Yvonne
Clicking on this Amazon link will allow you to magnify individual montages, for a closer look at the images and captions.
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CARRY ON MOVIE POSTERS
The Carry On films were a long running series of popular British 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. Part of the fabric of retro great British comedy.
For over 50 years, the Carry On comedy films, have occupied a special place in the hearts of movie audiences. Their fast and furious mix of fun and laughter, served up with a hefty helping of innuendo and suggestive humour, is enjoyed around the world. Making their debut in 1958, the films are classic romps in the great British tradition of farce, and the regular cast of larger than life characters are played by some of the biggest comedy stars of the era. With iconic scenes and catchphrases such as “Oooh! Matron” are recognised and loved by all.
The first Carry On film – the black and white Carry On Sergeant, was released in 1958 starring William Hartnell, who was also the first actor to play the roll of Doctor Who. Carry On Sergeant proved so popular that 1958 saw the release of three Carry On titles – also in black and white – Carry On Nurse, Carry On Teacher and Carry On Constable.
In 1961 Carry On Regardless was released and each year until 1978 saw the release of at least one new Carry On movie in the cinemas.
To this day the Carry On genre conjures up images of saucy humour, larger than life characters and riotous slapstick comedy. The Carry On films made household names of the likes of Barbara Windsor, Kenneth Williams, Sid James, Charles Hawtrey and Hattie Jacques. Joan Sims, Jim Dale and Bernard Bresslaw.
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FALCON DE LUXE JIGSAW PUZZLES – by JUMBO GAMES
“Making people happy and grow by playing anywhere, anytime”
The Royal Jumbo Group develops, manufactures and sells games, puzzles and toys. It also distributes several lines for other companies in its domestic markets. Approximately 130 people work for the Jumbo Group which has its headquarters in Zaandam, Netherlands with offices in Belgium, Germany and the UK – each selling to its own market. There is also an export department which handles sales to other parts of the world.
“Craftsmanship Counts”
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Puzzle making is more than a craft – It’s a passion!
I can always remember the Carry On films on television, as being a part of my home life as a child. However I had no idea that they began in the year I was born and carried on being so hugely popular right up until the year before I was married – that is so insane and definitely makes me feel old, as this year we celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary!
Looking back on it now I am also more than surprised that my parents allowed me to watch such ‘risque’ television programming, or maybe the fact that at that time, television in itself would have been quite a novelty for us as a family, perhaps coloured their judgement about our viewing restrictions a little.
Perhaps on reflection, much of the television programming content of that time, was of the same rather ‘progressive’ nature, full of innuendo, language and content, which by today’s very ‘politically correct’ standards, would certainly not be permissible on any of the mainstream channels, and certainly not for family viewing!
I really wanted to include a link to some of the Carry On YouTube clips, especially the one which features the memorable Kenneth Williams line, synonymous with many of the films “Oooh! Matron”, as he had such a distinctive tone of voice. However, I had second thoughts about it and decided that I didn’t want to inflict any possible offence on site visitors, although I can still recommend that you check them out, if you are of a slightly more broad minded nature.
Simply visit YouTube and search ‘Carry On Films Clips’, then select ‘Carry On Montage’.
I had a real trip down memory lane, watching extracts from several of the films before making my decision that they were just too risqué to include in the post, slightly tinged with sadness that so many of the stars from the films, named above, are now no longer with us.
In much the same way that this quality Falcon jigsaw puzzle was fun to make and watch evolve into some of the most memorable montages from the films I remember so well, with affection 🙂
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What a fun puzzle. I don’t know… the films were risque, that’s very true… but I kind of feel like it was ‘innocent’ risque, a bit too silly to take much offence at. Perhaps our parents thought a lot of the adult humour would go over our heads? The actors in them had such comic timing and were naturally funny, we seem to have lost that which is why I think we don’t seem make many good sitcoms any more. Where are the modern equivilents of One Foot in the Grave, Dad’s Army, Porridge, Keeping Up Appearances, Only Fools and Horses and many more? People say it’s the writers we’ve lost but I don’t agree, I think it’s the character acting that’s lacking. Lovely post, Yvonne.
This puzzle looks like a lot of fun! I enjoy a format like this, as you well know from some that I’ve shared. Obviously a British thing, I’d never heard of these films when you mentioned them on an earlier post I had.
I’m one you’d be hard-pressed to offend. In many ways I feel “political correctness” has gotten the best of us. However, I do know that there were plenty of “wrongs” in the past that should not be tolerated today. What you and Cath have discussed here makes me think of an old television game show I use to love: Hollywood Squares. In its original incarnation, it was hilarious, filled with innuendo and double entendres. Later (PC) revivals of the program have fallen far short of its original charm and humor. I find it sad that in today’s world, there is always someone out there looking for an opportunity to take offense and call foul. Yet… in the political world (I presume it’s as bad there with your current dilemma) there seems to be a total breakdown of civility between those with differing opinions!!
Hi Kelly,
I would definitely say that the ‘Carry On’ films contained humour which would have certainly appealed mostly to a British audience of the time, although all the references I could find seem to indicate that the series was enjoyed by a worldwide viewing public.
I am not too sure that even the British audiences of today would understand the innuendo and suggestive humour!
I often wonder at the success some of our other exported sit-coms, and vice versa, between our two nations, as there is a distinct divide in the style, narrative and delivery, which just doesn’t overlap or translate too well – at least not from my own personal perspective, which probably doesn’t count for too much – just look at the success of ‘Friends’ and ‘Cheers’, neither of which I really understood!
I don’t recall us having a programme anything like ‘Hollywood Squares’, although we did base a programme called ‘Blankety Blank’ (which ran from 1979-1990), on your own ‘Match Squares’. They did try to revive ‘Blankety Blank’ between 1997-2002, several times in fact, but it just never had the same appeal, or attracted large enough audiences.
Great discussion, I am so pleased that I shared this post and thanks for having your say 🙂
Hi Cath,
I totally agree with you about the character acting being the problem today, although I do think that some of the script writers of old were such icons of their craft that I think you would be hard-pushed to find replacements for them in todays PC climate!
There seems to be an innate lack of spontaneity and ad-libbing, which happened without question back in the day, but that is probably as much out of fear of being caught saying something slightly out of place or untoward, which they could then be sued or hauled over the coals about.
Every other programme these days seems to be some form of ‘reality show’, none of which we watch, all of which are simply cheap programme making, and most of which end up by having a laugh at someone else’s expense, but not in a nice or funny way! Since when have programmes like ‘Naked Attraction’ ‘Sex Box’ and ‘Love Shaft’ been PC, even if they don’t mention race, religion or colour? They are still sexually degrading surely?
At least my memories of the ‘Carry On’ films, together with all the other sitcoms you list, and more I remember myself, are ones of joy, laughter and family time spent together!
Thanks for chatting about my trip down memory lane, I seem to be doing more and more of that, the older I get 🙂 xx
I know they aren’t consider very politically correct now but I loved … still do … the Carry On films.
I don’t know if you know but there is rumour of another two new films being made. Not something I’m particularly excited about and especially not after the awful Carry On Columbus.
Anyway, not a fan of jigsaws as you know but I’m sure anyone who enjoys them and liked/s the films will love them.
Hi Felicity,
I can’t recall ever watching ‘Carry On Columbus’, however I just found a few YouTube extracts, but didn’t get past the first two, as it was indeed as dreadful as you indicated it was!
The mix of actors just didn’t work, the dialogue was terrible and the acting was ‘hammy’ to say the least
If that was an indication of where they expect to place any future films they plan to release, then here’s another person who won’t be watching them!
I know that the original films were ‘cheesy’, but it was in a different kind of way, if that makes any sense.
There seem to be jigsaws out there, representing several film and television shows and films, but they just never really appeal to me. Let’s face it, I have no real interest in the ‘Coronation Street’ jigsaw, or any of the ‘Royal Weddings’. This ‘Carry On’ selection just caught my eye!
Thanks for stopping by, even though I know you are not an avid dissectologist. Opening up a discussion which can then morph and change, is my idea of fun 🙂
Fun puzzle Yvonne. I had not heard of the Carry On films before…interesting how they got away with certain things back then as far as being politically incorrect. Glad you enjoyed this trip down memory lane, I love to reminisce also.
Hi Naida,
Things might have been a little risqué and politically incorrect when the ‘Carry On’ films and many of the other sitcom programmes of the day were around, however I still don’t see how they were any worse than some of the virtually obscene reality TV shows we are subjected to now and the often foul language we are forced to endure in some of the music which is released on this modern PC world. I know which I would rather watch and listen to!
Many of the jigsaws I make up, have vintage material as their theme. I am generally drawn to them because of the multiple, colourful imagery, however I am also partial to a good trip down memory lane too!
Thanks for taking the time to support this post, I always appreciate your comments 🙂