Displaying items by tag: Julian Holloway

CARRY ON CAMPING

UK, 1969, 88 minutes, Colour.

Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims, Terry Scott, Barbara Windsor, Hattie Jacques, Bernard Bresslaw, Julian Holloway, Dilys Laye, Peter Butterworth, Betty Marsden, Trisha Noble.

Directed by Gerald Thomas.

By this time, the Carry On series had been going for over a decade, with small black and white, it is to cover comedies and strong popularity, not only in the UK but overseas – but, not so much in the United States.

A great number of bloggers on the IMDb considered as one of the best of the Carry on series.

For this reviewer, it seemed one of the weakest. It is 1969, the film opens with an extensive coverage of a nudist film, something of a breakthrough for mainstream films in the late 1960s (not a feature of popular comedies from the US). It is take for granted that there will be sex jokes and references, innuendo, objects recycled, obvious is… And that is certainly the case here. However, this to be more of a leering turn their in many of the other films, Sid James being particularly ogling and leering here.

One of the advantages of the film is that so many of the regular cast are present. A very sympathetic presences, especially Joan Sims and Bernard Breslau (always putting his foot in it as since good friend). And, there is the young Barbara Windsor – exactly and inhibited presence on screen. Hattie Jacques is serious, even in a comedy and Kenneth Williams is always himself. Many might find Charles Hawtrey very irritating this time round and there are troubles between Terry Scott Betty Marston as his non-listening falling wife.

It would be interesting to see a feminist review of Carry on Camping and its presentation of the objectification of women, especially young women, this comedy presentation of the male gaze with Sid James’s line: what are the young women always there where I’m staring!

And, with the ending the people gathering for music Festival, remembering that 1969 was the year of Woodstock – although the oldies and regulars from the Carry on films are against the festival and oust everyone.

CARRY ON UP THE KHYBER

UK, 1968, 95 minutes, Colour.

Sidney James, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Roy Castle, Joan Sims, Bernard Bresslaw, Peter Butterworth, Terry Scott, Angela Douglas, Cardew Robinson, Julian Holloway, Peter Gilmore.

Directed by Gerald Thomas.

By 1968, the Carry on series had been popular for 10 years – and there were more than 10 years more to come.

For devotees of the series, this is considered one of the best, with some plot borrowed from the many stories of British presence in India, uprisings, British stiff upper lip… And plenty of the humour associated with the series.

For those who are beginning to dislike the series, put it down, it is considered one of the worst.

 While the setup has its background of humour, Sid James as the British representative, Sir Ruff-Diamond, and Joan Sims as his pompously silly wife, various officials…, there are problems at the Khyber pass, Kenneth Williams as the local chief, doing his usual, Bernard Bresslaw with his name punning on Gunga din, wanting to oust the British.

Critics say that the basic premise is infantile. Rather, it is the kind of joking of young boys. The regiment protecting the past is the Foot and Mouth regiment, wearing kilts. And, the whole situation is whether somebody wears underpants or not, regulation say not, Charles Hwtrey doing his usual stick is found wearing underpants and a photo taken to be used with the locals to show they should not fear the British.

This joke continues throughout the film, poking fun at the British, especially the Sergeant Major played by Terry Scott.

There is a huge bombardment sequence at the end while the British sit at their table, enjoying their lavish meal, everything being shot up around them, including the orchestra who has been playing and, after their being shot at, getting up to continue playing, the only person noticing the damage is the fake religious preacher played by Peter Butterworth.

And, what is the strategy for finally defeating the uprising, the kilted men all lining up at the moment of ceasefire, raising their kilts and the Indians running for the hills.