Carry On films

The Carry On films were a long-running series of British popular low-budget comedy films, directed by Gerald Thomas and produced by Peter Rogers. An energetic mix of parody, farce and double entendres, they are seen as classic examples of British humour.

Revival

During the 1980s the Carry On films were viewed by many as representing the worst side of British attitudes to women and to sex. However, they were still very popular and were regularly broadcast on television.

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In 1992 an attempt was made to revive the series with Carry On Columbus, co-inciding with the production of two serious movies on the subject and the 500th anniversary of Columbus's discovery of America. The producers managed to persuade a number of alternative comedians such as Rik Mayall, Alexei Sayle, Peter Richardson and Julian Clary to appear in the film, but it did not achieve any great commercial success. Of all the original Carry On stars, only Jim Dale (playing the title role) appeared in the film – many of the others were deceased. Barbara Windsor, however, refused to appear after reading the script. A handful of other actors who had played a few roles in the original films, such as Bernard Cribbins, Jon Pertwee, June Whitfield and Leslie Phillips also appeared.

Related Topics:
1992 - Columbus - Alternative comedians - Rik Mayall - Alexei Sayle - Peter Richardson - Julian Clary - Barbara Windsor - Bernard Cribbins - Jon Pertwee - June Whitfield - Leslie Phillips

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The script, by Dave Freeman, was more polished than those he wrote for the Carry On films during the 1970s, including comment on colonialism as well as the obligatory innuendo and slapstick.

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In 2004 the magazine Total Film described the greenlighting of the movie, and the decision to use alternative comedians, as the number 2 "dumbest decision in movie history".

Related Topics:
2004 - Magazine - Total Film

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A new film Carry On London was announced in 2003, but production has not started.

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