Carry On Christmas Review

4 star classic festive double entendre.

Following their enormous success in the cinema, The Carry On films producer Peter Rogers was approached by Thames Television to produce a seasonal Christmas Carry On broadcast for ITV. Between 1969 and 1973, four Christmas specials were produced. These classic festive treats are now assembled on 2 disc DVD courtesy of Network Press.

“Mr Cratchit? I say, you have got a narrow entrance. Special delivery. Lucky you hahaha!”

Introduced by Peter Rogers, the first of the Christmas shows was simply titled Carry On Christmas. It was written by Talbot Rothwell, directed by Ronnie Baxter and aired on Christmas Eve 1969.

It stars the fantastic Sidney James (Hell Drivers, Bless This House) as Scrooge and involves hilarious visits from the Ghost of Christmas Past (Charles Hawtry – Carry On Don’t Lose Your Head) who takes him to visit Dr Frank N. Stein (Terry Scott – Terry and June, Dangermouse) and Dracula (Peter Butterworth – Carry On Screaming) to see the results of his actions. The Ghost of Christmas Present (Barbara Windsor – Worzel Gummidge, Eastenders) shows him the fate of Robert Browning (Frankie Howerd – Up Pompeii, The Chastity Belt) and his sweetheart Elizabeth (Hattie Jaques – Carry on Nurse). Finally, the Ghost of Christmas Future (Bernard Bresslaw – The Fifth Musketeer, Carry On Behind) a hippy who shows him what will happen to his tennant Cinderella (Barbara Windsor) if he doesn’t change his ways.

“Now that, although she may look rancid, is a bit of stuff I’ve always fancied.”

The second show was called Carry On Again Christmas (or Carry On Long John) and was directed by Alan Tarrant. It aired on Christmas Eve, 1970 and was filmed in black and white.

Again it stars Sid James, this time as Long John Silver. This time we see all our Carry On favourites on a quest to find Flint’s Treasure, with some excellent performances, especially from Charles Hawtrey as old blind Pew, whacking everything with his stick and Barbara Windsor as the least convincing Jim Hawkins ever. Although entertaining, this one lacked the cheer of the previous show, with very little in the way of festive spirit.

“I am long John Silver. Me and only me. We’ll draw lots and then decide, it’s the only way you see.”

Following a break of a year, the third instalment was entitled Carry On Stuffing and was aired on 20th December 1972. There were some noticable gaps in the cast, missing Sid James, Terry Scott and Bernard Bresslaw, but taking the opportunity to feature Joan Sims and Jack Douglas.

This time the plot takes the form of a meeting of The Pudding Club in an 18th Century house. By tradition they tell each other stories including familiar character the Oozelum Bird, some very funny Madrigals and a sketch about pantomine season. Back to the form of the first one, with lots of cheeky giggles.

“Oh, what a monster I mothered. His Dad was right, he should have been smothered. Roaming the streets, day and night. Visiting clubs, it isn’t right.”

The fourth and final show was aired on Christmas Eve 1972, directed by Ronald Fouracre and written by Talbot Rathwell. It was simply called Carry On Christmas. It sees the happy return of Sid James, who this time stars as a department store Santa Claus, reminiscing about the good old days.

It features sketches including cave men, parlour games and an excellent World War 1 sketch. This one was my favourite of the collection, the highlight being a ballet dancing sequence in which some of the ballerinas are not as graceful as they could be.

There is also a second disc, featuring All This – and Christmas Too, a hilarious Christmas comedy starring Sid James, An Evening with Peter Rogers, and Carry On Christmas Memories, featuring Wendy Richard and Jack Douglas alongside Peter Rogers.

“What’s happened to the spirit of Christmas? I mean, people don’t seem to have time for each other any more do they?”

Just as funny now as they were when they were made, although probably not for younger generations, this excellent collection is sure to make you laugh. It features a helpful booklet with programme notes and trivia packed with everything you need to know to enjoy this trip down memory lane.

Anyone who knows and loves the Carry On franchise will be more than happy to find this flirty, fun, festive nostalgia in their stocking on Christmas morning.

Carry On Christmas is available to buy now on DVD.