What was the last film you watched?

[Mel O'Drama]

Nothing Barred (1961)

Lots of familiar faces: Terry Scott; Bernard Cribbins; Irene Handl; Ann Firbank; Amelia Bayntun.

Even a young Andrew Sachs and Sheila Mercier. Not that I realised it was them until I saw the end credits.

Ah, that explains the Carry On tubes in my YouTube suggestions.

You could do worse than watch some of those early Carry Ons, Willie.​

 

[Willie Oleson]

You could do worse than watch some of those early Carry Ons, Willie

The Carry On movie appears to be one of those things that belongs in a Quintessential British Top 10. I'm only familiar with the French equivalent, the Louis De Funès movies, hysterical comedies with a whiff of ooh-la-la - and lots of shouting in French.
I don't remember if I enjoyed them, but since movies-on-TV were rather scarce in those days (especially the more recent ones) it didn't seem very relevant.

I wouldn't mind checking out a Carry On movie to see what it has to offer apart from the comedy itself, but without the nostalgia and without the fun of recognizing actors whom - I assume - never became household names outside the UK, it might be quite a different experience for me. Not to mention the possible references to aspects of life in 1960s England, all those things I'm painfully unaware of.

Gee, I didn't mean to make it sound so disclaimer-ish.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

The Carry On movie appears to be one of those things that belongs in a Quintessential British Top 10.

Yes indeed.

without the nostalgia and without the fun of recognizing actors whom - I assume - never became household names outside the UK, it might be quite a different experience for me.

Although the first Doctor also happens to be in the first Carry On.

Actually, many of the actors in the films are, even to many Brits, little known outside of the series itself. The fun comes from seeing those same actors in different situations, ostensibly playing different roles but invariably using the same characterisations.


But you're quite correct, of course. Without the element of nostalgia - and to a degree context - it would make for a very different viewing experience. If you ever do dive in I'd be interested in seeing that perspective. But I understand that because of these reasons it simply may not appeal.

 

[thomaswak]

Watched Joker yesterday. It was good, but as not as good as the hype made me think.

 

[Kenny Coyote]

I saw Free Ride recently. Have any of you seen it? What did you think?

It's a cool movie. I like the way it conveys the mood, the atmosphere of the 1970s in Florida. It kind of makes you feel like you're right there.

 

[Toni]

I just watched this very charming little comedy from 1984 titled "Garbo Talks". It's the story of an eccentric mother (wonderful Anne Bancroft) and her good-spirited son (splendid Ron Silver). They live in N.Y.C. and are surrounded by other eccentric funny characters like the son’s posh wife (hilarious Carrie Fisher), his workmates and her ex-husband. AB always wanted to meet Greta Garbo (who at the time happened to live as a recluse in an N.Y.C. apartment), and her son does everything he can to make it possible.

Other things happen that would spoil the movie, which is very recommendable for a quiet afternoon, preferably alone or with your dog. It's not a rom-com, thank God. Also, it works as a sort of "prequel" to "Torch Song Trilogy", but only because its star and author Harvey Fierstein has a couple of delicious scenes with Ron, not with Anne, who would play his mum on TST. As most times, HF plays a proud gay with a big heart. Also, in a scene in a park you can see Mary McDonnell with one line of dialogue (blink and you miss her!). I loved this very underrated movie.

 

[Swami]

Crocodile Dundee.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Crocodile Dundee II.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Carry On Regardless.

Swami

 

[Seaviewer]

The Carry On movies were (and are) very popular here but, personally, I never liked that broad style of British comedy. There seemed to be a phase there for a while when someone would say "toilet" and everyone would laugh and that would be about it. Take Sid James, for example. He was excellent as the foil to Tony Hancock's more thoughtful humour but on his own he could be quite vulgar. I did like his Bless This House TV sitcom, though.

 

[Seaviewer]

The Huntsman: Winter's War (2016)

An unnecessary but nonetheless entertaining companion piece to 2012's Snow White and the Huntsman. The big question, of course, is why Snow White never shows up when her friends are in trouble, but I suppose you could ask that about a lot of spin-offs.

 

[Swami]

The Carry On movies were (and are) very popular here but, personally, I never liked that broad style of British comedy. There seemed to be a phase there for a while when someone would say "toilet" and everyone would laugh and that would be about it. Take Sid James, for example. He was excellent as the foil to Tony Hancock's more thoughtful humour but on his own he could be quite vulgar. I did like his Bless This House TV sitcom, though.

The very last Carry Ons were like that following the loss of so many of the main performers. But the bulk of the movies were great.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Carry On Cruising.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Carry On Cabby.

Swami

 

[Mel O'Drama]

The Carry On movies were (and are) very popular here but, personally, I never liked that broad style of British comedy.

Yes - it's not going to be for everyone. I think they fall into the category that people definitely know whether or not they like them.

For me they have the benefit of nostalgia, but they're also fascinating little time capsules of a Britain that never was. The period films with fancy costumes are - in general - considered better, but the "contemporary" films are perhaps the most vintage looking ones because they've dated. There are all these Sixties and Seventies clothes, plus old shops, streets with hardly any traffic and British Leyland cars on the drives. All of which I love.

The first six films had a different writer and were less broad than the series became. They were still formulaic, but there was also a real heart to them. Unfortunately, all the films tend to get grouped in together, and the early ones aren't the first image that comes to mind for most when the term "Carry On" is used.

 

[Swami]

Carry On Jack.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Carry On Spying.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Carry On Cleo.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Carry On Cowboy.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Carry On Screaming.

Swami