Customer Reviews

Carry on Cruising

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Although the trend is to rate the earlier Carry On's such as this 1962 release more favourably than the later entries I cannot agree with this. In my view, the comic stars reached their peak with films such as Carry On Up the Khyber and Carry On Again Doctor. Sid James is fine here as the ship's captain (although a bit wooden in comparison to later work) and Dilys Laye and Lance Percivial are also competent. The best performance comes from Kenneth Williams, the most talented team member. To its credit, the film has beautiful colour and some solid laughs. Not the best of even the early Carry On's (Constable & Nurse are better) although I'm sure fans will enjoy it.

Carry On Cruising (1962) saw the series transferred into colour but the one thing missing from this is the large number of regulars absent from it - theres no Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims or Hattie Jaques. Yet surprisingly this does emerge as an enjoyable, entertaining entry in the long-running series. The action of course is set aboard a Mediterranean cruise liner (well actually it was all filmed at PineWood Studios) with the inept and typically incompentent crew under the strict command of the serious and uptight Captain Crowther, who is played marvelously by Sid James. Things all come to a climax when the crew plan a surprise party for the captain who is celebrating his tenth year at sea. This was Norman Hudis's last script for the series, which is certainly on top form throughout. Amongst the cast include Kenneth Williams, Kenneth Connor (in a fairly typical role), Dilys Laye (taking the role that was origanally written for Joan Sims), Liz Frazer, Lance Percival as a hopelessly sea-sick chef and loveable eccentric Esma Cannon.

Fun and games aboard a Mediterranean cruise liner with the group of passengers and crew members under the command of the strict, no nonsense Captain Crowther (marvelously played by SID JAMES). This was the first entry in the series to be made in colour. There are many laughs along the way although is slightly handicapped by the absence of most of the regulars. Only SID JAMES, KENNETH WILLIAMS and KENNETH CONNOR, the series "official" regulars are present. DILYS LAYE takes on a part origanally written for JOAN SIMS (who was unable to take the part due to illness). LIZ FRAZER (who appeared in many of the early entries) and ESMA CANNON are also on view as well as LANCE PERCIVAL as a hopelessly sea sick chef. On the whole though a good comedy, defintley worth a look.