A generally amusing comic romp, the 24th feature in this series of British comedies stars the regular gang as a rogues' gallery of characters partaking in a Mediterranean holiday, in a locale dubbed "Elsbels". They all are forced to stay in a tacky place called the Palace Hotel, which isn't even finished yet. No real story follows, but there IS lots of wild, raunchy tomfoolery, complete with characters who often have sex on the brain.
Especially funny are regulars such as Sidney James (as Vic, the pub owner with the roving eye), the constantly mugging Kenneth Williams as the harried trip organizer, and Charles Hawtrey (in his final feature film appearance) as dorky Eustace Tuttle. The younger women (among them, Sally Geeson, Carol Hawkins, and Gail Grainger) are very pleasing to look at; repertory player Barbara Windsor is likewise an outstanding attraction as her assets are exploited at every opportunity.
There are of course some inspired bits, such as the scene in the jail with Grainger knowing just how to get the vacationers out of a jam. Peter Butterworth is hilarious as Pepe, hotel boss who has to perform several duties and has his work cut out for him trying to warn people of imminent disaster when all anybody can think about is getting lucky. While some gags can tend towards the obvious (Stanley Blunt (Kenneth Connor) jumps on a bed and it falls through the floor / ceiling), "Carry On Abroad" serves up some very lively and spirited nonsense.
Seven out of 10.
Especially funny are regulars such as Sidney James (as Vic, the pub owner with the roving eye), the constantly mugging Kenneth Williams as the harried trip organizer, and Charles Hawtrey (in his final feature film appearance) as dorky Eustace Tuttle. The younger women (among them, Sally Geeson, Carol Hawkins, and Gail Grainger) are very pleasing to look at; repertory player Barbara Windsor is likewise an outstanding attraction as her assets are exploited at every opportunity.
There are of course some inspired bits, such as the scene in the jail with Grainger knowing just how to get the vacationers out of a jam. Peter Butterworth is hilarious as Pepe, hotel boss who has to perform several duties and has his work cut out for him trying to warn people of imminent disaster when all anybody can think about is getting lucky. While some gags can tend towards the obvious (Stanley Blunt (Kenneth Connor) jumps on a bed and it falls through the floor / ceiling), "Carry On Abroad" serves up some very lively and spirited nonsense.
Seven out of 10.