Line #22 Trivia/CarryOnSeries


1	----
2	The movies have their own trivia pages. For the trivia to ''Series/CarryOnChristmas'', click [[Trivia/CarryOnChristmas here]].
3	----
4	* AdoredByTheNetwork: Even though the series wasn't owned by a television channel, Creator/{{ITV}} often aired the movies on the [=ITV3=] channel almost twice every week in 2015-16; religious holidays are an exception, with many days in the week devoted to a marathon.
5	* AttentionDeficitCreatorDisorder: In 1974, Creator/TalbotRothwell was writing ''Film/CarryOnDick'', the stageshow ''Carry On London'', ''[[Series/UpPompeii Further Up Pompeii]]'' and ''Series/CarryOnChristmas''. He was so overworked that it got to the point where he had to dictate the film's script to his daughter.
6	* BeamMeUpScotty: When the average person refers to the ''Carry On'' film series, it's common for another to squawk, "Ooh, Matron!" in a Kenneth Williams-like imitation -- often in the context of Creator/KennethWilliams misreading InnocentInnuendo. But in fact, the phrase "Ooh, Matron!" was never used once in the series, or that context -- at least, not in the way that quoter has said it. There has been "Ah, Matron," and "Oooh!! ... Matron, take them away!", which both came from ''Film/CarryOnCamping'', but never "Ooh, Matron!"
7	* CastTheExpert: Creator/HattieJacques is most famous for playing the ApronMatron in the hospital-based films. Fittingly, she had previously been a nurse.
8	* ChannelHop: Anglo Amalgamated Film Distributors Ltd produced twelve films (1958–1966), the Rank Organisation made eighteen (1966–1978) and United International Pictures made just one (1992).
9	* CreatorBacklash:
10	** Creator/KennethWilliams criticised several of the movies despite his declared fondness for the series as a whole. He was mainly upset at how little he and his fellow actors were paid.
11	** In fear of being only known for this series, a lot of actors regretted appearing in the films. Notable people were Creator/KennethWilliams and Julian Holloway.
12	** Creator/JonPertwee, who made cameos in ''Cleo'', ''Cowboy'', ''Screaming'' and ''Columbus'', once referred to the series as "hideous".
13	** Creator/JackDouglas disliked the last three he was in - ''England'', ''Emmannuelle'' and ''Columbus'' - because they deviated so much from the formula.
14	* CreatorsFavoriteEpisode:
15	** Creator/SidJames and Creator/JoanSims named ''Film/CarryOnCowboy'' as their favourite.
16	** Creator/KennethWilliams' favourite was ''Film/CarryOnUpTheKhyber''.
17	** Creator/BarbaraWindsor's favourite was ''Film/CarryOnHenry''.
18	** Creator/LesliePhillips named ''Film/CarryOnNurse'' as his funniest film. It was also the only one that Creator/KennethConnor rewatched, because his son was in it.
19	** Creator/PeterRogers' favourite was ''Up the Khyber'', while Creator/GeraldThomas' favourite was ''Film/CarryOnCamping''.
20	* TheDanza:
21	** Many of Creator/SidJames' characters were named Sid or Sidney, although this also happened from time to time with Creator/KennethWilliams, Creator/CharlesHawtrey, Creator/JoanSims, Creator/BarbaraWindsor, and various others.
22	** ''Film/CarryOnCamping'' probably contains the most uses of this trope, with characters including Sid Boggle (James), [[WordOfGod Kenneth]] Soaper (Williams), Charlie Muggins (Hawtrey), Bernie Lugg (Bresslaw), Joan Fussey (Sims), and Babs (Windsor).
23	** The character of Sidney Bung in ''Film/CarryOnScreaming'' was intended to invoke this, but when Sid James proved unavailable, the role was recast with Creator/HarryHCorbett.
24	* DawsonCasting: Frequently used. For example, in ''Film/CarryOnSergeant'', the National Service recruits, who should be in their late teens or early 20s, were all played by actors who were over 30 at the time of filming (in fact, Charles Hawtrey was over 40, Kenneth Connor nearly so). Similarly, in ''Film/CarryOnCamping'', the finishing school girls were played by actresses in their late 20s or early 30s rather than in their late teens or early 20s (for example, Barbara Windsor was 31).
25	* DevelopmentHell: An attempt to revive the series, ''Carry On London'', was announced in 2003 by producer Peter Rogers and producer James Black but remained in pre-production well into 2008. The script was signed off by the production company in late March 2008, and "centred on a limousine company ferrying celebrities to an awards show." The film had several false starts, with the producers and cast changing extensively over time. Only the rather unknown Welsh actress Jynine James remained a consistent name from 2003 to 2008. Danniella Westbrook, Creator/DavidJason, Shaun Williamson and Creator/BurtReynolds were also once attached to the project. In May 2006 it was announced Creator/VinnieJones and Shane Richie were to star in the film, which was to be directed by Peter Richardson, though Ed Bye later replaced him as the named director. At the 50th anniversary party held at Pinewood Studios in March 2008, Peter Rogers confirmed that he was planning a series of ''Carry On'' films after ''London'', subject to the success of the first.
26	** In early 2009, ''Carry On London'' or ''Carry On Bananas'' was once again 'back on', with Charlie Higson attached as director, and a different more modern cast list involving Paul O'Grady (as the acidic Kenneth Williamsesque character), Jynine James, Creator/LennyHenry, Justin Lee Collins, Jennifer Ellison (as the saucy Barbara Windsor type), Liza Tarbuck (Hattie Jacques), Meera Syal, Creator/JamesDreyfus, and Frank Skinner (filling in the Sid James role). Despite new media interest and sets being constructed at Pinewood film studios, the film once again was put on hold, and the project was shelved after the death of Peter Rogers in April 2009.
27	** In May 2016, producer Jonathan Sothcott of Hereford Films announced plans for a new series of Carry On films, beginning with ''Carry On Doctors'' and ''Carry On Campus''. As of early 2017, no news had surfaced on if the planned reboot is still going ahead. On 12 April 2017, Sothcott confirmed to thehollywoodnews that he is no longer involved with the film series.
28	* DolledUpInstallment:
29	** ''Film/CarryOnSergeant'' was based on the play ''The Bull Boys'' by R. F. Delderfield and was adapted into a script by Norman Hudis with John Antrobus contributing additional material and replacing the conscripted ballet dancers of the novel into a married couple.
30	** ''Film/CarryOnNurse'' was based on the play ''Ring for Catty'' by Patrick Cargill and Jack Beale.
31	** ''Film/CarryOnCabby'' pitched as a stand-alone film named ''Call Me A Cab'', but eventually did through post-production.
32	** ''Film/CarryOnJack'' started out as a script called ''Poopdecker R.N.'', but Creator/PeterRogers who owned the rights to James Mitchell's ''Steady Boys Steady'' adopted it for Creator/TalbotRothwell's script but it was quickly changed to Talbot's alternative ''Up the Armada'', but the film censor thought it too lewd so it became a ''Carry On''.
33	** ''Film/CarryOnAgainDoctor'' raised problems with Creator/TheRankOrganisation's legal adviser, who felt it was too similar to an unfilmed ''Film/DoctorSeries'' script that Talbot Rothwell had previously submitted to producer Betty Box. Most notably, both scenarios featured the medical mission/slimming potion idea. As Box had not taken up the option on Rothwell's ''Doctor'' script, however, it was felt there were no legal problems with the use of those ideas in this film.
34	* FakeNationality: The primary recurring cast members were all British (except for Sid James, who was born and raised in South Africa but tended to play Cockneys, making him a FakeBrit)[[note]]In ''Up the Khyber'', his line "A very generous gesture" comes out as "A virry ginerous gisture."[[/note]], but many of them played a variety of other nationalities across the series, usually without [[NotEvenBotheringWithTheAccent affecting the relevant accent]]. ''Film/CarryOnCowboy'' was a notable exception, with the entire cast affecting [[FakeAmerican American accents]] (of varying quality) except for Jim Dale (whose character was British) and Charles Hawtrey (the incongruity of an Indian chief looking and talking like Hawtrey being a [[RuleOfFunny source of humour]]). Bernard Bresslaw combined this with {{Blackface}} or {{Brownface}} in several films, playing a Native American in ''[[Film/CarryOnCowboy Cowboy]]'', an Arab in ''Film/FollowThatCamel'', an Indian in ''[[Film/CarryOnUpTheKhyber Up the Khyber]]'', and a sub-Saharan African in ''[[Film/CarryOnUpTheJungle Up the Jungle]]''.
35	* FranchiseKiller: The series was killed by the triple whammy of ''Film/CarryOnEngland, ''Film/ThatsCarryOn'' and ''Film/CarryOnEmmannuelle''. An attempted reboot was made in 1992 that also sunk the franchise even further.
36	* HostilityOnTheSet:
37	** Creator/KennethWilliams and Creator/SidJames had a famously antagonistic relationship. Williams was particularly scathing and personal about James' acting ability (as revealed in his posthumously published diaries), while James found Williams' loud and attention-seeking behaviour annoying.
38	** Williams had no time for Creator/CharlesHawtrey, due to his drunkenness and unreliability.
39	** Creator/JimDale revealed that while he got on well with his fellow castmates, he wasn't close friends with them, as he'd eschew night outs with them in favour of being a family man. According to Dale, they were so offended at him passing up ''Film/CarryOnUpTheJungle'' in favour of stage work that they snubbed his appearance on ''This Is Your Life''.
40	* IronyAsSheIsCast:
41	** Creator/JoanSims often played mothers or mothers-in-law and in ''Film/CarryOnMatron'', she played a long overdue pregnant woman. In reality, she was childless.
42	** Most of Creator/PeterButterworth's roles in ArmedFarces movies were cowardice old men who were incompetent with warfare, which is ironic because he was a sergeant major in the Second World War and was even ''imprisoned in a Nazi war camp'', so he'd probably be the first to know about how to deal with himself in the army.
43	* MilestoneCelebration: There have been many celebrations for the film series whenever they reach anniversaries. Often in the media, a [[TVDocumentary documentary]] about the series would be made by Creator/{{ITV}} every couple years (so far, there's been ''What Is a Carry On?'' from 1998, and ''Carry On Forever'' from 2015) or a behind-the-scenes book would be released. The British Royal Mail service released mail stamps of the popular movies' posters when the series celebrated 50 years, and boxsets of the series were re-released.
44	* NoStuntDouble: Creator/JimDale did his own stunts. On one occasion, he was told to turn his head to the camera to show the audience that it was really him and not a stuntman.
45	* ThePeteBest:
46	** If anyone qualifies for this title it would probably be Creator/ShirleyEaton, who was the female lead in several of the early films, but ceased to be a regular cast member just before the series really hit its stride.
47	** Creator/BobMonkhouse was probably the most famous cast member in ''Film/CarryOnSergeant'' (aside from Creator/WilliamHartnell), but never appeared again in the series.
48	** Radio comedy veteran Ted Ray played the [[AFatherToHisMen beloved]] headmaster "Wakie" Wakefield in ''Film/CarryOnTeacher''. The role of Sgt. Wilkins in ''Carry On Constable'' was intended for Ray, but a conflict with his contract with Associated British Cinemas meant he had to be dropped from the film and replaced with Creator/SidJames, who went on to make 19 ''Carry On'' films; Ray never returned to the series.
49	* ProductionPosse: The creators and actors remained close in media during the series' running. When Sid James' sitcom ''Series/BlessThisHouse'' had a feature film, Creator/TerryScott and Creator/PeterButterworth showed up, and it was directed and produced by Gerald Thomas and Peter Rogers.
50	* RecycledScript: In a way, considering how there were many {{motifs}} and running gags reappeared in the series. One of the most blatant ones was from the 1972 ''Carry On Christmas'' TV special in which Creator/KennethConnor ignores the sounds of bombs and bullets being fired at his mansion while his guests panic, much like how the dinner party ignored the warfare being fired at the building in ''Film/CarryOnUpTheKhyber'' which made Peter Butterworth have a breakdown.
51	* RecycledTheSeries: The first ''Carry On Laughing!'' was an attempt to bring the style of the ''Carry On'' films to television; it ran for 13 episodes across two series in 1975. The series was not a success, in part because only around half the film series' regular cast members were involved[[note]]Creator/CharlesHawtrey had parted company with the series several years earlier, Creator/KennethWilliams refused to take part, and Creator/SidJames filmed four episodes and Creator/HattieJacques just one; the slack was taken up by Creator/KennethConnor, Creator/JoanSims, Creator/BarbaraWindsor, Creator/PeterButterworth, Creator/BernardBresslaw, and Creator/JackDouglas.[[/note]] while long-time writer Creator/TalbotRothwell had retired due to ill health, and while the films are still frequently repeated on British television to this day, ''Carry On Laughing!'' has been largely forgotten.
52	* RoleEndingMisdemeanor: Creator/CharlesHawtrey was sacked from the series after ''Film/CarryOnAbroad'' when his drinking got out of control, to the point where he literally had to be held up by fellow actors in scenes.
53	* RomanceOnTheSet: Creator/SidJames and Creator/BarbaraWindsor had an affair that lasted ten years. Problem was, she was married to gangster Ronnie Knight. James' obsession with Windsor was such that it was rumoured that her then husband Ronnie Knight had all of James's furniture rearranged at home as a subtle threat and, on another occasion, that he had put an axe in James's floor, but close friends of the time, including Vince Powell and William G. Stewart, have dismissed the suggestions.
54	* StarMakingRole: Arguably, for everyone. Although the majority of the actors had been successful in the theatre, radio, stand-up comedy and television, the biggest reason that they are still remembered to the present day is because the ''Carry On'' films have survived through pop culture better than their other work. Although, specifically:
55	** Creator/JimDale. Before becoming an actor, he was a singer with mediocre popularity, but that increased when he made a cameo on ''Carry On Cabby'', followed by regular appearances as main characters throughout the rest of the 1960s. Arguably, without the ''Carry On'' films, Dale probably wouldn't've had a successful career in the United States like he did.
56	** Creator/JulietMills -- the wife of Creator/MaxwellCaulfield and the sister of Creator/HayleyMills. She may have appeared in one movie in the series, but she stated in an interview in 2015 that she got better acting opportunities after appearing in ''Carry On Jack''.
57	** Creator/BarbaraWindsor, who was already known in the media as the woman that married a gangster, got a very big positive reception after appearing in the series (despite her scandalous affair with Sid James in the early-1970s).
58	** Creator/HarryHCorbett from ''Series/SteptoeAndSon''. Some people assume that his appearance as the leading man in ''Film/CarryOnScreaming'' lead ''Steptoe and Son'' to be un-cancelled.
59	* TypeCasting: The series relied on certain actors to portray certain character types. It usually became familiar with the audiences and knew who was going to do what in the next film before any regular faces appeared on the screen.
60	* UnfinishedEpisode: There were several planned films that were due to be created but many never saw past the scriptwriting.
61	** ''What a Carry On'', planned for 1961, no details known.
62	** ''Carry On Smoking'' was planned to be released in 1961 that was set in a fire station, which had a plot similar to ''Film/CarryOnConstable'', but there has been no reason given to why it was scrapped.
63	** ''Carry On Again, Nurse'' was attempted to be brought back a couple of times -- the first attempt became ''Film/CarryOnDoctor''. The second attempt came in 1979, after the series left Rank Films and moved to Hemdale. A completed script had been written by Creator/GeorgeLayton and Jonathan Lynn in 1977. It was cancelled due to the financial loss of ''Film/CarryOnEmmannuelle''. The third and final attempt came in [[Script/CarryOnAgainNurse 1988]], with a script written by Norman Hudis. It was to revolve around a hospital set for closure, and set to star original actors Barbara Windsor, Jack Douglas, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Kenneth Connor, and Joan Sims, with Sims filling in the role of matron that was previously held by Hattie Jacques. The end of the film was going to be a tribute to Jacques, with Sims turning around a photograph of the actress and asking "Well, did I do alright?" Production was scheduled to begin in June 1988, but the deaths of Williams and Hawtrey, combined with a budget of £1.5 million which was deemed too expensive, proved to be the end of the film and it was cancelled.
64	** ''Carry On Flying'' was abandoned in 1962, which was about RAF recruits -- presumably a bit like ''Carry On Constable''.
65	** ''Carry On, Spaceman'' was to be released shortly after ''Film/CarryOnRegardless'', in 1961. It was scripted by Norman Hudis, and was to satirise interests in the Space Race from the Western world's point of view. The cast was to consist of three would-be astronauts who constantly bungled on their training and their mission into outer space – most likely the trio would have been played by the trinity of Kenneth Williams, Kenneth Connor, and Leslie Phillips that had been established in ''Carry On Constable''. Attempts to revive it in 1962 under Denis Gifford, again by Hudis, failed, and the project was subsequently abandoned.
66	** ''Carry On Robin'', a planned spoof of Myth/RobinHood was outlined by Creator/GeraldThomas and registered with the British Film Producers Association in 1965, but never pursued.
67	** ''Carry On Escaping''. Scripted by Talbot Rothwell in 1973, a spoof of World War II escape films.
68	** ''Carry On Series/{{Dallas}}'' was written in 1980 and casting offers made to Williams, Connor, Douglas, Sims, Hawtrey and Dale. The production was abandoned when Lorimar Productions demanded a royalty fee of 20 times the total production budget.
69	** ''Carry On Down Under''. In 1981, Gerald Thomas did some location scouting while on holiday in Australia and spoke to the Australian Film Commission. The production was abandoned when finance fell through.
70	* WhatCouldHaveBeen: On top of these sections (DevelopmentHell and MissingEpisode), there many moments of this.
71	** Ted Ray could've continued the series after ''Film/CarryOnTeacher'', but his contract with another production company held him back. This paved the way for Creator/SidJames to appear in ''Carry On Constable'' and a successful career after that.
72	*** Alternatively, Sid James being unavailable to appear in ''Follow That Camel!'' and ''Film/CarryOnScreaming!''
73	** Creator/HarrySecombe potentially portraying UsefulNotes/HenryVIII in ''Film/CarryOnHenry''.
74	** Creator/BarbaraWindsor was originally wanted to portray Cleopatra in ''Film/CarryOnCleo'', but a private mishap occurred between her and the production team, which made them choose Creator/AmandaBarrie. She eventually got the team's intended wishes by playing her during the first Carry On stage production.
75	** Creator/DeborahKerr was offered the leading role in ''Film/CarryOnScreaming'', but she turned it down.
76	** Creator/LesliePhillips, having made a good impression in ''Nurse'', ''Teacher'' and ''Constable'', was asked to be a regular castmember, but he turned it down, due to fears of {{Typecasting}} and a desire to do more serious work. One can only wonder what the series would have been like if he'd stayed on (though he did return for ''Columbus'').

Context Trivia / CarryOnSeries