Carry On Spying

Tags

1960's, Barbara Windsor, Bernard Cribbins, Carry On Movies, Carry On Spying, Charles Hawtrey, Comedy, Dilys Laye, Eric Barker, Gerald Thomas, Jim Dale, Kenneth Williams

Film Title

Carry On Spying

Director

Gerald Thomas

Starring

• Kenneth Williams as Desmond Simpkins
• Barbara Windsor as Daphne Honeybutt
• Bernard Cribbins as Harold Crump
• Charles Hawtrey as Charlie Bind
• Jim Dale as Carstairs
• Eric Barker as The Chief
• Dilys Laye as Lila

A frequently hilarious send up of the Bond movies and Film Noir in parts, Carry On Spying is an enjoyable and fun ninth entry into the long-running movies that is also the last to be filmed in black and white. Be prepared for a riot of laughs here.

A top-secret chemical formula is stolen by an agent who plans to deliver it to an evil organisation known as STENCH. The British Secret Service are panicking at the impending doom that could grow if STENCH gets their hands on the formula. Due to budget cuts and lack of resources, the Chief has to rely on trainee agents to take part in the mission. They are headed by the snide and deluded Desmond Simpkins, and the rest consist of goofy Harold Crump, chirpy Daphne Honeybutt and clumsy Charlie Bind. They are hardly the most effective crew to retrieve something so crucial, but are aided by the fact that Daphne has an excellent photographic memory. They journey to Vienna to meet with another agent( the very Bond like Carstairs) but attempts of a rendezvous are thwarted by the incompetence of the crew and a delirious series of mix-ups that also sends them to the Algiers in search for the formula is what hilariously follows. Who ever said the spying game was just for geniuses?

Gerald Thomas is once more director and clearly on the ball with this offering of jokes and funny goings on. His sense of fun and spoofing of the spy genre is put into great effect, making the laughs flow like a nice wine. Spying is the last black and white entry of the series and it signs off from monochrome with some style and rollicking action. The long shadows of Noir, in particular The Third Man, as well as the James Bond movies, are sent up in hilarious fashion as a whole host of comedic mix-ups have the agents in all sorts of bother with the enemy. While spoofing spy movies and thrillers, Carry On Spying does have the right atmosphere for a movie of that kind, though one with a hell of a lot more zany antics. The pace is lightning quick, benefiting the often outrageous and farcical ventures the bumbling group get themselves into. It’s this efficiency and riotous laughs that are the biggest points of praise in Carry On Spying. From outrageous opening to hilarious headquarters mayhem, there’s no shortage of giggles to be had with Carry On Spying. The innuendo is there and often extremely funny, but never overtly in your face. This makes it an innocent but no less fun outing for the usual assembled gang and more in keeping with some of the earlier entries in the series. Matching the slapstick and crazy occurrences is a very lively score that is the definition of cartoonish.

Kenneth Williams is the main man here, delivering a scene-stealing turn playing the overblown nitwit who thinks he’s a lot better than he actually is. Employing a snide voice and dispensing on liners like there’s no tomorrow, Williams is on fine form from start to finish. Barbara Windsor( who’d later become something of a staple in the Carry On’s) makes her debut here with a light, funny and very cheeky performance. Often later cast as a bimbo or lusted after girl, it’s quite nice to see Windsor as sexy but somewhat more innocent than her latter outings show. It’s a nice, fizzy and wide-eyed performance as the most reliable and resourceful member of a rag-tag team and one that cements Barbara Windsor as something special in these movies. Bernard Cribbins is back following the last movie Carry On Jack, and his goofiness and timing are on point as one part of the inept agents trying to retrieve the formula in rib-tickling style. The last part of the foursome is the delightfully impish Charles Hawtrey; who is customarily camp and energetic in his manner. The main quartet work very well together and the smashing fun depicted transfers directly to the audience through their enthusiasm and brightness. Many of Spying’s laugh come from Jim Dale as a man of disguise whose always thwarted and troubled by the bumbling agents. The fact that he’s on their side and they constantly hinder his chances of glory are the stuff that chuckles are made from. Eric Barker is on familiar but humorous form playing the figure of annoyed and aggravated authority that he knows so well. Dilys Laye( her last appearance being in Carry On Cruising) nicely returns with a devilishly seductive part of a go-between agent who constantly switches sides with aplomb.

Carry On Spying is damn good fun that moves along at a scintillating pace that never lets up, making the enjoyment that much more wonderful. Definitely a high point of the Carry On Movies at least in my book that is. You’ve got a good afternoon film to watch with Carry On Spying that’s for sure and certain.

 

Carry On Constable

Tags

1960's, Carry On Constable, Carry On Movies, Charles Hawtrey, Comedy, Eric Barker, Gerald Thomas, Hattie Jacques, Joan Hickson, Joan Sims, Kenneth Connor, Kenneth Williams, Leslie Phillips, Shirley Eaton, Sid James, Terence Longdon

Film Title

Carry On Constable

Director

Gerald Thomas

Starring

• Sid James as Sergeant Frank Wilkins
• Kenneth Connor as Constable Charlie Constable
• Leslie Phillips as PC Tom Potter
• Kenneth Williams as PC Stanley Benson
• Charles Hawtrey as Special Constable Timothy Gorse
• Joan Sims as PC Gloria Passworthy
• Hattie Jacques as Sergeant Laura Moon
• Eric Barker as Inspector Mills
• Shirley Eaton as Sally
• Terence Longdon as Herbert Hall
• Joan Hickson as Mrs May

A wacky fourth entry into the comedy series, Carry On Constable spoofs the police force with humour and eventfulness. Sid James joins the cast here and while it’s not classic Carry On, Constable has a lot of things to recommend.

A busy police station is struck by flu, leaving many of the staff unable to work. As the station is already understaffed, it’s difficult to find temporary replacements. They eventually come in the form of fresh out the academy; snobbish and sardonic Stanley Benson, society Lothario Tom Potter and highly superstitious Charlie Constable . Also joining them is the harmless and clumsy Special Constable Timothy Gorse and overly efficient Policewoman Gloria Passworthy. Yet even before the day has really begun, the main trio inadvertently aid robbers in getting away, setting in motion the rest of the day. Assigned to watch them is experienced Sergeant Frank Wilkins, who is under pressure from his superior due to the conditions of the place and repeatedly threatened with a transfer. His hope for something good to happen quickly goes south when the stand ins reveal that they are hopelessly inept and prone to mistakes. Nevertheless, Wilkins perseveres with them as he feels something for them and wants anything to rub the Inspector’s nose in it, yet avoid a transfer. But dealing with this quartet is no easy task as he soon discovers. Let’s just say there’s a whole abundance of mishaps along the way for the stand in coppers, with chaos seeming to happen everywhere they go. But can they all pull together and show some backbone in order for Wilkins to stay at the station?

Gerald Thomas makes the lively events and humour shine through with his customary gift for moving the story along at a riotous pace. Carry On Constable is quite similar to Sergeant, in that the batch of recruits are bumbling and prone to folly. Their antics are comedic and eventful. A few interludes don’t do much and lag, but the overall escapades are in high abundance and ready to gain the laughs from you. Some of the highlights include Charlie bursting into an apartment, only to discover that what he believes to be a murder is actually a radio program, Gorse attempting to rescue a cat from a bell tower and funniest of all, Gorse and snobby Benson dressed in drag to stop criminals, yet cause a lot more trouble when their harebrained idea goes to pot. The double entendres and sauciness is upped, with some fine play on words and the first instance of nudity( shown when the quartet experience a freezing shower and end up stumbling into the cells, much to the dismay of a drunken lady). A rollicking score plays well in time with the comedic occurrences that are around every corner of Carry On Constable.

We get the first appearance of the beloved Sid James. Playing a largely serious man who has to witness the chaos ensuing, James gets in some great laughs as he chafes at his superior and it exasperated by the ineptitude of his new recruits( though warms to them). He’s an authority figure, but a funny one that James plays well in his first outing in the Carry On series. The hilarious Kenneth Connor is on hand to be spooked and a bundle of nervous energy waiting to erupt, when playing the most timid and omen obsessed member of the team. We also have Leslie Phillips, him of the posh voice and wicked smile, as the charming dandy with only ladies on the mind throughout. Kenneth Williams is a right delight; outrageously and amusingly playing the pretentious member of the group, who believes he can spot a criminal from just a look. Such delusions of grandeur and sarcasm are embodied wonderfully by the great gifts of Williams. And of course there is the playful, almost childlike giddiness or Charles Hawtrey to recommend to everyone. Relating to Connor, Phillips, Williams and Hawtrey, you can really feel how comfortable they are in these roles and it shows a lot on screen. I think however that the female cast members are pretty underused in Constable; Joan Sims and Hattie Jacques are both gifted comic actresses, but neither of their roles allows for much of that to come through. It was nice seeing Eric Barker do a gruff and smarmy act as the chief Inspector, who no one has much time for because he doesn’t seem to have a clue about running the station. Shirley Eaton pops up briefly for the glamour and sex appeal, though her and Terence Longdon are not given nearly enough to do to make a dent on the film. Look out for Joan Hickson as a boozy society lady who seems to enjoy getting arrested on a daily basis.

Not vintage Carry On but still a riot of laughter, Carry On Constable has enough comedy and outrageous things to have a ball with.

Carry On Sergeant

Tags

1950's, Bill Owen, Bob Monkhouse, Carry On Movies, Carry On Sergeant, Charles Hawtrey, Comedy, Dora Bryan, Eric Barker, Gerald Thomas, Hattie Jacques, Kenneth Connor, Kenneth Williams, Shirley Eaton, Terence Longdon, William Hartnell

Film Title

Carry On Sergeant

Director

Gerald Thomas

Starring

• William Hartnell as Sergeant Grimshaw
• Bob Monkhouse as Charlie Sage
• Kenneth Connor as Horace Strong
• Kenneth Williams as James Bailey
• Charles Hawtrey as Peter Golightly
• Bill Owen as Corporal Copping
• Eric Barker as Captain Potts
• Terence Longdon as Miles Heywood
• Hattie Jacques as Captain Clark
• Shirley Eaton as Mary Sage
• Dora Bryan as Nora

The first in what would become a long-running franchise and British institution, Carry on Sergeant gives us a good starting point that introduces many of the key players in the series to us and has laughs a plenty. It’s not quite the bawdy movie that many if the later films were, but Sergeant provides you with an amusing story that delights in its own funny way. Let the Carry On Bonanza begin!

Sergeant Grimshaw is retiring from the army, but wants to win in the platoon championship before he hangs his boots up. He bets another officer £50 that he can win platoon of the year and sign off his career with a good swan song. His hopes quickly dip when he sees who is in his squad for National Service, many of whom take inept go a new level. There is handsome Charlie Sage, who is much aggrieved to be called up to service on his wedding day; weedy hypochondriac Horace Strong; smarmy and educated James Bailey; clumsy and effeminate Peter Golightly and upper class dandy Miles Heywood. With his second in command helping him, Grimshaw has his work cut out for him. Many pratfalls and mistakes befall them as Grimshaw tries to sign off with dignity and win that bet. He fears that this group will be a disaster and almost resigns himself to the fact that they won’t win. It’s here that the seemingly hopeless recruits decide to buck up and give it their best shot, out of a growing respect for the Sergeant. Meanwhile, Charlie’s wife Mary sneaks into the barracks with hopes of having a proper wedding night, and Horace is pursued by a volunteer named Nora.

Gerald Thomas, who would direct every one of the Carry On movies, has the right, light touch for the humour and performances to take off. He never calls attention to technical areas or showy camerawork, his focus is on the comedy which is delivered splendidly. Sergeant lacks the naughty edge and staples of latter films of the franchise, but it still gives you plenty of laughs with some hilarious set pieces. Among them are the accidental spraying of officers with fire extinguishers, repeated attempts to improve the group that often go pear-shaped and especially various imagined maladies and paranoia of Horace. The send up of the army and National Service is well done, managing to lampoon a respected organisation without demeaning it or completely tearing it to shreds. All in all, it’s a perfectly pleasant and harmless way to spend an hour and a bit. Good humour, great antics of the slapstick and farcical variety and the guarantee to leave you smiling is what you get. What may surprise many however is the fact that the humour is largely innocent here. Sure there is the odd instance of innuendo, but it’s mainly the antics of the inept squad that get the most laughs. And the ending of Sergeant does feature a bit of pathos, which is often a rarity in these films but fits here excellently. The lack of bawdiness is noticeable, but the humour is pretty fun throughout and will raise quite a lot of smiles and laughs from you( unless you have a heart of stone that is.) Some of it is obviously going to be dated given that it’s an old movie, but it’s hard to fault humour and laughs from an amiable cast. A lively score is another welcome addition to the speedy pace of the film and fits the calamities that transpire.

Of course to get laughs and humour to register, you need a good cast. Carry On Sergeant has just that, with various members later becoming staples in the long series. Heading proceedings is a dignified William Hartnell, whose interpretation of the retiring eponymous sergeant is the right blend of firmness and hidden caring. He’s a strict leader, yet not a horrible person despite his misgivings of the team. Bob Monkhouse is pretty good as the head in the clouds recruit, whose primary objective is to have a special night as man and wife with his new bride. Kenneth Connor stands out the most with a hilarious performance as the paranoid hypochondriac and ironically named Horace Strong. Constantly fretting about literally everything he encounters, he elicits pity, sympathy and laughs. Just watching him get worried at the sight of physical practice is enough to have you rolling on the floor. Two other longstanding stalwarts of the franchise are successful as the bumbling and overly gentle Golightly and the scholarly, know it all Bailey. The two men are Charles Hawtrey and Kenneth Williams, who steal many scenes they are in. Bill Owen and Eric Barker shine as officers of different ranks, but both who are concerned and more than a little amused by the spectacle before them. Terence Longdon doesn’t have the biggest or most interesting part, but still has fun playing the ladies man. Hattie Jacques is suitably no-nonsense as the army doctor, who grows impatient with Horace’s many visits to her. Shirley Eaton is the glamour and beauty of the picture, while we have Dora Bryan playing a daffy, wide-eyed woman who falls for the unlikely Horace.

The debut Carry on movie, Sergeant doesn’t have the some of same formula as the rest, mainly in terms of naughty shenanigans. But that shouldn’t detract as the cast( of whom many would return in future entries) and the easy humour of the piece make Carry on Sergeant. And if anything, we have the success of this film to thank for the creation of a much beloved film series.