Carry On Constable
| Carry On Constable | |
|---|---|
 Original UK quad poster | |
| Directed by | Gerald Thomas |
| Produced by | Peter Rogers |
| Written by | Norman Hudis |
| Starring |
Sid James Eric Barker Kenneth Connor Charles Hawtrey Kenneth Williams Leslie Phillips Joan Sims Hattie Jacques Shirley Eaton |
| Music by | Bruce Montgomery |
| Cinematography | Ted Scaife |
| Edited by | John Shirley |
| Distributed by | Anglo-Amalgamated |
Release dates | February 1960 |
Running time | 86 min. |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Budget | £82,500 |
Carry On Constable is the fourth film from the Carry On series, with 31 entries. It was released in February 1960. Of the regular team, it featured Kenneth Connor, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims and Hattie Jacques. Sid James makes his debut in the series here, while early regulars Leslie Phillips, Eric Barker and Shirley Eaton also turn up, although Phillips did not appear again in the series for 32 years. It was the first "Carry On..." film to include some nudity with Connor, Hawtrey, Williams and Phillips baring their behinds during a shower scene.
Plot
A suburban police station is understaffed, due to a flu epidemic, and Sergeant Wilkins, under pressure to maintain staffing levels, is pleased to hear that three new recruits, straight from training school, are due shortly.
Before even arriving, the three policemen inadvertently assist some bank robbers into their getaway car (a Jaguar Mk2), and are embarrassed when they learn the truth. The new constables are self-proclaimed intellectual and amateur psychologist PC Timothy Benson, former socially well-connected playboy and cad PC Tom Potter and PC Charles Constable who is extremely superstitious.
The arrival of WPC Gloria Passworthy and Special Constable Gorse completes the roster. Constable falls in love with Passworthy.
Out on the beat, the new constables try hard, but are less than successful. Benson nearly arrests a plainclothes detective, and Constable believes he's just heard a murder being committed, but it turns out to be a radio play. Potter investigates a report of an intruder, but finds a young woman in the bath. Gorse, tasked to patrol with a police dog, is unable to control it.
They have better luck when a wages robbery takes place. Benson and Potter locate the getaway car and all four engage in a confrontation with the thieves, arresting them and recovering the money.
Commended for his efficiency and excellent results, Inspector Mills is promoted to a training position and Wilkins is promoted to replace him. Charlie Constable gets his girl (with a little help from Sgt Moon) and stops being superstitious.
Cast and crew
- Sid James as Sergeant Frank Wilkins
- Eric Barker as Inspector Mills
- Kenneth Connor as Constable Charlie Constable
- Charles Hawtrey as Special Constable Timothy Gorse
- Kenneth Williams as PC Stanley Benson
- Leslie Phillips as PC Tom Potter
- Joan Sims as WPC Gloria Passworthy
- Hattie Jacques as Sergeant Laura Moon
- Shirley Eaton as Sally Barry
- Cyril Chamberlain as PC Thurston
- Joan Hickson as Mrs May
- Irene Handl as Distraught Mother
- Terence Longdon as Herbert Hall
- Jill Adams as WPC Harrison
- Freddie Mills as Jewel thief
- Brian Oulton as Store manager
- Victor Maddern as Detective Sergeant Liddell
- Esma Cannon as Deaf old lady
- Hilda Fenemore as Agitated woman
- Screenplay – Norman Hudis
- Idea – Brock Williams
- Music – Bruce Montgomery
- Art Director – Carmen Dillon
- Director of Photography – Ted Scaife
- Editor – John Shirley
- Production Manager – Frank Bevis
- Camera Operator – Alan Hume
- Assistant Director – Peter Manley
- Sound Editor – Leslie Wiggins
- Sound Recordists – Robert T MacPhee & Bill Daniels
- Continuity – Joan Davis
- Make-up – George Blackler
- Hairdressing – Stella Rivers
- Dress Designer – Yvonne Caffin
- Set Dressing – Vernon Dixon
- Casting Director – Betty White
- Producer – Peter Rogers
- Director – Gerald Thomas
Role of Sergeant Wilkins
Initially, the role of Sergeant Wilkins was intended for Ted Ray following his work on the previous film Carry On Teacher. However, Ray was contracted to ABC (despite being unused by them), who distributed the Carry On films to cinemas. Unhappy seeing one of their contracted actors in a rival production, they threatened to stop distribution, so Peter Rogers reluctantly dropped him from the films and replaced him with Sid James, thus beginning James's 19-film long membership of the Carry On team.
Filming and locations
- Filming dates – 9 November-18 December 1959
Interiors:
- Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire
Exteriors:
- The streets of Ealing, London
The exterior of the police station is Hanwell Library, Cherrington Road, W7. Other scenes were filmed along the parade of shops on The Avenue in West Ealing, W13 with the Drayton Court Hotel visible in many scenes. The Royal Mail Sorting Office in Manor Road and the railway footbridge over the GWR out of West Ealing is also seen as still standing today. Other scenes were filmed on and around St Mary's Road (including St Mary's Church) and the surrounding streets, Ealing W5.
Bibliography
- Davidson, Andy (2012). Carry On Confidential. London: Miwk. ISBN 978-1-908630-01-8.
- Sheridan, Simon (2011). Keeping the British End Up – Four Decades of Saucy Cinema. London: Titan Books. ISBN 978-0-85768-279-6.
- Webber, Richard (2009). 50 Years of Carry On. London: Arrow. ISBN 978-0-09-949007-4.
- Hudis, Norman (2008). No Laughing Matter. London: Apex. ISBN 978-1-906358-15-0.
- Keeping the British End Up: Four Decades of Saucy Cinema by Simon Sheridan (third edition) (2007) (Reynolds & Hearn Books)
- Ross, Robert (2002). The Carry On Companion. London: Batsford. ISBN 978-0-7134-8771-8.
- Bright, Morris; Ross, Robert (2000). Mr Carry On – The Life & Work of Peter Rogers. London: BBC Books. ISBN 978-0-563-55183-6.
- Rigelsford, Adrian (1996). Carry On Laughing – a celebration. London: Virgin. ISBN 1-85227-554-5.
- Hibbin, Sally & Nina (1988). What a Carry On. London: Hamlyn. ISBN 978-0-600-55819-4.
- Eastaugh, Kenneth (1978). The Carry On Book. London: David & Charles. ISBN 978-0-7153-7403-0.
References
External links
- Carry On Constable at the Internet Movie Database
- Carry On Constable at The Whippit Inn
- Carry On Constable at BFI Screenonline
| ||||||||||||||||||||||