That's Carry On!
'Carry On Regardless' is an updated overview of the classic series of British comedy films, produced by 'benevolent dictator' Peter Rogers and directed by steady hand Gerald Thomas. Starting with the highly successful 'Carry on Sergeant' (1958) and finishing with 'Carry on Emmannuelle' (1978) and 'Carry on Columbus' (1992), the series lasted for 31 outings, more than any other film franchise to date, including James Bond. In the spirit of Rogers' decree that they should be an ensemble work with no one person's name above 'Carry On' in the credits, Frost presents a new history of the series as a whole, with some spotlight chapters on key cast members Sid James, Hattie Jacques, Kenneth Williams, Joan Sims, Charles Hawtrey, Jim Dale and Barbara Windsor. Frost makes full use of a range of sources, including new interviews with the last remaining stars Bernard Cribbins, Angela Douglas and Kenneth Cope, and reflections from current cultural commentators such as Matthew Sweet and Robin Ince. 'Carry On Regardless' explores the development and importance of the Carry On series in British film history, and suggests a re-evaluation may be overdue.
Carry On Loving
I started this book slightly apprehensive - so many works about the series focus on the sadness suffered by many of its stars - but I needn't have worried. 'Carry On Regardless' is very interesting, informative, and well written. An awful lot is crammed into 214 pages, but the writing is pacey and well structured, plus the author has made pertinent use of a wide range of sources. Unusually for me, I read it over just a few days, and by the end I couldn't wait to rewatch the films with the benefit of my new background knowledge. Once I work out what I've done with my copy of 'Carry on Sergeant', I'll definitely get started!
Carry On Behind
The only niggle in 'Carry On Regardless' is that it isn't always impartial. Everyone has a right to their opinion, especially on something as subjective as a film or book, but I felt hearing what the author's favourite Carry Ons were somehow interrupted the flow and distracted me from the story of the series. Also, I don't think their fall from fashion was entirely down to political correctness. As the author herself notes, times changed, and the humour of the earlier (and better) Carry Ons is tied to social taboos, hierarchies and embarrassment. Once those barriers disappeared from the real world, there was little meat upon which they could feed, and it showed. Also, by then TV had become dominant, and people could get their funny fix more easily at home.
Don't Lose Your Head
However, I do completely agree that the Carry Ons have been unfairly maligned and are ripe for re-evaluation. Cultural judgement seems to go in a cycle, from popularity to pariah to reconsidered classic, so perhaps this is the first sign that we're ready to revisit the series and take a more considered view. Some things - rightly - are completely unacceptable, but it's wrong to throw the babe out with the bathwater and not look at things in context. It would also be wrong to judge the whole series of films by one scene, character or outing. Like people, few cultural objects are ever wholly good or wholly bad. Everyone knows about Barbara Windsor's wardrobe malfunction, but what about the proto-feminist plot of 'Carry On Cabby' or the anti-imperialist undertones of 'Carry On Up the Khyber'? There's always more than meets the eye.
Carry On Again
Overall, 'Carry On Regardless' is a great read for those with everything from a general interest in British film and entertainment to an enthusiasm for these specific titles. Just as it's easy to dismiss the Carry Ons as sexist, it's also easy for fans to indulge in some 'they don't make them like that any more' reverie, but I think that their influence is actually alive and well. This book highlights how at the heart of the Carry Ons was a talented ensemble cast whose brilliant collaboration brought silly humour to the big screen and made generations of Britons laugh at themselves, through silly humour, wordplay and spoof. Sounds awfully like Horrible Histories to me.
Now, what next..?
