The Carry On Christmas Specials were four one-off specials produced for Thames Television made in 1969, 1970, 1972 and 1973. They brought most of the cast and the formula of the Carry On films to a television production. Barbara Windsor was the only one to appear in all four Carry On Christmas specials. Kenneth Williams (who appeared in twenty-six Carry On films, the most of any of the Carry On stars) did not appear in any of the Christmas specials.
The first special, Carry On Christmas, was broadcast in 1969. It was filmed shortly after the completion of Carry on Up the Jungle and featured the same main cast from that film. It was scripted by long-term Carry On author Talbot Rothwell. The story was an irreverent take on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol , featuring Sid James as Scrooge. The 'Christmas Past' sequence reveals that Scrooge failed to invest in the schemes of Dr. Frank N. Stein, who (assisted by his servant, Count Dracula) sought to create a mate for Barbara Windsor's Monster. The 'Christmas Present' sequence described Robert Browning's difficulties in attempting to elope with Elizabeth Barrett without funds, thanks to Scrooge's unwillingness to lend. The 'Christmas Future' sequence retold the story of Cinderella.
Starring | Roles |
---|---|
Sid James | Ebenezer Scrooge |
Terry Scott | Dr Frank N Stein, Convent Girl, Mr Barrett, Baggie |
Charles Hawtrey | Spirit of Christmas Past, Angel, Convent Girl, Buttons |
Hattie Jacques | Elizabeth Barrett, Nun, Passer-by |
Barbara Windsor | Cinderella, Fanny, Spirit of Christmas Present |
Peter Butterworth | Count Dracula, Beggar, Convent Girl, Haggie |
Bernard Bresslaw | Bob Cratchit, Frankenstein's Monster, Spirit of Christmas Future, Convent Girl, Town Crier, Policeman |
Frankie Howerd | Robert Browning, Fairy Godmother |
The second special, Carry On Again Christmas, was shown the following year. Rothwell did not script this episode, but Sid Colin, who had co-written Carry On Spying with Rothwell, wrote the episode with Dave Freeman, who would go on to script Carry On Behind , several episodes of the Carry On Laughing television series, and was the co-writer of the 1992 film, Carry On Columbus . Based on the Robert Louis Stevenson story Treasure Island , this episode saw the Carry on debut of Wendy Richard, who would go on to have small roles in Carry On Matron and Carry On Girls .
Although the 1969 special was broadcast in colour, the 1970 special was shown in black and white due to a technicians' strikes that caused Thames Television to broadcast all their Christmas shows that year in black and white.
Starring | Roles |
---|---|
Sid James | Long John Sil |
Terry Scott | Squire Treyhornay |
Charles Hawtrey | Old Blind Pew, Night Watchman, Nipper the Flipper |
Kenneth Connor | Dr Livershake |
Barbara Windsor | Jim Hawkins |
Bernard Bresslaw | Rollicky Bill |
Bob Todd | Ben Gunn, Shipmate |
Wendy Richard | Kate |
In 1972 a new Christmas special was produced, entitled Carry On Christmas (or Carry On Stuffing). Talbot Rothwell became ill whilst writing the script, and was unable to finish it. Dave Freeman had to be brought in to complete the script, but the two men did not work together. Charles Hawtrey pulled out of the special at short notice. Having taken third billing to Sid James and Terry Scott in the previous two shows, and knowing they would both be absent, Hawtrey demanded top billing. But Carry On producer Peter Rogers refused, giving top billing to Hattie Jacques instead. Hawtrey's role had hastily to be recast, and was split between Norman Rossington and Brian Oulton, both of whom had played cameo roles in several Carry On films. The special featured a collection of historical sketches, loosely linked around an 18th-century banquet.
It included a performance of two madrigals originally written for Carry On Henry . [1] The songs reappeared in the 1973 stage show Carry On London . [1]
Starring | Roles |
---|---|
Hattie Jacques | Maid, Miss Molly Coddle, Lady Fiona, Harriet, The Good Fairy |
Joan Sims | Maid, Lady Rhoda Cockhorse, Mother, Esmeralda, Princess YoYo |
Barbara Windsor | Maid, Eve, Virginia, Aladdin |
Kenneth Connor | Sir Henry, Lieutenant Banghem, Hanky Poo |
Peter Butterworth | Sir Francis Fiddler, Captain Dripping, Lieutenant Trembler, Hole in One |
Jack Douglas | Mr Perkin, Adam, Tomkins, Ringworm, King of the Underworld |
Norman Rossington | General Sir Ffingham Clodhopper, Genie |
Brian Oulton | Oriental Orator |
Billy Cornelius | Waiter |
Valerie Leon | Serving Wench |
Valerie Stanton | Demon King's Vision |
For the final original Christmas special, writer Talbot Rothwell returned, as did Sid James. In a modern-day setting, it features Sid James as a department store Father Christmas, whose out-of-character behaviour puts him at odds with the store manager. James also introduces sketches set in Christmases past, and a "Carry On" ballet performance.
Starring | Roles |
---|---|
Sid James | Sid Belcher (Santa), Seedpod, Sir Henry, Sergeant Ball, Robin Hood |
Joan Sims | Mother, Sennapod, Bishop's Wife, Adelle, Salvation Army Woman, Maid Marion, Traffic Warden |
Barbara Windsor | Virginia, Crompet, Lady Frances, Fifi |
Kenneth Connor | Shop Manager, Anthro Pod, The Bishop, Private Parkin, Will Scarlet |
Peter Butterworth | Carol Singer (2001 BC), Old Man, Darts Player, 2nd German Soldier, Friar Tuck |
Bernard Bresslaw | Peapod, Camp Aristocrat, Darts Player, Captain Ffingburgh, Much, Policeman |
Jack Douglas | Carol Singer (2001 BC), Crapper, 1st German Soldier, Ballad Singer |
Julian Holloway | Captain Rose |
Laraine Humphrys | Bed Customer |
Kenneth Williams and Barbara Windsor introduce some of the funniest moments from the later Carry On films, in a format very similar to the film That's Carry On! .
In 2005, the first four specials were released on DVD, featuring interviews with series producer Peter Rogers and stars Jack Douglas and Wendy Richard.
Carry On is a British comedy franchise comprising 31 films, four Christmas specials, a television series and stage shows produced between 1958 and 1992. Produced by Peter Rogers, the Carry On films were directed by Gerald Thomas and starred a regular ensemble that included Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims, Kenneth Connor, Peter Butterworth, Hattie Jacques, Terry Scott, Bernard Bresslaw, Barbara Windsor, Jack Douglas, and Jim Dale. The humour of Carry On was in the British comic tradition of music hall and bawdy seaside postcards. The success of the films led to several spin-offs, including four Christmas television specials (1969–1973), a 1975 television series of 13 episodes, a West End stage show and two provincial summer shows.
Up Pompeii! is a British television comedy series set in ancient Pompeii and broadcast between 1969 and 1970, starring Frankie Howerd. The first series was written by Talbot Rothwell, a scriptwriter for the Carry On films, and the second series by Rothwell and Sid Colin. Two later specials were transmitted in 1975 and 1991 and a film adaptation was released in 1971.
Carry On Again Doctor is a 1969 British comedy film, the 18th release in the series of 31 Carry On films (1958–1992). It was released in December 1969 and was the third to feature a medical theme. The film features series regulars Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims, Barbara Windsor and Hattie Jacques. This was Jim Dale's last Carry On appearance for 23 years until his return in Carry On Columbus. It also marks the debut of Patsy Rowlands to the series in her first of 9 appearances. Alongside James, Rowlands who also appears in the ITV sitcom Bless This House from 1971 to 1976. The film was followed by Carry On Up the Jungle in 1970.
Peter William Shorrocks Butterworth was a British actor and comedian best known for his appearances in the Carry On film series. He was also a regular on children's television and radio. Butterworth was married to actress and impressionist Janet Brown.
George Frederick Joffre Hartree, known as Charles Hawtrey, was an English actor, comedian, singer, pianist and theatre director.
Carry On Up the Khyber is a 1968 British comedy film, the 16th in the series of 31 Carry On films (1958–1992). It stars Carry On regulars Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims, Bernard Bresslaw and Peter Butterworth. It is the second of two Carry On film appearances by Wanda Ventham; and Roy Castle makes his only Carry On appearance, in the romantic male lead part usually played by Jim Dale.
Carry On Camping is a 1969 British comedy film, the 17th release in the series of 31 Carry On films (1958–1992). It features series regulars Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims, Terry Scott, Hattie Jacques, Barbara Windsor, Bernard Bresslaw, Dilys Laye and Peter Butterworth. The film was followed by Carry On Again Doctor 1969.
Carry On Abroad is a 1972 British comedy film directed by Gerald Thomas, the 24th release in the series of 31 Carry On films (1958–1992). The film features series regulars Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Joan Sims, Bernard Bresslaw, Barbara Windsor, Kenneth Connor, Peter Butterworth and Hattie Jacques. It was the 23rd and final Carry On appearance for Charles Hawtrey. June Whitfield returned after appearing in Carry On Nurse 13 years earlier. Jimmy Logan and Carol Hawkins made their first of two appearances in the series.
Carry On Girls is a 1973 British comedy film, the 25th release in the series of 31 Carry On films (1958–1992). The film features regulars Sid James, Barbara Windsor, Joan Sims, Kenneth Connor, Bernard Bresslaw and Peter Butterworth. This Carry On featured neither Kenneth Williams nor Charles Hawtrey; Williams was unavailable because of stage commitments and Hawtrey had been dropped from the series.
Carry On Cabby is a 1963 British comedy film, the seventh in the series of thirty-one Carry On films (1958–1992). Released on 7 November 1963, it was the first to have a screenplay written by Talbot Rothwell from a story by Dick Hills and Sid Green. Regulars Sid James, Hattie Jacques, Kenneth Connor and Charles Hawtrey are all present. Liz Fraser makes her third appearance and both Bill Owen and Esma Cannon make their final appearances. This was the first film in the series to feature Carry On regular Jim Dale, and the first not to feature Kenneth Williams in the cast. Williams turned down the role of Allbright due to what he considered an inferior script. The part was scaled down, and given to Norman Chappell.
Carry On Laughing is a British television comedy series produced in 1975 for ATV. Based on the Carry On films, it was an attempt to address the films' declining cinema attendance by transferring the franchise to television. Many of the original cast members were featured in the series.
Carry On Up the Jungle is a 1970 British adventure comedy film, the 19th release in the series of 31 Carry On films (1958–1992). The film marked Frankie Howerd's second and final appearance in the series. He stars alongside regular players Sid James, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims, Terry Scott and Bernard Bresslaw. Kenneth Connor returns to the series for the first time since Carry On Cleo six years earlier and would now feature in almost every entry up to Carry On Emmannuelle in 1978. Jacki Piper makes the first of her four appearances in the series. This movie is a send-up of the classic Tarzan films. It features an unusually dark tone for the series, as the protagonists are faced with certain death after they are apprehended by a cannibalistic tribe in the jungle. The film was followed by Carry On Loving 1970.
Carry On Henry is a 1971 British historical comedy film, the 21st release in the series of 31 Carry On films (1958–1992). It tells a fictionalised story involving Sid James as Henry VIII, who chases after Barbara Windsor's character Bettina. James and Windsor feature alongside other regulars Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims, Terry Scott and Kenneth Connor. This was the first time that Williams and Connor appeared together since Carry On Cleo seven years previously. The original alternative title was to be Anne of a Thousand Lays, a pun on the Richard Burton film Anne of the Thousand Days, and Sid James wears exactly the same cloak that Burton wore in that film. Harry Secombe was considered for Henry VIII when it appeared that Sid James might not have been available due to possible stage commitments. James was making a lengthy appearance in South Africa which was cut down when he heard he was wanted for the film and arrived back in time for the second day of shooting.
Sid Colin was an English scriptwriter, working for radio, television and the cinema. He is best remembered for creating the television comedy The Army Game (1957–1959) and writing for Up Pompeii! (1969–1970), as well as films including Carry On Spying and Percy's Progress. He occasionally collaborated with regular Carry On series writer Talbot Rothwell. Earlier in his career, he was a musician and occasional lyricist.
Carry On Matron is a 1972 British comedy film, the 23rd release in the series of 31 Carry On films (1958–1992). It was released in May 1972. It was directed by Gerald Thomas and features series regulars Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims, Hattie Jacques, Bernard Bresslaw, Barbara Windsor and Kenneth Connor. This was the last Carry on... film for Terry Scott after appearing in seven films. Carry On Matron was the second and last Carry On... for Kenneth Cope.
Patricia Franklin is an English actress best known for her roles in five Carry On films.
Cor, Blimey! is a 2000 TV film that follows the relationship between Carry On film actors Sid James and Barbara Windsor.
Christmas Night with the Stars is a television show broadcast each Christmas night by the BBC from 1958 to 1972. The show was hosted each year by a leading star of BBC TV and featured specially-made short seasonal editions of the previous year's most successful BBC sitcoms and light entertainment programmes. Most of the variety segments no longer exist in accordance with the BBC's practice of discarding programmes at the time.
The Carry On series is a long-running British sequence of comedy films, stage shows and television programmes produced between 1958 and 1992. Distributed by Anglo-Amalgamated from 1958 to 1966, and the Rank Organisation from 1967 to 1978, the films were all made at Pinewood Studios. The series' humour relied largely on innuendo and double entendre. There were thirty-one films, four TV Christmas specials, one television series of thirteen episodes, and three West End and provincial stage plays, all made on time and to a strict budget.