Displaying items by tag: Richard OSullivan

CARRY ON TEACHER

UK, 1959, 90 minutes, Black and white.

Kenneth Williams, Leslie Phillips, Kenneth Connor, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims, Hattie Jacques, Rosalind Knight, Cyril Chamberlain, Ted Ray, Richard O'Sullivan, Carol White.

Directed by Gerald Thomas.

The third in the Carry on series. With later developments, this is a very light entry into the series, almost G-rated, Norman Hudis, Talbot Rothwell taking over the writing in the early 60s..

The 1950s had seen the popularity of the St Trinians comedies in a girls school. Here is comedy and a boys school. The theme was to be taken up the next year in a rather broader style with Jimmy Edwards and Bottoms Up.

While Sid James was yet to come, the core group of Carry on is present here, the two Kenneth’s, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims and Hattie Jacques. Leslie Phillips appeared in a number of the Carry on films. Ted Ray is the principal of the school, Richard O’Sullivan the mischievous boy, aided by Carol White.

Ted Ray is the principal, wanting to retire, the cheeky boy, Richard O’Sullivan, overhearing, and planning all kinds of sabotage for the visit of an incoming principal played by Leslie Phillips, a psychologist spouting German and certainly no self awareness! Rosalind Knight plays his assistant.

It is mainly an opportunity for the core stars to do their thing, Charles Hawtrey composing and conducting a version of Romeo and Juliet, Kenneth Williams directing, Joan Sims is a sports mistress, Hattie Jacques very keen on the cane, Kenneth Connor as the science master. And some immediate infatuations between some staff and visitors. But, the revelation is a nine – the students upsetting the visitors so that they will not lose the headmaster they like!

A lot of slapstick, pratfalls, situations – and a reminder of British comedy in the 1950s. And, and anticipation of what was to come in the lengthy and popular series.