Carry On Laughing: Difference between revisions

From The Goon Show Depository
No edit summary
 
(3 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|British television comedy series}}
: ''This article describes the all-original 1975 TV series. Not to be confused with the later "Carry On" film-clip compilations or [[Carry On Laughing (stage show)|the stage play]] of the same name''.
: ''This article describes the all-original 1975 TV series. Not to be confused with the later "Carry On" film-clip compilations or [[w:Carry On Laughing (stage show)|the stage play]] of the same name''.
 
{{Unreferenced|date=December 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2014}}
{{Infobox television
{{Infobox television
| image                = Carry on Laughing TV series titlecard.jpg
| image                = Carry on Laughing TV series titlecard.jpg
Line 9: Line 6:
| caption              =
| caption              =
| alt_name            =
| alt_name            =
| genre                = [[w:Comedy|Comedy]]
| genre                = [[Comedy|Comedy]]
| creator              =
| creator              =
| developer            =
| developer            =
Line 59: Line 56:
| related              =
| related              =
}}
}}
'''''Carry On Laughing''''' is a [[British television]] comedy series produced in 1975 for [[Associated Television|ATV]]. Based on the ''[[Carry On (franchise)|Carry On]]'' films, it was an attempt to address the films' declining cinema attendance by transferring the franchise to television. Many of the original cast members were featured in the series.
'''''Carry On Laughing''''' is a [[British television|British television]] comedy series produced in 1975 for [[Associated Television|ATV]]. Based on the ''[[Carry On (franchise)|Carry On]]'' films, it was an attempt to address the films' declining cinema attendance by transferring the franchise to television. Many of the original cast members were featured in the series.


''Carry on Laughing'' ran for two series, the first for six half-hour episodes and the second for seven episodes. The episode ''Orgy and Bess'' featured the final ''Carry On'' performances of both [[Sid James]] and [[Hattie Jacques]].
''Carry on Laughing'' ran for two series, the first for six half-hour episodes and the second for seven episodes. The episode ''Orgy and Bess'' featured the final ''Carry On'' performances of both [[Sid James]] and [[Hattie Jacques]].
Line 70: Line 67:
In the absence of Rothwell, other writers were brought in. Lew Schwarz and experienced ''Carry On'' writer [[Dave Freeman (British writer)|Dave Freeman]] each wrote six, while [[Barry Cryer]] and [[Dick Vosburgh]] penned ''Orgy and Bess''.
In the absence of Rothwell, other writers were brought in. Lew Schwarz and experienced ''Carry On'' writer [[Dave Freeman (British writer)|Dave Freeman]] each wrote six, while [[Barry Cryer]] and [[Dick Vosburgh]] penned ''Orgy and Bess''.


Each episode parodied a famous TV series, film or book. Three episodes feature a character based on [[w:Lord Peter Wimsey|Lord Peter Wimsey]] - Lord Peter Flimsy. Another two episodes are nods to ''[[w:Upstairs, Downstairs (1971 TV series)|Upstairs, Downstairs]]'', with the character of Hudson the butler parodied as Clodson, and the cook Mrs. Bridges as Mrs. Breeches.
Each episode parodied a famous TV series, film or book. Three episodes feature a character based on [[Lord Peter Wimsey|Lord Peter Wimsey]] - Lord Peter Flimsy. Another two episodes are nods to ''[[Upstairs, Downstairs (1971 TV series)|Upstairs, Downstairs]]'', with the character of Hudson the butler parodied as Clodson, and the cook Mrs. Bridges as Mrs. Breeches.


The series provided an opportunity for [[David Lodge (actor)|David Lodge]] - little more than a bit-part player in some of the later ''Carry On'' films - to play leading characters.
The series provided an opportunity for [[David Lodge (actor)|David Lodge]] - little more than a bit-part player in some of the later ''Carry On'' films - to play leading characters.
Line 78: Line 75:
[[Associated Television|ATV]] had already helped to bring the ''Carry On''s to the small screen in 1973, when it broadcast ''What A Carry On'', a one-off show hosted by [[Shaw Taylor]] featuring clips from the stage play ''Carry On London'' and interviews with its stars - Sid James, Barbara Windsor, Bernard Bresslaw, Kenneth Connor, Peter Butterworth and Jack Douglas. It is believed that this footage is missing from the archives.
[[Associated Television|ATV]] had already helped to bring the ''Carry On''s to the small screen in 1973, when it broadcast ''What A Carry On'', a one-off show hosted by [[Shaw Taylor]] featuring clips from the stage play ''Carry On London'' and interviews with its stars - Sid James, Barbara Windsor, Bernard Bresslaw, Kenneth Connor, Peter Butterworth and Jack Douglas. It is believed that this footage is missing from the archives.


''What A Carry On'' was also the title of a [[BBC]] series of classic clips from the films.
''What A Carry On'' was also the title of a [[BBC|BBC]] series of classic clips from the films.


==Episodes==
==Episodes==
Line 252: Line 249:
The title ''Carry On Laughing'' was also used for:
The title ''Carry On Laughing'' was also used for:
*a ''Carry On'' stage play performed in Scarborough in 1976 and featuring series regulars [[Jack Douglas (actor)|Jack Douglas]], [[Kenneth Connor]], [[Peter Butterworth]] and [[Liz Fraser]].
*a ''Carry On'' stage play performed in Scarborough in 1976 and featuring series regulars [[Jack Douglas (actor)|Jack Douglas]], [[Kenneth Connor]], [[Peter Butterworth]] and [[Liz Fraser]].
*a series of television programmes shown by [[Thames Television]] from 1981 to 1984, featuring classic clips from the ''Carry On'' film series, although footage was also drawn from other British comedy films of the era, such as the movie spin-offs of ''[[On the Buses]]'' and ''[[Steptoe and Son]]''.  In 1983, a Christmas special of this series was made, entitled ''Carry On Laughing's Christmas Classics'', featuring classic film clips, linked by newly filmed material with [[Kenneth Williams]] and [[Barbara Windsor]].
*a series of television programmes shown by [[Thames Television|Thames Television]] from 1981 to 1984, featuring classic clips from the ''Carry On'' film series, although footage was also drawn from other British comedy films of the era, such as the movie spin-offs of ''[[On the Buses]]'' and ''[[Steptoe and Son]]''.  In 1983, a Christmas special of this series was made, entitled ''Carry On Laughing's Christmas Classics'', featuring classic film clips, linked by newly filmed material with [[Kenneth Williams]] and [[Barbara Windsor]].


==DVD releases==
==DVD releases==
Line 274: Line 271:
==External links==
==External links==
* {{IMDb title|0157218|Carry on Laughing!}}
* {{IMDb title|0157218|Carry on Laughing!}}
*[http://www.thewhippitinn.com/carry_on_tv/carry_on_laughing/''Carry on Laughing!''] at The Whippit Inn
*[http://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/tv/carry_on_laughing/episodes/1/1/''Carry on Laughing''] at The British Comedy Guide
*[http://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/tv/carry_on_laughing/episodes/1/1/''Carry on Laughing''] at The British Comedy Guide
{{Carry On Films}}
{{Carry On Films}}

Latest revision as of 11:20, 14 February 2023

This article describes the all-original 1975 TV series. Not to be confused with the later "Carry On" film-clip compilations or the stage play of the same name.
Carry On Laughing
Series title held by cartoon figures
GenreComedy
Directed byAlan Tarrant
Starring
ComposersJohn Marshall and Ritchie Tattersall
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series2
No. of episodes13
Production
Executive producerPeter Rogers
ProducerGerald Thomas
Running time24–26 minutes
Production companyAssociated Television
Original release
NetworkITV
Release4 January (1975-01-04) –
7 December 1975 (1975-12-07)

Carry On Laughing is a British television comedy series produced in 1975 for ATV. Based on the Carry On films, it was an attempt to address the films' declining cinema attendance by transferring the franchise to television. Many of the original cast members were featured in the series.

Carry on Laughing ran for two series, the first for six half-hour episodes and the second for seven episodes. The episode Orgy and Bess featured the final Carry On performances of both Sid James and Hattie Jacques.

The TV series is not as widely known as the original films, which - by contrast - are broadcast regularly on British television.

Production

The series was conceived after the departures of two long-serving Carry On contributors: writer Talbot Rothwell and actor Charles Hawtrey. Furthermore, Kenneth Williams declined to appear in the series. Other Carry On regulars only appeared in a minority of episodes: Sid James in only the first four, Hattie Jacques in only one; and Bernard Bresslaw appeared only in the second series.

In the absence of Rothwell, other writers were brought in. Lew Schwarz and experienced Carry On writer Dave Freeman each wrote six, while Barry Cryer and Dick Vosburgh penned Orgy and Bess.

Each episode parodied a famous TV series, film or book. Three episodes feature a character based on Lord Peter Wimsey - Lord Peter Flimsy. Another two episodes are nods to Upstairs, Downstairs, with the character of Hudson the butler parodied as Clodson, and the cook Mrs. Bridges as Mrs. Breeches.

The series provided an opportunity for David Lodge - little more than a bit-part player in some of the later Carry On films - to play leading characters.

Note

ATV had already helped to bring the Carry Ons to the small screen in 1973, when it broadcast What A Carry On, a one-off show hosted by Shaw Taylor featuring clips from the stage play Carry On London and interviews with its stars - Sid James, Barbara Windsor, Bernard Bresslaw, Kenneth Connor, Peter Butterworth and Jack Douglas. It is believed that this footage is missing from the archives.

What A Carry On was also the title of a BBC series of classic clips from the films.

Episodes

Series 1

No.
overall 		No. in
series 		Title Directed by Written by Original air date
11"The Prisoner of Spenda"Alan TarrantDave Freeman4 January 1975 (4 January 1975)

Starring Sid James, Barbara Windsor, Peter Butterworth, Joan Sims, Kenneth Connor, Jack Douglas, David Lodge and Ronnie Brody

Parody of The Prisoner of Zenda
22"The Baron Outlook"Alan TarrantDave Freeman11 January 1975 (11 January 1975)
Starring Sid James, Joan Sims, Barbara Windsor, Kenneth Connor, Peter Butterworth, Diane Langton, and David Lodge
33"The Sobbing Cavalier"Alan TarrantDave Freeman18 January 1975 (18 January 1975)

Starring Sid James, Jack Douglas, Barbara Windsor, Joan Sims, Peter Butterworth, David Lodge and Bernard Holley

Parody of The English Civil War
44"Orgy and Bess"Alan TarrantBarry Cryer and Dick Vosburgh25 January 1975 (25 January 1975)

Starring Sid James, Kenneth Connor, Barbara Windsor, Hattie Jacques, and Jack Douglas

Parody of Sir Francis Drake and the Spanish Armada
55"One in the Eye for Harold"Alan TarrantLew Schwarz1 February 1975 (1 February 1975)
Starring Jack Douglas, Kenneth Connor, Joan Sims, Diane Langton, David Lodge, Norman Chappell, Patsy Smart, Jerold Wells and Billy Cornelius
66"The Nine Old Cobblers"Alan TarrantDave Freeman8 February 1975 (8 February 1975)
Lord Peter Flimsy (Jack Douglas) and his butler Punter (Kenneth Connor) are summoned by Ameila Forbush (Joan Sims) to the village of Sincreek to solve a murder when a dead body is found on stage during Miss Dawkins's (Patsy Rowlands) solo at an amateur village hall concert. The first of three appearances of Flimsy (a parody of Lord Peter Wimsey), this episode also stars Barbara Windsor and David Lodge.

Series 2

No.
overall 		No. in
series 		Title Directed by Written by Original air date
71"Under the Round Table"Alan TarrantLew Schwarz26 October 1975 (26 October 1975)

Starring Kenneth Connor, Joan Sims, Peter Butterworth, Bernard Bresslaw, Jack Douglas, Oscar James, Victor Maddern, Norman Chappell, Ronnie Brody, Brian Capron, Desmond McNamara and Billy Cornelius

Parody of King Arthur
82"The Case of the Screaming Winkles"Alan TarrantDave Freeman2 November 1975 (2 November 1975)
Starring Jack Douglas, Kenneth Connor, Joan Sims, Peter Butterworth, David Lodge and Melvyn Hayes
93"And in My Lady's Chamber"Alan TarrantLew Schwarz9 November 1975 (9 November 1975)

Starring Kenneth Connor, Joan Sims, Peter Butterworth, Bernard Bresslaw, Jack Douglas, Sherrie Hewson, Andrew Ray and Carol Hawkins

Parody of Upstairs, Downstairs
104"Short Knight, Long Daze"Alan TarrantLew Schwarz16 November 1975 (16 November 1975)
Starring Kenneth Connor, Barbara Windsor, Joan Sims, Peter Butterworth, Bernard Bresslaw, Jack Douglas, Norman Chappell, Brian Capron, Susan Skipper and Desmond McNamara.
115"The Case of the Coughing Parrot"Alan TarrantDave Freeman23 November 1975 (23 November 1975)
Starring Jack Douglas, Kenneth Connor, Joan Sims, David Lodge, Sherrie Hewson, Peter Butterworth, Norman Chappell and Johnny Briggs
126"Who Needs Kitchener?"Alan TarrantLew Schwarz30 November 1975 (30 November 1975)

Starring Kenneth Connor, Barbara Windsor, Jack Douglas, Joan Sims, Bernard Bresslaw, Andrew Ray, Sherrie Hewson and Carol Hawkins

Parody of the First World War
137"Lamp Posts of the Empire"Alan TarrantLew Schwarz7 December 1975 (7 December 1975)
Starring Barbara Windsor, Kenneth Connor, Jack Douglas, Bernard Bresslaw, Peter Butterworth, Oscar James, Norman Chappell, and Michael Nightingale

See also

Further information: Carry On series on screen and stage § Television

Related use of the title

The title Carry On Laughing was also used for:

DVD releases

The entire series was released as DVD bonus features spread over various UK releases of Carry On films. A complete 13-episode collection was released in a 2-Disc DVD box set on 25 May 2004 by A&E Home Video, under licence from Carlton International Media Limited (Region 1 format, US and Canada).

Bibliography

  • Davidson, Andy (2012). Carry On Confidential. London: Miwk. ISBN 978-1-908630-01-8.
  • Sheridan, Simon (2011). Keeping the British End Up - Four Decades of Saucy Cinema. London: Titan Books. ISBN 978-0-85768-279-6.
  • Webber, Richard (2009). 50 Years of Carry On. London: Arrow. ISBN 978-0-09-949007-4.
  • Hudis, Norman (2008). No Laughing Matter. London: Apex. ISBN 978-1-906358-15-0.
  • Keeping the British End Up: Four Decades of Saucy Cinema by Simon Sheridan (third edition) (2007) (Reynolds & Hearn Books)
  • Ross, Robert (2002). The Carry On Companion. London: Batsford. ISBN 978-0-7134-8771-8.
  • Bright, Morris; Ross, Robert (2000). Mr Carry On - The Life & Work of Peter Rogers. London: BBC Books. ISBN 978-0-563-55183-6.
  • Rigelsford, Adrian (1996). Carry On Laughing - a celebration. London: Virgin. ISBN 1-85227-554-5.
  • Hibbin, Sally & Nina (1988). What a Carry On. London: Hamlyn. ISBN 978-0-600-55819-4.
  • Eastaugh, Kenneth (1978). The Carry On Book. London: David & Charles. ISBN 978-0-7153-7403-0.

References

External links

Retrieved from "https://www.thegoonshow.co.uk/wiki/index.php?title=Carry_On_Laughing&oldid=37956"