Displaying items by tag: Harry H Corbett

CARRY ON SCREAMING

UK, 1966, 97 minutes, Colour.

Harry H. Corbett, Fenella Fielding, Kenneth Williams, Jim Dale, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims, Angela Douglas, Bernard Bresslaw, Peter Butterworth, Jon Pertwee, Tom Clegg, Billy Cornelius, Frank Thornton.

Directed by Gerald Thomas.

With the growing propensity for the Carry on films to parody classic stories, it was inevitable that there would be a horror film. But, no Sid James, no Kenneth Connor.

By this stage, writer, Talbot Rothwell, was in his element. Basically, this story is a Frankenstein variation, Kenneth Williams enjoying himself with his repartee and shtick as a scientist, dead, but like his monsters, electrified into life. And, he has two monsters and a drink which can temporarily change heroes into monsters. And he is aided and abetted by the strong presence of Fenella Fielding as his sister, very much in the Morticia Addams look vein.

The rather unsympathetic hero is played by Harry H. Corbett, of Steptoe and Son. He could have been played by Kenneth Connor. And, there is Joan Sims as his harridqn wife, a parallel to her turn in Carry on Matron. And, just before the end, she has the final wink.

Jim Dale is the put-upon hero. Charles  Hawtrey has a small role. But, regular, Peter Butterworth, has a more substantial turn in this film as Corbett’s assistant and having to dress as a woman as bait for the monsters. And Bernard Bresdlaw is the undead butler. Frank Thornton, anticipating Are You Being Served, his shop manager.

All the usual shenanigans – and the film has a high reputation amongst the Carry on series.

SILVER DREAM RACER

UK, 1980, 101 minutes, colour.

David Essex , Beau Bridges, Christina Raines, Clarke Peters, Harry H. Corbett, Diane Keane, Lee Montague, T.P. McKenna.

Directed by David Wickes.

Silver Dream Racer is a star vehicle for popular singer of the period, David Essex. He contributes to the score and to the central song which was very popular.

Direction is by David Wickes who had specialised in television more than films for cinema, directing the series The Sweeney as well as the film version. In the 90s he continued in television with some touches of horror with Jack the Ripper, Frankenstein, Jekyll and Hyde.

The story is fairly conventional, an older brother expert with bikes, his death, the younger brother stepping into his place, the family background and relationships, rivalry with an American rider played by Beau Bridges. There is a strong British supporting cast.

However, the main focus of the film is on the racing, footage taken at the Grand Prix of 1979 and incorporated into the film.

1. A sports film? Personal interactions film? The conventions, the quality?
2. British production, pro-British, the rivalry with the US? The stars, David Essex, singer, actor? The British supporting cast? American stars?
3. Effective photography, actual footage from the Grand Prix? Special effects and atmosphere?
4. The musical score, David Essex and his reputation, the song?
5. The prologue, Nick, his brother, working on the bike, his death? Skill, challenge, the horror of death?
6. Nick as a character, his family and relationships, training, in honour of his brother, finding the bike? His brother’s work? Speed, skills, the international atmosphere, Cider and his work, the support team?
7. The background, garages, designing, finance, deals, racing, challenge?
8. David Essex as Nick, Beau Bridges as Bruce, the rivalry, the clash, the contrasts, the women, relationships? The race, the techniques, the manoeuvres, the ending?
9. The family background, Nick at home, Carol, going out, encounters with Bruce, anti-American stances, emotional relationships?
10. The main focus on characters, on the race, rivalries – and the drama of the actual racing footage?