the groove. Many series have proven adept at this.
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How are you Michel?
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Thank you for asking. Very kind of you. I have been a bit busy the past few days, so am running behind with way too much stuff. Also have a bit too much on my mind, but I’m still managing no worries 😊 How are you? Well I hope?
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If you ever want to talk, I’m here. I’m doing pretty good.
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Thanks, really appreciate it. That goes both ways my friend. Glad to read you are doing good 😊
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Good to know that.
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My work on both blogs has been pretty prolific lately. Guess I’ve just been inspired.
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Well, that is very cool to hear. I’m certain,y playing catch up, as I have missed quite a few posts (or I’m just following way too many blogs lol😂), but I will definitely gone across the posts that I have missed. I hope to have some posts out this week myself for Terminator 2 3D, Event Horizon, the Mist tv series, The Expanse tv series and Narcos season 1. If only there were more hours in a day lol 😂😂
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Take your time, my good man. No point in rushing. I look forward to your Event Horizon review.
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Sorry for being late to the party on this one. I have to say I am a little surprised at the negative responses to this film from everyone here as it is one my faves of the entire series.
I liked the individual scenarios as it gave everyone a chance to shine in different areas rather than just show up as part of a wider arc. Plus it has Stanley Unwin’s brilliant cameos and a young Nicholas Parsons playing a lech! 😛
Ah well, one man’s meat…. 🙂
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There are so many Carry On movies. I’ve come across so many different opinions on them. While not my favourite, Regardless has its virtues.
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