Carry On London to Begin Filming
The 32nd Carry On Film Could Be In Cinemas by the End of 2008
Despite being half a century old, the Carry On films remain immensely popular in Britain and so recent news that the 32nd film in the series, Carry On London, was to finally begin production was met with considerable interest among film critics and fans alike.
History of the Carry On Series
Beginning with Carry On Sergeant in 1958, the Carry On films were a long-running series of low-budget British comedy films made at Pinewood Studios. Still often cited as examples of classic British humour, the Carry On films involved fairly simple plots that were then fleshed out with bawdy jokes, farcical situations and slapstick. The Carry On series proved hugely popular with the British public and there were twenty-nine original films and one compilation film made between 1958 and 1978.
As well as spoofing popular films of the time (Carry On Cleo, for example, being a send-up of Cleopatra starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton), the Carry On films frequently took inspiration from archetypal British institutions and customs, such as the National Health Service, the monarchy, the empire and the behaviour of Brits abroad.
Key to the success of the Carry On films was the roster of actors and actresses who made regular appearances in the films, frequently playing the same kind of character. Perhaps the most well-known of the Carry On regulars were Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey and Barbara Windsor, although Joan Simms, Hattie Jacques, Jim Dale, Bernard Bresslaw and even Frankie Howard all made multiple appearances.
Decline in Popularity
The golden era for the Carry On films was from 1963 to 1974 when Talbot Rothwell was acting as screenwriter for the series. It was during this period that classic films such as Carry On Camping, Carry On Up the Khyber and Carry On Henry were released. Carry On Camping was the standout success of the series and was the highest grossing film in the UK in 1969.
After Talbot Rothwell finished his stint as screenwriter in 1974 the Carry On series took a noticeable downturn in popularity. Not only were the scripts increasingly weak, many of the old favourites had ceased to appear in the films and society as a whole began to expect a more sophisticated level of humour in films.
Reviving the Series
In 1992 (and coinciding with the 500 year anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ arrival in America) an attempt was made to resurrect the series with the production of Carry On Columbus. Unfortunately, Columbus proved to be neither a critical nor a commercial success, resulting in it being the only Carry On made during the nineties.
However, the enduring popularity of the earlier Carry On films made it almost inevitable that further attempts would be made to continue the series.
Carry On London
After much delay and speculation that the series may have finally ground to a halt, it seems that the 32nd Carry On film may be in cinemas before the end of 2008, a fitting tribute to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Carry On films.
Carry On London is said to follow the antics of a fleet of limousine drivers as they attempt to ferry demanding celebrities to the Herberts, the British version of the Oscars. Full casting details are expected to be announced before the summer and it is possible that actors such as Vinnie Jones and Daniella Westbrook, who have been previously linked to the project, may still appear.
With a plot that sounds true to the original spirit of the Carry On films, it is hoped that, despite the production delays, Carry On London may prove a fitting successor to the series.
Sid James in Carry On Up The Jungle
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