The medical-based Carry On films always proved to be popular in the series. Carry On Nurse (1959) had topped the British Box Office charts and, surprisingly, even reached the top in America and ran in some cinemas for over two-and-a-half years. Carry On Doctor (1967) was virtually an updated re-make 'Nurse' and became a huge hit too. I have to say Carry On Again Doctor (1969) is my own personal favourite medical caper in the series, though Carry On Matron does come a close second.
In 1971 producer Peter Rogers and director Gerald Thomas decided a return to a hospital setting was what the series needed to recover from the commercial failure of Carry On At Your Convenience. 'Matron' (1971) was made when the series was nearing its peak. The storyline actually had a little more structure to it than previous medical titles in the series, and this gave it a focus.
Sid (Sid James) and his reluctant bunch of petty crooks (Kenneth Cope, Bernard Bresslaw and Bill Maynard) plan to rob a maternity ward of fertility pills that are worth millions abroad. They send in Kenneth Cope in drag posing as a trainee nurse. His identity is soon discovered by Nurse Ball (Barbara Windsor) and very soon they become lovers. It's all the usual predictable gags and corny old British jokes but there is something about the cozy little world of the Carry On's that remains refreshingly timeless.
The formidable Hattie Jacques takes the title role as Matron, who plays this more gently than the usual ferocious stereotype as seen in 'Nurse' and 'Doctor', and brings warmth, likability and grace in to her performance. Matron is in love with Dr. Bernard Cutting (Kenneth Williams) and by the end of the film the pair marry. The on-off affair of Kenneth Williams and Hattie Jacques had emerged in previous entries in the series ('Doctor' and 'Camping') and finally it was concluded in this 'Matron' when they finally made it to the altar. These stalwarts of the series share some classic, delightfully funny scenes.
Kenneth Williams is often hilariously over the top, flamboyant and his usual pompous, supercilious figure of authority, whose blatant paranoia causes much amusement as he fears he may be turning into a woman. So he sets out to woo Hattie Jacques in order to prove his "manhood". Classic stuff! Joan Sims turns up in a lovely cameo here, playing an over-expectant mother who spends all her time in bed, constantly eating and flatly refusing to induce labour. Kenneth Connor plays the impatient father-to-be who spends most of the film pacing up and down in the waiting room shouting orders and being his usual bundle of nerves.
Terry Scott plays the ever-randy doctor, a part that was similar to the character Jim Dale used to play in the previous two medical titles, although less is actually less likable (despite being excellent in other Carry On's)/ He pursues Kenneth Cope relentlessly, not realising that he is in fact a man and not the nurse hes posing as.
The overly effeminate Charles Hawtrey breezes in throughout the film and is as hilarious as ever, although we don't get to see nearly enough of him. His comic partnership with Kenneth Williams is priceless! Check out the scene when Williams begins chasing Hawtrey around the desk! The rest of the cast all get their moments with Sid James playing his usual rogue-like self, yet is calmer than usual (and better for it), Barbara Windsor being as bubbly and lovable as ever, Bernard Bresslaw again playing Sid James dopey sidekick, Patsy Rolands taking a minor supporting role as Kenneth Williams secretary and Jaki Piper playing a young nurse (her last Carry On role).
Carry On Matron is consistently funny and develops well to a fun climax. The scene where the ambulance crashes through into the hospital is actually quite amusing despite its silliness. If you're a fan of this genre of comedy, you'll love it.
Ian Phillips
In 1971 producer Peter Rogers and director Gerald Thomas decided a return to a hospital setting was what the series needed to recover from the commercial failure of Carry On At Your Convenience. 'Matron' (1971) was made when the series was nearing its peak. The storyline actually had a little more structure to it than previous medical titles in the series, and this gave it a focus.
Sid (Sid James) and his reluctant bunch of petty crooks (Kenneth Cope, Bernard Bresslaw and Bill Maynard) plan to rob a maternity ward of fertility pills that are worth millions abroad. They send in Kenneth Cope in drag posing as a trainee nurse. His identity is soon discovered by Nurse Ball (Barbara Windsor) and very soon they become lovers. It's all the usual predictable gags and corny old British jokes but there is something about the cozy little world of the Carry On's that remains refreshingly timeless.
The formidable Hattie Jacques takes the title role as Matron, who plays this more gently than the usual ferocious stereotype as seen in 'Nurse' and 'Doctor', and brings warmth, likability and grace in to her performance. Matron is in love with Dr. Bernard Cutting (Kenneth Williams) and by the end of the film the pair marry. The on-off affair of Kenneth Williams and Hattie Jacques had emerged in previous entries in the series ('Doctor' and 'Camping') and finally it was concluded in this 'Matron' when they finally made it to the altar. These stalwarts of the series share some classic, delightfully funny scenes.
Kenneth Williams is often hilariously over the top, flamboyant and his usual pompous, supercilious figure of authority, whose blatant paranoia causes much amusement as he fears he may be turning into a woman. So he sets out to woo Hattie Jacques in order to prove his "manhood". Classic stuff! Joan Sims turns up in a lovely cameo here, playing an over-expectant mother who spends all her time in bed, constantly eating and flatly refusing to induce labour. Kenneth Connor plays the impatient father-to-be who spends most of the film pacing up and down in the waiting room shouting orders and being his usual bundle of nerves.
Terry Scott plays the ever-randy doctor, a part that was similar to the character Jim Dale used to play in the previous two medical titles, although less is actually less likable (despite being excellent in other Carry On's)/ He pursues Kenneth Cope relentlessly, not realising that he is in fact a man and not the nurse hes posing as.
The overly effeminate Charles Hawtrey breezes in throughout the film and is as hilarious as ever, although we don't get to see nearly enough of him. His comic partnership with Kenneth Williams is priceless! Check out the scene when Williams begins chasing Hawtrey around the desk! The rest of the cast all get their moments with Sid James playing his usual rogue-like self, yet is calmer than usual (and better for it), Barbara Windsor being as bubbly and lovable as ever, Bernard Bresslaw again playing Sid James dopey sidekick, Patsy Rolands taking a minor supporting role as Kenneth Williams secretary and Jaki Piper playing a young nurse (her last Carry On role).
Carry On Matron is consistently funny and develops well to a fun climax. The scene where the ambulance crashes through into the hospital is actually quite amusing despite its silliness. If you're a fan of this genre of comedy, you'll love it.
Ian Phillips