batman

I am not an expert but the 'Carry On' films were a long running series of British comedies which ran from the 1950s to the 1990s. The first being 'Carry on Sergeant' the last being 'Carry on Columbus'. They were produced and directed by Peter Rogers and Gerald Thomas and the most famous writer involved was Talbot Rothwell. They featured their own 'repertory' company of actors such as Sid James, Kenneth Williams and Hattie Jacques. These and many other actors played virtually the same character in all the films they appeared in, usually just changing names and jobs, ie doctor, policeman, spy, cowboy, taxi driver etc. They even introduced historical characters such as Henry VIII, Julius Caesar etc. and sometimes parodied other films. Most of them are very funny, particularly the 50s and 60s ones, and very British. Definitely worth watching. My personal favourite .... 'Carry On Constable'.

Bats.

INFAMY INFAMY, THEY'VE ALL GOT IT IN FOR ME

"Do you know why fattries are called fattries .... it's because they are big and people make things in them."

Modular

Without a doubt...

...yes!

Some of us grew up watching these (slightly dubious) slices of 'British culture', and have loved them ever since.

Somehow, watching a Carry On always lifts my mood.

wearysloth

I've tried on several occasions to introduce the charms of the Carry on films to the locals here in the US, generally to no avail. They politely make comparisons to the works of Don Knotts. Carry on Nurse was a modest hit Stateside, and for Follow that Camel, the crew imported Phil Silvers to join the regulars.

Carry On regular, Jim Dale, now has a huge following as the voice of the Harry Potter books on audio.


Kenneth Williams in Carry On Cleo

It probably helps if you grew up with these folk. For my own part I put Carry On Cleo into my top 10 comedies of any variety. The sound effect that acompanies the one-bite-from-my-asp scene generally induces paroxyms.

JohnB_Toronto

Wow! If you've never seen or heard of the Carry-Ons I'd say you're about to have your horizons broadened ... or maybe that should be narrowed, depending on which one you plan to start with .., broadened, narrowed, bent, twisted - something is sure to happen to your horizons.

I've hardly ever see them on TV in North America but most good stores (such as Starstruck) would carry the NTSC box sets. I've seen them in Blockbuster. If you have no luck finding them drop me a private message and we'll see about getting you intiated.

ChristineCB

TimR, Carry On Camping (1969) is sometimes available from on-line rental chains in America. And the 1959 Please Turn Over (also available on Region-1 DVD) is sometimes considered a worthy addition to the Carry-On series because it shares some of that series' earliest writers and actors.

For the most part, the Carry On films aren't available in North America. I suppose their DVD production is restricted because of 9/11 (maybe there's a threat that Carry On DVDs could fly into skyscrapers) or they might drive American voters into electing sex-pervert senators (oops! too late).

Honestly, I have no idea. They will say, "They're not popular in the States" as if keeping Dudley Moore, Peter Sellers and Alec Guinness out of North America would have ensured THEIR popularity. I don't understand it - when they're seen, they're enjoyed.

essaljay

It is a great shame that the USA are'nt familiar with "carry on" films. Although they varied in comedic value they were always good for a laugh. My own personal favourites were the earlier black & white titles but they all had their good points. It seems a shame that these can't get air time but Benny Hill had no such problems. I know which ones I'd prefer to see.
Also on previous threads there is a mention of "carry on London" is this a new film? I'm confused because the cast were at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London in the '70's in a revue with the same title. I was fortunate enough to see it three times.

Modular

Indeed, but the production has now been knocked on the head.

NappieB

TimR - bit of trivia for you here: During the decade of the 60s, the James Bond films were second only to the Carry On films in terms of box office receipts!

"The future is yet to come" - George W. Bush

TimR

Thanks for the information Bats. This gets me started on my search.

TimR

Those are always good to have readily available - mood-lifting comedies. There are several British comedies that are useful for that - "The Happiest Days of Your Life" and the "Belles of St. Trinian's" series and several television shows. Thanks for the feedback.

TimR

That "Carry on Cleo" looks like a spoof of Cleopatra. I know Jim Dale from the stage - very talented.

That's interesting that you have attempted to introduce them here, but without success so far. My experience is that British comedies in general receive mixed responses.

It's difficult to know what will succeed. For example, "Are You Being Served" and "Keeping Up Appearances" were both great successes here; for years they were on every night on television, but "'Allo, 'Allo" didn't find an audience. But when they do succeed, they develop a committed audience - "Fawlty Towers" and "Benny Hill" are other good examples.

TimR

Sounds good to me! I can't say I wasn't warned...

Thanks - I'll be searching in the coming days. I really don't know what might be available. I had never even heard of them until today!

TimR

Benny Hill has a large following here - although there are people who cannot stand him and that type of comedy. I don't think it's a unique response to British humor, though. The same people who don't like him also don't like the Three Stooges (I know - very different - but the same knockabout humor...)

Usually British shows start slowly, appearing on public television channels. They are allowed to find an audience. Films are obviously longer than television comedies: perhaps that is why they have never been tried.

I remember hearing the producers of "Are You Being Served" saying they had been certain the humor was much too specifically British, and American audiences would never understand it. It is true that there are some references I was not sure about (I remember a scene where Mrs. Slocombe in AYBS said she worked as a "nippy" during World War II. I still don't know what that is - and no one I know has any idea either. But it got a big laugh from the TV audience!) But that doesn't interfere with the enjoyment of the material.

TimR

Interesting piece of data. That helps explain why there are so many of them (even more than I had first thought) and why so many people here on the forum know them so well!

harryfielder

Carry On's and Bonds all made at Pinewood studios

Aitch,

http://www.turnipnet.com/aitch/aitch/gallery.htm