''Carry On England'' is a 1976

British comedy Throughout film, television, and radio, British comedy has become known for its consistently peculiar characters, plots, and settings, and has produced some of the most renowned comedians and characters in the world. History British comedy history ...

film, the 28th release in the series of the original 30 ''Carry On'' films (1958–1978). It was released in October 1976 and featured ''Carry On'' regulars

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, ...

, Jack Douglas,

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

Peter Butterworth Peter William Shorrocks Butterworth (4 February 1915''Prisoner of War Co ...

. It was second and last ''Carry On'' film for

Windsor Davies Windsor Davies (28 August 1930 – 17 January 2019) was a British actor. He is best remembered for playing Battery Sergeant Major Williams in the sitcom ''It Ain't Half Hot Mum'' (1974–1981) over its entire run. The show's popularity resulted ...

Diane Langton Diane Langton (born 31 May 1947) is an English actress and singer, known for playing Marlena "Nana" McQueen in ''Hollyoaks'' from 2007 to 2009 and 2012 onwards. Career Langton has appeared in numerous television series. In the 1980s, she appear ...

and Peter Jones, as well as the fifth and last for

Patricia Franklin Patricia Franklin (born 11 September 1942) is an English actress best known for her roles in five ''Carry On'' films. Early life Born in East Finchley, London, Franklin and her family frequently went to see shows at the nearby amateur theatre a ...

and the eighth and last for

Julian Holloway Julian Holloway (born 24 June 1944) is a British actor. He is the son of comedy actor and singer Stanley Holloway and former chorus dancer and actress Violet Lane. He is the father of author and former model Sophie Dahl. Early life Holloway was ...

Patrick Mower Patrick Mower (born Patrick Archibald Shaw; 12 September 1938) is an English actor who has portrayed the role of Rodney Blackstock in the ITV soap opera ''Emmerdale'' since 2000. As well as portraying Rodney, Mower has appeared in various films ...

Judy Geeson Judith Amanda Geeson (born 10 September 1948) is an English film, stage, and television actress. She began her career primarily working on British television series, with a leading role on '' The Newcomers'' from 1965 to 1967, before making he ...

and

Melvyn Hayes Melvyn Hayes (''né'' Hyams; 11 January 1935) is an English actor and voice over performer. He is best known for playing the effeminate Gunner (later Bombardier) "Gloria" Beaumont in the 1970s BBC sitcom ''It Ain't Half Hot Mum'', for appear ...

make their only appearances in a ''Carry On'' film. The film was followed by ''

That's Carry On! ''That's Carry On!'' is a 1977 British comedy film, the 29th release in the series of 31 ''Carry On'' films (1958–1992). The film is a compilation of the highlights of most of the previous 28 films, and features series regulars Kenneth Willia ...

'' in 1977.

Plot

Captain S Melly (

) is put in charge of an experimental mixed-battery during the darkest days of the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

. It is a relief for Captain Bull ( David Lodge) to greet his relief but Melly is not prepared for the ball-squeezing Sergeant Major "Tiger" Bloomer (

) and the randy antics of Bombardier Ready ( Jack Douglas), Sergeant Tilly Willing (

) and Sergeant Len Able (

). Forever feigning illness or hiding in their underground "snoggery", the troops are happily getting to grips with each other rather than the enemy. Most prominent of the females is Private Alice Easy (

) who tries to charm her new commanding officer but only succeeds in propelling her top button into his system! Private Jennifer Ffoukes-Sharpe (

) pines for "Tiger" while everybody – including little Gunner Shorthouse (

) – gets a piece of the action. Even after a tip-off to the medical officer, Major Butcher (

) segregation and rigorous training, the unit is still a shower. However, an inspection by the cowardly Brigadier ( Peter Jones) and Major Carstairs (

Peter Butterworth Peter William Shorrocks Butterworth (4 February 1915''Prisoner of War Co ...

) is interrupted by an airborne attack and Melly's troops finally prove they are real British bulldogs.

Production

This film featured few established members of the ''Carry On'' team. ''Carry On'' regular Kenneth Connor played a leading role, but the only other long-time regulars present, Joan Sims and Peter Butterworth, had only small supporting roles.

, who had joined the series with a main role in the preceding film ''

Carry On Behind ''Carry On Behind'' is a 1975 British comedy film, the 27th release in the series of 31 ''Carry On'' films (1958–1992). It was the first entry in the series not to be scripted by Talbot Rothwell since '' Carry On Cruising'' 13 years previou ...

'', again plays a major role, reprising (in all but name) his Sergeant-Major character from the BBC sitcom ''

It Ain't Half Hot Mum ''It Ain't Half Hot, Mum'' is a BBC television sitcom about a Royal Artillery concert party based in Deolali in British India and the fictional village of Tin Min in Burma, during the last months of the Second World War. It was written by Jimmy ...

'', along with

as his effeminate foil. Other main roles are played by established and recognisable actors

and

, both newcomers to the ''Carry On'' films. The role of the Brigadier was written for series regular

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 Car ...

, and the role of Private Easy was written for series regular episodes

Barbara Windsor Dame Barbara Windsor (born Barbara Ann Deeks; 6 August 193710 December 2020) was an English actress, known for her roles in the ''Carry On'' films and for playing Peggy Mitchell in the BBC One soap opera, ''EastEnders''.Sid James Sidney James (born Solomon Joel Cohen; 8 May 1913 – 26 April 1976) was a British actor and comedian whose career encompassed radio, television, stage and screen. He was best known for numerous roles in the Carry On film series. Born to a mid ...

was unavailable for the film due to appearing in the stage play, The Mating Season. On the opening night of the play at

Sunderland Empire Theatre The Sunderland Empire Theatre is a large theatre venue located in High Street West in Sunderland, North East England. The theatre, which opened in 1907, is owned by City of Sunderland Council and operated by Ambassador Theatre Group Ltd, on b ...

on 26 April, James died of a

heart attack A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow decreases or stops to the coronary artery of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle. The most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort which may tr ...

on stage at the age of 62. The film was originally certified AA by the then

British Board of Film Censors The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC, previously the British Board of Film Censors) is a non-governmental organisation founded by the British film industry in 1912 and responsible for the national classification and censorship of fi ...

which would have restricted audiences to those aged fourteen and over, but was cut down to the non-age limited A certificate by heavily toning down the scenes featuring topless nudity and removing one comedic use of the word ''fokker''. However it still proved to be a major commercial failure and was withdrawn from some cinemas after just three days.Ross, Robert. ''The Carry On Companion'', B. T. Batsford: London, 1996. p 120

Cast

as Captain S Melly *

Sergeant Major Sergeant major is a senior non-commissioned rank or appointment in many militaries around the world. History In 16th century Spain, the ("sergeant major") was a general officer. He commanded an army's infantry, and ranked about third in the ...

"Tiger" Bloomer *

Sergeant Sergeant (abbreviated to Sgt. and capitalized when used as a named person's title) is a rank in many uniformed organizations, principally military and policing forces. The alternative spelling, ''serjeant'', is used in The Rifles and other uni ...

Len Able *

as Sergeant Tilly Willing * Jack Douglas as Bombardier Ready * Peter Jones as

Brigadier Brigadier is a military rank, the seniority of which depends on the country. In some countries, it is a senior rank above colonel, equivalent to a brigadier general or commodore, typically commanding a brigade of several thousand soldiers. In ...

as Private Alice Easy *

as Gunner Shorthouse *

Peter Butterworth Peter William Shorrocks Butterworth (4 February 1915''Prisoner of War Co ...

as Major Carstairs *

as Private Jennifer Ffoukes-Sharpe *

as Major Butcher * David Lodge as Captain Bull *

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 Gunner Shaw *

Brian Osborne Brian Osborne (26 March 1940 – 8 July 2021) was an English actor. He was best known for his roles in '' Upstairs, Downstairs'' and ''The Sandbaggers''. Osborne also had minor roles in six ''Carry On'' films as well the TV series ''Carry On L ...

as Gunner Owen * Johnny Briggs as Melly's driver *

as Corporal Cook * Linda Hooks as Nurse * John Carlin as Officer *

Vivienne Johnson Vivienne Johnson is a retired English actress who is known for playing the supporting character of personal nurse to Young Mr. Grace in three seasons (1978-1981) of the British sitcom ''Are You Being Served?''. She also appeared as Freda in ''Ca ...

as Freda *

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 Officer *Jeremy Connor as Gunner Hiscocks *Richard Olley as Gunner Parker *Peter Banks as Gunner Thomas *Richard Bartlett as Gunner Drury * Billy J. Mitchell as Gunner Childs *

Peter Quince Peter Quince is a character in William Shakespeare's ''A Midsummer Night's Dream''. He is one of the six mechanicals of Athens who perform the play which Quince himself authored, "The Most Lamentable Comedy and Most Cruel Death of Pyramus and This ...

as Gunner Sharpe *Paul Toothill as Gunner Gale *Tricia Newby as Bombardier/Corporal Murray *Louise Burton as Private Evans *Jeannie Collings as Private Edwards *Barbara Hampshire as Private Carter *

Linda Regan Linda Regan (born 5 November 1949), born Linda Mary Drinkwater, is a

British

actr ...

as Private Taylor *

Barbara Rosenblat Barbara Rosenblat is a British actress. She is best known as a prolific narrator of audiobooks, for which ''AudioFile'' named her a Golden Voice. She has also appeared on screen such as in the Netflix original series '' Orange Is the New Black'' ...

as ATS girl

Crew

*Screenplay – David Pursall & Jack Seddon *Music – Max Harris *Production Manager – Roy Goddard *Art Director –

Lionel Couch Lionel Couch (1913–1989) was a British art director. He was nominated for two Academy Awards in the category Best Art Direction. Selected filmography Couch was nominated for two Academy Awards for Best Art Direction: * ''Sons and Lovers'' (19 ...

*Editor – Richard Marden *Director of Photography – Ernest Steward *Camera Operator – Geoffrey Godar *Wardrobe – Vi Murray & Don Mothersill *Casting Director – John Owen *Stills Cameraman – Ken Bray *Make-up – Geoffrey Rodway *Sound Recordists – Danny Daniel & Gordon McCallum *Continuity – Marjorie Lavelly *Hairdresser – Stella Rivers *Costume Design – Courtenay Elliott *Set Dresser – Donald Picton *Dubbing Editor – Pat Foster *Assistant Editor – Jack Gardner *Assistant Director – Jack Causey *Titles – GSE Ltd *Processor – Rank Film Laboratories *Gun –

Imperial War Museum Imperial War Museums (IWM) is a British national museum organisation with branches at five locations in England, three of which are in London. Founded as the Imperial War Museum in 1917, the museum was intended to record the civil and military ...

*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 ...

Filming and locations

*Filming dates – 3 May-4 June 1976 (Note that

Sid James Sidney James (born Solomon Joel Cohen; 8 May 1913 – 26 April 1976) was a British actor and comedian whose career encompassed radio, television, stage and screen. He was best known for numerous roles in the Carry On film series. Born to a mid ...

– star of 19 previous entries in the series – died just days before filming on 26 April 1976) Interiors: *

Pinewood Studios Pinewood Studios is a British film and television studio located in the village of Iver Heath, England. It is approximately west of central London. The studio has been the base for many productions over the years from large-scale films to te ...

, Buckinghamshire Exteriors: *

. The orchard was utilised once again as it was for the camping and caravan sites in

Carry On Camping ''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, Bar ...

and

. * Black Park, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire

References

Bibliography

* * * * *''Keeping the British End Up: Four Decades of Saucy Cinema'' by Simon Sheridan (third edition) (2007) (Reynolds & Hearn Books) * * * * *

External links

*
''Carry On England'' at The Whippit Inn
{{DEFAULTSORT:Carry On England 1976 films British World War II films

England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...

1970s English-language films Films directed by Gerald Thomas 1976 comedy films Films shot at Pinewood Studios Films produced by Peter Rogers 1970s British films British war comedy films