Carry On Emmannuelle – 1978 | 88mins | Comedy | Colour

Plot Synopsis

It was back to basics in more ways than one with this, the final film in the linear 20-year run of the original series. It’s a return to innocent sexual banter and tongue-in-cheek innuendo; even though sex makes up the bulk of the film’s plot it is treated with comic awareness and not smutty leering. The film returns to the tried and tested corny gags and enjoyably larger-than-life performances from its experienced team.

Kenneth Williams minces around the production as a ferociously camp, impotent and flagrantly over-the-top French ambassador, giving a stunning star performance complete with appalling gags and overplayed continental angst. Williams goes into overdrive, throwing innuendo-encrusted lines all over the place, resurrecting the snake sequence from jungle and spending the majority of the film in limp-wristed mode. Only at the close does he successfully re-bed his delicious wife and partake in the joyous fun and games with his old colleagues.

Suzanne Danielle is certainly the ideal Emmannuelle and gives an impressive and stylish performance, swaying gracefully through the over-the-top camp and innuendo with a delightfully casual attitude to her flamboyant sexual activities. However, the real heart of the film is provided by Williams’ class-aware, sexually open below-stairs staff. While Danielle gradually sleeps her way across London, the comic sparring and perfectly-timed innuendo from the staff is inspired – not surprising, when they are made up of four Carry On survivors from the golden age: Kenneth Connor, Peter Butterworth, Joan Sims and Jack Douglas. Sims as a po-faced, stern, anti-fun figure who eventually throws herself into sexual enjoyment. Peter Butterworth shuffles around the place in an inspired portrayal of dithering old age, struggling to hear and see the action going on around him, while Jack Douglas gives his finest film performance as the upright figure of authority, Lyons the butler.

Thus, all the best moments come with the experienced comic banter between the four Carry On servants, even when they drag through a lengthy re-examination of their favourite amorous experiences! Parts are so gloriously awful that they make you shudder, but the performances enhance the sub-Rothwellian innuendo with endearing characters and richly delivered dialogue. The audience knows it’s in good company, gamefully playing the game for the last time and having a ball.

Review© Robert Ross: Carry On Companion.