''Carry On Emmannuelle'' is a 1978
British comedy film, the 30th release in the
series of 31 ''Carry On'' films (1958–1992). The film was to be the final ''Carry On'' for many regulars, including
Kenneth Williams
Kenneth Charles Williams (22 February 1926 – 15 April 1988) was an English actor of Welsh heritage. He was best known for his comedy roles and in later life as a raconteur and diarist. He was one of the main ensemble in 26 of the 31 '' ...
(in his 26th ''Carry On''),
Kenneth Connor
Kenneth Connor, (6 June 1918 – 28 November 1993) was a British stage, film and broadcasting actor, who rose to national prominence with his appearances in the ''Carry On'' films.
Early life
Connor was born in Highbury, Islington, London ...
(in his 17th),
Joan Sims
Irene Joan Marion Sims (9 May 1930 – 27 June 2001) was an English actress, best remembered for her roles in the ''Carry On'' franchise, appearing in 24 of the films (the most for any actress).
On television, she is known for playing Gran i ...
(in her 24th) and
(in his 16th).
Jack Douglas is the only regular from this film to bridge the gap to ''Carry On Columbus''.
Beryl Reid
Beryl Elizabeth Reid, (17 June 1919 – 13 October 1996), was a British actress of stage and screen. She won the 1967 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for ''The Killing of Sister George'', the 1980 Olivier Award for Best Comedy Performan ...
,
Henry McGee
''For the American businessman and academic, see Henry W. McGee.''
Henry James Marris-McGee (14 May 1929 – 28 January 2006) was a British actor, best known as straight man to Benny Hill for many years. McGee was also often the announce ...
and
Suzanne Danielle
Suzanne Danielle (nee Morris; born 14 January 1957) is an English former film and television actress.
Career
Danielle trained as a dancer at the Bush Davies School of Theatre Arts in her home town of Romford in Essex, and also attended Bedford ...
make their only appearances in the series here. The film featured a change in style, becoming more openly sexual and explicit. This was highlighted by the implied behaviour of Danielle's character, though she does not bare any more flesh than any other ''Carry On'' female lead. These changes brought the film closer to the then popular series of X-rated ''
Confessions...'' comedies, or indeed the actual ''
Emmanuelle
Emmanuelle is the lead character in a series of French erotic films based on the main character in the novel '' Emmanuelle'' (1959), created by Emmanuelle Arsan.
Character history
Emmanuelle appeared as the pen name of Marayat Rollet-Andri ...
'' films that it parodies. This film, as well as the original cut of ''
Carry On England'' were the only films in the series to be certified
AA by the
British Board of Film Censors
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC, previously the British Board of Film Censors) is a non-governmental organization, non-governmental organisation founded by the British film industry in 1912 and responsible for the national clas ...
, which restricted audiences to those aged 14 and over.
Plot
Emmannuelle Prévert (
Suzanne Danielle
Suzanne Danielle (nee Morris; born 14 January 1957) is an English former film and television actress.
Career
Danielle trained as a dancer at the Bush Davies School of Theatre Arts in her home town of Romford in Essex, and also attended Bedford ...
) relieves the boredom of a flight on
Concorde
The Aérospatiale/BAC Concorde () is a retired Franco-British supersonic airliner jointly developed and manufactured by Sud Aviation (later Aérospatiale) and the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC).
Studies started in 1954, and France an ...
by seducing timid Theodore Valentine (
Larry Dann
Larry Dann (born 15 May 1941 in London, England) is a British film and television actor.
His acting career began by a fluke, with "a chance knock at the door looking for kids to work in films." He made his film debut age five in '' Adam and Evely ...
). She returns home to London to surprise her husband, the French ambassador, Émile Prevert (
Kenneth Williams
Kenneth Charles Williams (22 February 1926 – 15 April 1988) was an English actor of Welsh heritage. He was best known for his comedy roles and in later life as a raconteur and diarist. He was one of the main ensemble in 26 of the 31 '' ...
) but first surprises the butler, Lyons (
Jack Douglas). He removes her coat, only to find that she has left her dress on the aircraft. The chauffeur, Leyland (
Kenneth Connor
Kenneth Connor, (6 June 1918 – 28 November 1993) was a British stage, film and broadcasting actor, who rose to national prominence with his appearances in the ''Carry On'' films.
Early life
Connor was born in Highbury, Islington, London ...
), housekeeper, Mrs Dangle (
Joan Sims
Irene Joan Marion Sims (9 May 1930 – 27 June 2001) was an English actress, best remembered for her roles in the ''Carry On'' franchise, appearing in 24 of the films (the most for any actress).
On television, she is known for playing Gran i ...
), and aged boot-boy, Richmond (
), sense saucy times ahead… and they are right! Émile is dedicated to his bodybuilding, leaving a sexually frustrated Emmannuelle to find pleasure with everyone from the Lord Chief Justice (
Llewellyn Rees
Walter Llewellyn Rees (18 June 1901 – 7 January 1994) was an English actor.
Career
His television roles included appearances on ''Doctor Who'' (in the serial '' The Deadly Assassin'' (1976) playing the assassinated Time Lord President), '' T ...
) to chat show host, Harold Hump (
Henry McGee
''For the American businessman and academic, see Henry W. McGee.''
Henry James Marris-McGee (14 May 1929 – 28 January 2006) was a British actor, best known as straight man to Benny Hill for many years. McGee was also often the announce ...
). Theodore is spurned by Emmannuelle, who has genuinely forgotten their airborne encounter, and, despite reassurances from his mother (
Beryl Reid
Beryl Elizabeth Reid, (17 June 1919 – 13 October 1996), was a British actress of stage and screen. She won the 1967 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for ''The Killing of Sister George'', the 1980 Olivier Award for Best Comedy Performan ...
), exacts revenge by revealing Emmannuelle's antics to the press. However, after a visit to her doctor (
Albert Moses
Albert Moses, KStJ (19 December 1937 – 15 September 2017) was a Sri Lankan actor based in the United Kingdom. He is best known for playing the role of Ranjeet Singh, a student in Jeremy Brown's EFL class in the popular British sitcom '' Mind Y ...
), she discovers that she is pregnant and decides to settle down to a faithful marriage with Émile… and dozens of children.
Cast
*
Kenneth Williams
Kenneth Charles Williams (22 February 1926 – 15 April 1988) was an English actor of Welsh heritage. He was best known for his comedy roles and in later life as a raconteur and diarist. He was one of the main ensemble in 26 of the 31 '' ...
as Émile Prévert
*
Suzanne Danielle
Suzanne Danielle (nee Morris; born 14 January 1957) is an English former film and television actress.
Career
Danielle trained as a dancer at the Bush Davies School of Theatre Arts in her home town of Romford in Essex, and also attended Bedford ...
as Emmannuelle Prévert
*
Kenneth Connor
Kenneth Connor, (6 June 1918 – 28 November 1993) was a British stage, film and broadcasting actor, who rose to national prominence with his appearances in the ''Carry On'' films.
Early life
Connor was born in Highbury, Islington, London ...
as Leyland
*
Jack Douglas as Lyons
*
Joan Sims
Irene Joan Marion Sims (9 May 1930 – 27 June 2001) was an English actress, best remembered for her roles in the ''Carry On'' franchise, appearing in 24 of the films (the most for any actress).
On television, she is known for playing Gran i ...
as Mrs. Dangle
*
as Richmond
*
Larry Dann
Larry Dann (born 15 May 1941 in London, England) is a British film and television actor.
His acting career began by a fluke, with "a chance knock at the door looking for kids to work in films." He made his film debut age five in '' Adam and Evely ...
as Theodore Valentine
*
Beryl Reid
Beryl Elizabeth Reid, (17 June 1919 – 13 October 1996), was a British actress of stage and screen. She won the 1967 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for ''The Killing of Sister George'', the 1980 Olivier Award for Best Comedy Performan ...
as Mrs. Valentine
*
Henry McGee
''For the American businessman and academic, see Henry W. McGee.''
Henry James Marris-McGee (14 May 1929 – 28 January 2006) was a British actor, best known as straight man to Benny Hill for many years. McGee was also often the announce ...
as Harold Hump
*
Victor Maddern
Victor Jack Maddern (16 March 1928 – 22 June 1993) was an English actor. He was described by ''The Telegraph'' as having "one of the most distinctive and eloquent faces in post-war British cinema."
Life and career
Born in Seven Kings, ...
as Man in Launderette
*
Dino Shafeek as Immigration Officer
*
Eric Barker
Eric Leslie Barker (12 February 1912 – 1 June 1990) was an English comedy actor. He is most remembered for his roles in the popular British '' Carry On'' films, although he only appeared in the early films in the series, apart from returning ...
as Ancient General
*
Joan Benham Joan may refer to:
People and fictional characters
*Joan (given name), including a list of women, men and fictional characters
*:Joan of Arc, a French military heroine
*Joan (surname)
Weather events
*Tropical Storm Joan (disambiguation), multiple ...
as Cynical Lady
*
Albert Moses
Albert Moses, KStJ (19 December 1937 – 15 September 2017) was a Sri Lankan actor based in the United Kingdom. He is best known for playing the role of Ranjeet Singh, a student in Jeremy Brown's EFL class in the popular British sitcom '' Mind Y ...
as Doctor
*
Robert Dorning
Robert Dorning (13 May 1913 – 21 February 1989) was a musician, dance band vocalist, ballet dancer and stage, film and television actor. He is known to have performed in at least 77 television and film productions between 1940 and 1988.
Origin ...
as Prime Minister
*
Steve Plytas
Phokion Stavros Plytas, known professionally as Steve Plytas (9 January 1913 – 27 December 1994), was a Greek film and television actor based in the United Kingdom.
His stage work included West End appearances in Tennessee Williams' ''The Nig ...
as Arabian Official
*
Michael Nightingale
Alfred George Cyril Michael Nightingale (6 October 1922 – 8 May 1999) was an English stage, film and television actor. He appeared in 13 (9 credited and 4 uncredited) of the ''Carry On'' film series - the tenth highest number of appearan ...
as Police Commissioner
*
Bruce Boa
Andrew Bruce Boa (10 July 1930 – 17 April 2004) was a Canadian actor, who found success playing the token American in British films and television, usually playing military types. Boa's most recognizable film role is in ''The Empire St ...
as U.S. Ambassador
*
Llewellyn Rees
Walter Llewellyn Rees (18 June 1901 – 7 January 1994) was an English actor.
Career
His television roles included appearances on ''Doctor Who'' (in the serial '' The Deadly Assassin'' (1976) playing the assassinated Time Lord President), '' T ...
as Lord Chief Justice
* Jack Lynn as Admiral
*
Claire Davenport
Claire Bernice Davenport (24 April 1933 – 25 February 2002) was an English character actress well known for her large physique.
Life and career
Davenport was born on 24 April 1933 in Sale, Cheshire, and began acting in 1961 with a the ...
as Blonde in Pub
*
Norman Mitchell
Norman Mitchell Driver (27 August 1918 – 19 March 2001), known professionally as Norman Mitchell, was an English television, stage and film actor.
Born in Sheffield, West Riding of Yorkshire, his father was a mining engineer and his mother a ...
as Drunken Husband
* Tricia Newby as Nurse in Surgery
* James Fagan as Concorde Steward
* Malcolm Johns as Sentry
*
Howard Nelson as Harry Hernia
*
Tim Brinton
Timothy Denis Brinton (24 December 1929 – 22 March 2009) was a British broadcaster and Conservative Party (UK), Conservative Party politician. The son of a neurologist, he was educated at Summer Fields School in Summertown, Oxford, Summertown, ...
as BBC Newscaster
*
Corbett Woodall as ITN Newscaster
* Marianne Maskell as Nurse in Hospital
* Louise Burton as Girl at Zoo
*
Gertan Klauber
George Gertan Klauber (5 March 1932 – 1 August 2008) was a British bit part character actor.
Klauber was born in Czechoslovakia, and after training at the Birmingham Theatre School, his stage appearances included with the RSC and the Nat ...
as German Soldier
*
John Carlin as French Parson
* Guy Ward as Dandy
*
John Hallet as Substitute Football Player
* Deborah Brayshaw as French Buxom Blonde
* Suzanna East as Colette
* Bruce Wylie as Football Referee
* Philip Clifton as Injured Footballer
* Stanley McGeagh as Fleet Street Journalist
* Bill Hutchinson as 1st Reporter
* Neville Ware as 2nd Reporter
* Jane Norman as 3rd reporter
* Nick White as Sent-off Footballer
Crew
*Screenplay – Lance Peters
*Music –
Eric Rogers
*Song –
Kenny Lynch
Kenneth Lynch, OBE (18 March 1938 – 18 December 2019) was an English singer, songwriter, entertainer, and actor. He appeared in many variety shows in the 1960s. At the time, he was among the few black singers in British pop music. He was app ...
*Performers – Masterplan
*Director of Photography –
Alan Hume
*Editor – Peter Boita
*Art Director – Jack Sampan
*Production Manager – Roy Goddard
*Camera Operator – Godfrey Godar
*Make-up – Robin Grantham
*Production Executive for Cleves – Donald Langdon
*Assistant Director – Gregory Dark
*Sound Recordists – Danny Daniel & Otto Snel
*Continuity – Marjorie Lavelly
*Wardrobe – Margaret Lewin
*Stills Cameraman – Ken Bray
*Hairdresser – Betty Sherriff
*Costume Designer – Courtenay Elliott
*Set Dresser – John Hoesli
*Assistant Editor – Jack Gardner
*Dubbing Editor – Peter Best
*Titles & Opticals – GSE Ltd
*Processor – Technicolor Ltd
*Producer –
Peter Rogers
Peter Rogers (20 February 1914 – 14 April 2009) was an English film producer. He is best known for his involvement in the making of the ''Carry On'' series of films.
Life and career
Rogers began his career as a journalist for his loc ...
*Director –
Gerald Thomas
Gerald Thomas (10 December 1920 – 9 November 1993) was an English film director, best known for the long-running '' Carry On'' series of British film comedies.
Biography
Born in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England, Thomas was educated i ...
Filming and locations
*Filming dates – 10 April-15 May 1978
Interiors:
*
Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire
Exteriors:
* Wembley, London
* Trafalgar Square, London
* Oxford Street, London
* London Zoo, London
Critical reception
Critical response was universally negative, even more so than ''
Carry on England'' which preceded it, and ''
Carry On Columbus
''Carry On Columbus'' is a 1992 British comedy film, the 31st and final release in the ''Carry On'' film series (1958–1992). The film was a belated entry to the series, following 1978's ''Carry On Emmannuelle''. It was produced to coincide ...
'' which succeeded it 14 years later.
Philip French said of it: "This relentless sequence of badly-written, badly-timed dirty jokes is surely one of the most morally and aesthetically offensive pictures to emerge from a British studio." Christopher Tookey considered the film to be "embarrassingly feeble".
Whilst many other ''Carry Ons'' have continued to be popular, opinions of ''Carry on Emmanuelle'' and its immediate predecessor and successor have not improved over the passing of time, and ''Carry On Emmanuelle'' is universally considered to be the worst film in the series. Tom Cole, writing in the ''
Radio Times'', found it "undignified" and "laugh-free", noting that the ''
Lolita''-esque performance of Suzanne Danielle was "unintentionally creepy". And both Cole and Ian Freer, writing for ''
Empire
An empire is a "political unit" made up of several territories and peoples, "usually created by conquest, and divided between a dominant center and subordinate peripheries". The center of the empire (sometimes referred to as the metropole) ex ...
'', laid the blame for the death of the series squarely at the film's door.
Notes
References
* Robert Ross ''The Carry On Companion'', Batsford Books, 1996
* Simon Sheridan ''Keeping the British End Up: Four Decades of Saucy Cinema'', Titan Books, 2011 (fourth edition)
Bibliography
*
*
*
*
*Sheridan, Simon (2011). ''Keeping the British End Up: Four Decades of Saucy Cinema'' (fourth edition). Titan Books.
*
*
*
*
*
External links
*
''Carry On Emmannuelle'' at The Whippit Inn
{{DEFAULTSORT:Carry On Emmannuelle
1978 films
Emmannuelle
1970s English-language films
Films directed by Gerald Thomas
British parody films
British sex comedy films
1970s sex comedy films
Films shot at Pinewood Studios
Emmanuelle
Films produced by Peter Rogers
1978 comedy films
1970s British films
1970s French films