THE FIRST FOUR FILMS FROM THE CARRY ON… FILM SERIES
The Carry on series isnt the obvious go to for many a film fan who reads FRONTROWREVIEWS. This I believe is a sad thing and should change. 
Why? Well for this I could discuss where the series came from, why it is important to post war British cinema and why popular cinema deserves acknowledgement in art house circles. These however are well trodden arguments, made often and ignored. Instead I will highlight something that British cinema does well. Series. Bond. Pink Panther. St. Trinians and yes the Carry Ons. Some are weakly written, dully directed and formalic. However, dear friends, the first group of films, made under the Anglo Amalagamated label (see where the series came from to understand its easy to read on the wiki page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Amalgamated). They crafted the series with a structure, formula and function that is entertaining, creative and, most importantly for you dear reader, a study in convention. All four films here are superbly funny, use an ensemble cast with energy and deliver. If you , like me, grew up on the later, smuttier, sardonic, sarcastic riffs, filled with low budget set design, great one liners but also tired and terrible delivered form, then these four are a refreshing revisit to a series that has long suffered.
First up Bob Monkhouse and a host of the Carry On regulars (as well as a Doctor Who!) in CARRY ON SERGEANT. Six years in and Sergeant Grimshawe (William Hartnall) has been a training sergeant.
That means guiding the national service lugs and hoping that they might win Star Squad. Always a fail. As his retirement is set to start at the end of this group, he accepts a bet from another sergeant that in the next intake, will pass out top. With this lot however, its to be a right Carry On! So the film is a riot and good clean fun, with well timed jokes, great slapstick moments and a timestamp of an age of national service and a eager need for a national post war giggle. The transfer is average here, with a few long term print issues not either resolved or rectified sadly. The extra, Commentary with Dora Bryan, Terence Longdon and Shirley Eaton, is a lot of fun, with a few bits to interest but not enough to make it superior to the great book on the series.
Total (7/10)
The second of the series is CARRY ON NURSE takes on the second British institution, the NHS. In the men’s surgical ward of the Haven Hospital, Watchful Matron (Hattie Jacques) keeps an eye. 
Those on the ward are eager to get as much time in for fun as possibly, from horse racing, hijinx and studying… This is the most bordie of the four. Playing to the classic innuendos of the age. It lands and well often, keeping the right tempo but with a less well crafted script than its predecessor. Treated better here than its previous in terms of transfer, with a clean and quantifyingly obvious, improved source from StudioCanal, it contains a lovely commentary from Shirley Eaton and Terence Longdon. Who talk in some detail about their fellow cast and the creation of the series.
Total (7/10) Mainly for the commentary
The third film is a masterclass in pratt falls and pillock popping CARRY ON TEACHER. Acting Headmaster William Wakefield (Ted Ray) has an ambition. He wants to apply for a post at a new school.
He has given 20-years service at Maudlin Street Modern School and now wants an easier life. Before he can leave though, he must deal with a visit by a Ministry of Education Inspector. Which not only does he know will bring a series of concerned teachrs to his door but also a senior pupil has overheard this and wants to get the school in, to stop him and the inspector at all costs! The best thing about CARRY ON TEACHER is the clever set up / pay offs that furnish the film. Serviced by a workable script, a few lovely fresher faces (Joan Sims as an example that would become series regulars) and an acceptance that they might be on to something. This looks the best of the four. It also has the two youngest cast talking in Larry Dann and Richard O’Sullivan. They seem to be able to share much more compelling content than their acting contempoaries. Delivering a series of insightful pieces about the actors and their director.
Total (8/10)
Finally, we are feeling the long arm of the law on our shoulders. CARRY ON CONSTABLE sees four new recruits brought into man a police station because of a flu epidemic, They are temporary replacements for Sergent Frank Wilkins (Sid James) to mould.
They look like a hopeless bunch of priveledge boys, schooled types and wacky ones but they might just come good in the end. Listening to the late, great Leslie Phillips, you can see that this was by far the most fun and most Carry On of the films. It stands as the funniest of the set and the fresher of the four for it delivers with a schedule of its own. Looking the better for a 1080p upscale (even if it has some light leak due to the colour washing). Brilliant.
Total (8/10)
Special Features:
- Audio Commentary by Dora Bryan, Terence Longdon and Shirley Eaton on Carry On Sergeant
- Audio Commentary by Shirley Eaton and Terence Longdon on Carry On Nurse
- Audio Commentary by Larry Dann and Richard O’Sullivan on Carry On Teacher
- Audio Commentary by Leslie Phillips on Carry On Constable
- Theatrical Trailers on select films
- Image Galleries
