This "Carry on" as other writers have noted has no plot but that does not detract at all from enjoying it because its like a series of delightfully funny sketches. Lets face it plot was never very important in this series any way. The sketches are fun. Some of course are more successful than others but there are moments in this Carry on that are simply priceless. One problem is the usual weak link in the series, Kenneth Connor. The producers must have been very fond of him because he is always given more to do than the others. The 39 steps send up is dull. He annoys me. It is not that he is a bad actor, far from it its that the characters he played do not hold up today. He is not quite as annoying as I usually found him and his scene with the great Finella Fielding is a joy. This wonderful actress graced the screen when ever we saw her. I wonder if she always played this character because she did it to perfection. What a brilliant actress! There are plenty of other great performers in this movie. Australians will recognise June Jago a small role and the great Ed Devereaux in an all all too short appearance as an insanely jealous husband. Of course the more one reads about the great Charles Hawtrey makes one wonder what was really going on in his mind in that scene with the incredibly cute boxer who strains his finger. Hawtrey is in great form here. Kenneth Williams is brilliant and he gives one of his best. The chimp scene is lovely and that little animal gives a great performance too. I hope there was no cruelty to the beautiful creature, one worries about these early films. Sid James is nicely restrained. Fine old actors like Esma Cannon and Joan Hickson are as always brilliant and although Hatti Jaques only has a small role, she lifts the film as always. The Joan Sims drunk scene is a master piece. She was always a winner. The scene when we are meant to be convinced she is fat does not work. I find her very attractive. This is one of her very best. The best performance comes from gobbledegook talker Stanley Unwin. I don't know how he does it but I have not laughed so much in a while. Esma Cannon's reaction to him are hilarious. A fun movie. For me it gets an 8.I must say it is Unwin who steals the film... remarkable and what an incredible gift. I cannot do it nor can many people.
Review of Carry on Regardless
