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{{short description|1992 film by Gerald Thomas}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2013}}
{{More citations needed|date=May 2014}}
{{Infobox film| name = Carry On Columbus
{{Infobox film| name = Carry On Columbus
| image_size =
| image = Carry On Columbus FilmPoster.jpeg
| image = Carry On Columbus FilmPoster.jpeg
| caption = Original UK quad poster
| caption = Original UK quad poster
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| producer = John Goldstone<br>[[Peter Rogers]] <small>(executive producer)</small>
| producer = John Goldstone<br>[[Peter Rogers]] <small>(executive producer)</small>
| writer = [[Dave Freeman (British writer)|Dave Freeman]]<br>[[John Antrobus]]
| writer = [[Dave Freeman (British writer)|Dave Freeman]]<br>[[John Antrobus]]
| starring = [[Jim Dale]]<br>[[Bernard Cribbins]]<br>[[Maureen Lipman]]<br>[[Peter Richardson (actor)|Peter Richardson]]<br>[[Alexei Sayle]]<br>[[Jack Douglas (actor)|Jack Douglas]]<br>[[Rik Mayall]]<br>[[Charles Fleischer]]<br>[[Larry Miller (comedian)|Larry Miller]]<br>[[Leslie Phillips]]<br>[[Julian Clary]]<br>[[Sara Crowe]]<br>[[Rebecca Lacey]]<br>[[Nigel Planer]]<br>[[June Whitfield]]<br>[[Richard Wilson (Scottish actor)|Richard Wilson]]
| starring = [[Jim Dale|Jim Dale]]<br>[[Bernard Cribbins|Bernard Cribbins]]<br>[[Maureen Lipman|Maureen Lipman]]<br>[[Peter Richardson (actor)|Peter Richardson]]<br>[[Alexei Sayle|Alexei Sayle]]<br>[[Jack Douglas (actor)|Jack Douglas]]<br>[[Rik Mayall]]<br>[[Charles Fleischer|Charles Fleischer]]<br>[[Larry Miller (comedian)|Larry Miller]]<br>[[Leslie Phillips|Leslie Phillips]]<br>[[Julian Clary|Julian Clary]]<br>[[Sara Crowe|Sara Crowe]]<br>[[Rebecca Lacey|Rebecca Lacey]]<br>[[Nigel Planer|Nigel Planer]]<br>[[June Whitfield]]<br>[[Richard Wilson (Scottish actor)|Richard Wilson]]
| music = [[John Du Prez]]
| music = [[John Du Prez|John Du Prez]]
| cinematography = [[Alan Hume]]
| cinematography = [[Alan Hume|Alan Hume]]
| editing = Chris Blunden
| editing = Chris Blunden
| studio = [[Island World]]
| studio = [[Island World|Island World]]
| distributor = [[United International Pictures]] (UK)
| distributor = [[United International Pictures|United International Pictures]] (UK)
| released = 2 October 1992
| released = 2 October 1992
| runtime = 91 minutes
| runtime = 91 minutes
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| language = English
| language = English
| budget = £2.5 million
| budget = £2.5 million
| gross  = £1.7 million<ref name=gross>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Screen International]]|date=29 January 1993|page=15|title=UK Top 50 Films}}</ref>
| gross  = £1.7 million<ref name=gross>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Screen International|]]|date=29 January 1993|page=15|title=UK Top 50 Films}}</ref>
}}
}}


'''''Carry On Columbus''''' is a 1992 [[British comedy]] film, the 31st and final release in the [[Carry On (film series)|''Carry On'' film series]] (1958–1992). The film was a belated entry to the series, following 1978's ''[[Carry On Emmannuelle]]''. It was produced to coincide with the [[Columbus Quincentenary|500th anniversary]] of [[Christopher Columbus]]'s arrival in the Americas (two other more serious films on the subject, ''[[1492: Conquest of Paradise]]'' and ''[[Christopher Columbus: The Discovery]]'' came out the same year).
'''''Carry On Columbus''''' is a 1992 [[British comedy|British comedy]] film, the 31st and final release in the [[Carry On (film series)|''Carry On'' film series]] (1958–1992). The film was a belated entry to the series, following 1978's ''[[Carry On Emmannuelle]]''. It was produced to coincide with the [[Columbus Quincentenary|500th anniversary]] of [[Christopher Columbus|Christopher Columbus]]'s arrival in the Americas.


==Plot==
==Plot==
Christopher Columbus ([[Jim Dale]]) believes he can find an alternative route to the far East and persuades the King ([[Leslie Phillips]]) and Queen of Spain ([[June Whitfield]]) to finance his expedition. But the Sultan of Turkey ([[Rik Mayall]]), who makes a great deal of money through taxing the merchants who have to pass through his country on the current route, sends his best spy, Fatima ([[Sara Crowe]]), to wreck the trip...
Christopher Columbus ([[Jim Dale|Jim Dale]]) believes he can find an alternative route to the far East and persuades the King ([[Leslie Phillips|Leslie Phillips]]) and Queen of Spain ([[June Whitfield]]) to finance his expedition. But the Sultan of Turkey ([[Rik Mayall]]), who makes a great deal of money through taxing the merchants who have to pass through his country on the current route, sends his best spy, Fatima ([[Sara Crowe|Sara Crowe]]), to wreck the trip...


==Cast==
==Cast==
{{castlist|
{{castlist|
*[[Jim Dale]] as [[Christopher Columbus]]
*[[Jim Dale|Jim Dale]] as [[Christopher Columbus]]
*[[Bernard Cribbins]] as Mordecai Mendoza
*[[Bernard Cribbins|Bernard Cribbins]] as Mordecai Mendoza
*[[Maureen Lipman]] as Countess Esmerelda
*[[Maureen Lipman|Maureen Lipman]] as Countess Esmerelda
*[[Peter Richardson (actor)|Peter Richardson]] as Bart Columbus
*[[Peter Richardson (actor)|Peter Richardson]] as Bart Columbus
*[[Alexei Sayle]] as Achmed
*[[Alexei Sayle|Alexei Sayle]] as Achmed
*[[Rik Mayall]] as The Sultan
*[[Rik Mayall]] as The Sultan
*[[Sara Crowe]] as Fatima
*[[Sara Crowe|Sara Crowe]] as Fatima
*[[Julian Clary]] as Don Juan Diego
*[[Julian Clary]] as Don Juan Diego
*[[Keith Allen (actor)|Keith Allen]] as Pepi the Poisoner
*[[Keith Allen (actor)|Keith Allen]] as Pepi the Poisoner
*[[Leslie Phillips]] as King Ferdinand
*[[Leslie Phillips|Leslie Phillips]] as King Ferdinand
*[[Jon Pertwee]] as the Duke of Costa Brava
*[[Jon Pertwee]] as the Duke of Costa Brava
*[[Richard Wilson (Scottish actor)|Richard Wilson]] as Don Juan Felipe
*[[Richard Wilson (Scottish actor)|Richard Wilson]] as Don Juan Felipe
*[[Rebecca Lacey]] as Chiquita
*[[Rebecca Lacey|Rebecca Lacey]] as Chiquita
*[[June Whitfield]] as Queen Isabella
*[[June Whitfield]] as Queen Isabella
*[[Nigel Planer]] as The Wazir
*[[Nigel Planer|Nigel Planer]] as The Wazir
*[[Larry Miller (comedian)|Larry Miller]] as The Chief
*[[Larry Miller (comedian)|Larry Miller]] as The Chief
*[[Jack Douglas (actor)|Jack Douglas]] as Marco the Cereal Killer
*[[Jack Douglas (actor)|Jack Douglas]] as Marco the Cereal Killer
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*[[Burt Kwouk]] as Wang
*[[Burt Kwouk]] as Wang
*[[Philip Herbert (actor)|Philip Herbert]] as Ginger
*[[Philip Herbert (actor)|Philip Herbert]] as Ginger
*[[Tony Slattery]] as Baba the Messenger
*[[Tony Slattery|Tony Slattery]] as Baba the Messenger
*[[Martin Clunes]] as Martin
*[[Martin Clunes|Martin Clunes]] as Martin
*David Boyce as Customer with ear
*David Boyce as Customer with ear
*[[Sara Stockbridge]] as Nina the model
*[[Sara Stockbridge|Sara Stockbridge]] as Nina the model
*[[Holly Aird]] as Maria
*[[Holly Aird|Holly Aird]] as Maria
*[[James Faulkner (actor)|James Faulkner]] as [[Tomas de Torquemada]]
*[[James Faulkner (actor)|James Faulkner]] as [[Tomas de Torquemada|Tomas de Torquemada]]
*[[Don Maclean]] as Inquisitor with ham sandwiches
*[[Don Maclean|Don Maclean]] as Inquisitor with ham sandwiches
*[[Dave Freeman (British writer)|Dave Freeman]] as Inquisitor
*[[Dave Freeman (British writer)|Dave Freeman]] as Inquisitor
*[[Duncan Duff]] as Inquisitor
*[[Duncan Duff|Duncan Duff]] as Inquisitor
*Jonathan Tafler as Inquisitor
*Jonathan Tafler as Inquisitor
*James Pertwee as Inquisitor
*James Pertwee as Inquisitor
*[[Perry Cree]] as Inquisitor
*Perry Cree as Inquisitor
*Toby Dale as Inquisitor
*Toby Dale as Inquisitor
*Michael Hobbs as Inquisitor
*Michael Hobbs as Inquisitor
*[[Peter Grant (music manager)|Peter Grant]] as Cardinal
*[[Peter Grant (music manager)|Peter Grant]] as Cardinal
*Su Douglas as Countess Joanna
*Su Douglas as Countess Joanna
*[[John Antrobus]] as Manservant
*[[John Antrobus|John Antrobus]] as Manservant
*[[Lynda Baron]] as Meg
*[[Lynda Baron]] as Meg
*[[Allan Corduner]] as Sam
*[[Allan Corduner|Allan Corduner]] as Sam
*[[Nejdet Salih]] as Fayid
*[[Nejdet Salih|Nejdet Salih]] as Fayid
*[[Mark Arden]] as Mark
*[[Mark Arden|Mark Arden]] as Mark
*Silvestre Tobias as Abdullah
*Silvestre Tobias as Abdullah
*[[Daniel Peacock]] as Tonto the Torch
*[[Daniel Peacock|Daniel Peacock]] as Tonto the Torch
*[[Don Henderson]] as The Bosun
*[[Don Henderson]] as The Bosun
*[[Harold Berens]] as Cecil the Torturer
*[[Harold Berens]] as Cecil the Torturer
*[[Peter Gilmore]] as Governor of the Canaries
*[[Peter Gilmore]] as Governor of the Canaries
*[[Marc Sinden]] as Captain Perez
*[[Marc Sinden|Marc Sinden]] as Captain Perez
*[[Charles Fleischer]] as Pontiac
*[[Charles Fleischer|Charles Fleischer]] as Pontiac
*[[Chris Langham]] as Hubba
*[[Chris Langham|Chris Langham]] as Hubba
*Reed Martin as Poco Hontas
*Reed Martin as Poco Hontas
*Prudence Solomon as Ha
*Prudence Solomon as Ha
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==Production==
==Production==
===Casting===
===Casting===
Main series regulars present are [[Jim Dale]] (in his eleventh ''Carry On''), [[Peter Gilmore]] (also in his eleventh), [[Bernard Cribbins]] (in his third), [[Leslie Phillips]] (in his fourth), [[Jon Pertwee]] (in his fourth) and [[June Whitfield]] (also in her fourth). The only actor to bridge the gap between ''Carry On Columbus'' and the previous entry was [[Jack Douglas (actor)|Jack Douglas]], making his eighth appearance in the series.
Main series regulars present are [[Jim Dale|Jim Dale]] (in his eleventh ''Carry On''), [[Peter Gilmore]] (also in his eleventh), [[Bernard Cribbins|Bernard Cribbins]] (in his third), [[Leslie Phillips|Leslie Phillips]] (in his fourth), [[Jon Pertwee]] (in his fourth) and [[June Whitfield]] (also in her fourth). The only actor to bridge the gap between ''Carry On Columbus'' and the previous entry was [[Jack Douglas (actor)|Jack Douglas]], making his eighth appearance in the series.


Original ''Carry On'' performer [[Frankie Howerd]] was signed up to appear, but he died shortly before he was due to film his role. His part as the King of Spain was offered to original series regular [[Bernard Bresslaw]], who turned it down. [[Leslie Phillips]] eventually took on the role, playing opposite [[June Whitfield]] as the Queen, a role turned down by both [[Joan Sims]] and [[Barbara Windsor]].
Original ''Carry On'' performer [[Frankie Howerd]] was signed up to appear, but he died shortly before he was due to film his role. His part as the King of Spain was offered to original series regular [[Bernard Bresslaw]], who turned it down. Leslie Phillips eventually took on the role, playing opposite June Whitfield as the Queen, a role turned down by both [[Joan Sims]] and [[Barbara Windsor]].


Veteran ''Carry On'' performer [[Kenneth Connor]] was offered a cameo role in the film but he turned it down, saying "I want to be remembered as a ''Carry On'' star, not a ''Carry On'' bit-player".
Veteran ''Carry On'' performer [[Kenneth Connor]] was offered a cameo role in the film but he turned it down, saying "I want to be remembered as a ''Carry On'' star, not a ''Carry On'' bit-player".


The producers managed to persuade a number of [[alternative comedy|alternative comedians]] such as [[Peter Richardson (actor)|Peter Richardson]], [[Alexei Sayle]], [[Rik Mayall]], [[Julian Clary]] and [[Nigel Planer]] (all of whom except Clary are from ''[[The Comic Strip]]'') to appear in the film.
The producers managed to persuade a number of [[alternative comedy|alternative comedians]] such as [[Peter Richardson (actor)|Peter Richardson]], [[Alexei Sayle|Alexei Sayle]], [[Rik Mayall]], [[Julian Clary|Julian Clary]] and [[Nigel Planer|Nigel Planer]] (all of whom except Clary are from ''[[The Comic Strip|The Comic Strip]]'') to appear in the film.


This was the last film that [[Gerald Thomas]] directed, as he died on 9 November 1993.
This was the last film that [[Gerald Thomas]] directed, as he died on 9 November 1993.
Line 98: Line 93:
===Filming and locations===
===Filming and locations===


The film was shot between 21 April and 27 May 1992 with interior shooting at [[Pinewood Studios]], Buckinghamshire and location shooting at [[Frensham Common]]. The latter location was previously used nearly 30 years earlier for the similarly nautical ''[[Carry On Jack]]''.
The film was shot between 21 April and 27 May 1992 with interior shooting at [[Pinewood Studios|Pinewood Studios]], Buckinghamshire and location shooting at [[Frensham Common|Frensham Common]]. The latter location was previously used nearly 30 years earlier for the similarly nautical ''[[Carry On Jack]]''.


==Reception==
==Reception==
The film was panned by critics. [[Michael Dwyer (journalist)|Michael Dwyer]] in ''[[The Irish Times]]'' described ''Carry on Columbus'' as a "flaccid, feeble comeback effort" and a "wretched and pathetic attempt which is singularly unfunny".<ref>Michael Dwyer, "Film Reviews". ''The Irish Times'', 2 October 1992, (p.13).</ref> However, ''Carry On Columbus'' took more money at the UK box office (£1,667,249)<ref name=gross/> than the two other Columbus films released in 1992, ''[[Christopher Columbus: The Discovery]]'' and ''[[1492: Conquest of Paradise]]'', although all three films flopped. ''Carry On Columbus'' was also shot on a much lower budget than the other two films, a budget of £2.5 million compared to the other two budgets of $45 million and $47 million respectively.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/21/movies/talk-hollywood-it-s-columbus-against-columbus-with-fortune-profits-stake.html|title=The Talk of Hollywood; It's Columbus Against Columbus, With a Fortune in Profits at Stake|last=Weinraub|first=Bernard|date=1992-05-21|work=The New York Times|access-date=2020-02-01|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
The film was panned by critics. [[Michael Dwyer (journalist)|Michael Dwyer]] in ''[[The Irish Times|The Irish Times]]'' described ''Carry on Columbus'' as a "flaccid, feeble comeback effort" and a "wretched and pathetic attempt which is singularly unfunny".<ref>Michael Dwyer, "Film Reviews". ''The Irish Times'', 2 October 1992, (p.13).</ref> However, ''Carry On Columbus'' took more money at the UK box office (£1,667,249)<ref name=gross/> than the two other Columbus films released in 1992, ''[[Christopher Columbus: The Discovery|Christopher Columbus: The Discovery]]'' and ''[[1492: Conquest of Paradise|1492: Conquest of Paradise]]'', although all three films flopped. ''Carry On Columbus'' was also shot on a much lower budget than the other two films, a budget of £2.5 million compared to the other two budgets of $45 million and $47 million respectively.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/21/movies/talk-hollywood-it-s-columbus-against-columbus-with-fortune-profits-stake.html|title=The Talk of Hollywood; It's Columbus Against Columbus, With a Fortune in Profits at Stake|last=Weinraub|first=Bernard|date=1992-05-21|work=The New York Times|access-date=2020-02-01|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>


In a 2004 poll of British film actors, technicians, writers and directors on British cinema, ''Carry On Columbus''
In a 2004 poll of British film actors, technicians, writers and directors on British cinema, ''Carry On Columbus'' was voted the [[List of films considered the worst|worst British film ever made]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Smallweed |url=https://www.theguardian.com/comment/story/0,3604,1287823,00.html |url-status=live |access-date=9 March 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=21 August 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203165234/https://www.theguardian.com/print/0,,4998649-103677,00.html |archive-date=3 February 2014}}</ref>
was voted the [[List of films considered the worst|worst British film ever made]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Smallweed |url=https://www.theguardian.com/comment/story/0,3604,1287823,00.html |url-status=live |access-date=9 March 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=21 August 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203165234/https://www.theguardian.com/print/0,,4998649-103677,00.html |archive-date=3 February 2014}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
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==External links==
==External links==
*{{IMDb title|0103927}}
*{{IMDb title|0103927}}
*[http://www.thewhippitinn.com/carry_on_films/carry_on_columbus/ ''Carry On Columbus'' at The Whippit Inn]


{{Carry On Films}}
{{Carry On Films}}
{{Gerald Thomas}}
{{Gerald Thomas}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Carry On Columbus}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Carry On Columbus}}
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[[Category:British historical comedy films]]
[[Category:British historical comedy films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Gerald Thomas]]
[[Category:Films directed by Gerald Thomas]]
[[Category:Films scored by John Du Prez]]
[[Category:British parody films]]
[[Category:British parody films]]
[[Category:British sex comedy films]]
[[Category:British sex comedy films]]
[[Category:1990s sex comedy films]]
[[Category:1990s sex comedy films]]
[[Category:1990s historical comedy films]]
[[Category:1990s historical comedy films]]
[[Category:Films set in the 1490s]]
[[Category:Fiction set in 1492]]
[[Category:Films set in Spain]]
[[Category:Films set in pre-Columbian America]]
[[Category:British biographical films]]
[[Category:British biographical films]]
[[Category:Films shot at Pinewood Studios]]
[[Category:Films shot at Pinewood Studios]]
[[Category:Films produced by Peter Rogers]]
[[Category:Films produced by Peter Rogers]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Christopher Columbus]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Isabella I of Castile]]
[[Category:1992 comedy films]]
[[Category:1992 comedy films]]
[[Category:1990s English-language films]]
[[Category:1990s English-language films]]
[[Category:British comedy films]]
[[Category:British maritime comedy films]]

Latest revision as of 22:43, 13 February 2023

Carry On Columbus
Carry On Columbus FilmPoster.jpeg
Original UK quad poster
Directed byGerald Thomas
Written byDave Freeman
John Antrobus
Produced byJohn Goldstone
Peter Rogers (executive producer)
StarringJim Dale
Bernard Cribbins
Maureen Lipman
Peter Richardson
Alexei Sayle
Jack Douglas
Rik Mayall
Charles Fleischer
Larry Miller
Leslie Phillips
Julian Clary
Sara Crowe
Rebecca Lacey
Nigel Planer
June Whitfield
Richard Wilson
CinematographyAlan Hume
Edited byChris Blunden
Music byJohn Du Prez
Production
company
Distributed byUnited International Pictures (UK)
Release date
2 October 1992
Running time
91 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Budget£2.5 million
Box office£1.7 million[1]

Carry On Columbus is a 1992 British comedy film, the 31st and final release in the Carry On film series (1958–1992). The film was a belated entry to the series, following 1978's Carry On Emmannuelle. It was produced to coincide with the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas.

Plot

Christopher Columbus (Jim Dale) believes he can find an alternative route to the far East and persuades the King (Leslie Phillips) and Queen of Spain (June Whitfield) to finance his expedition. But the Sultan of Turkey (Rik Mayall), who makes a great deal of money through taxing the merchants who have to pass through his country on the current route, sends his best spy, Fatima (Sara Crowe), to wreck the trip...

Cast

Production

Casting

Main series regulars present are Jim Dale (in his eleventh Carry On), Peter Gilmore (also in his eleventh), Bernard Cribbins (in his third), Leslie Phillips (in his fourth), Jon Pertwee (in his fourth) and June Whitfield (also in her fourth). The only actor to bridge the gap between Carry On Columbus and the previous entry was Jack Douglas, making his eighth appearance in the series.

Original Carry On performer Frankie Howerd was signed up to appear, but he died shortly before he was due to film his role. His part as the King of Spain was offered to original series regular Bernard Bresslaw, who turned it down. Leslie Phillips eventually took on the role, playing opposite June Whitfield as the Queen, a role turned down by both Joan Sims and Barbara Windsor.

Veteran Carry On performer Kenneth Connor was offered a cameo role in the film but he turned it down, saying "I want to be remembered as a Carry On star, not a Carry On bit-player".

The producers managed to persuade a number of alternative comedians such as Peter Richardson, Alexei Sayle, Rik Mayall, Julian Clary and Nigel Planer (all of whom except Clary are from The Comic Strip) to appear in the film.

This was the last film that Gerald Thomas directed, as he died on 9 November 1993.

Filming and locations

The film was shot between 21 April and 27 May 1992 with interior shooting at Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire and location shooting at Frensham Common. The latter location was previously used nearly 30 years earlier for the similarly nautical Carry On Jack.

Reception

The film was panned by critics. Michael Dwyer in The Irish Times described Carry on Columbus as a "flaccid, feeble comeback effort" and a "wretched and pathetic attempt which is singularly unfunny".[2] However, Carry On Columbus took more money at the UK box office (£1,667,249)[1] than the two other Columbus films released in 1992, Christopher Columbus: The Discovery and 1492: Conquest of Paradise, although all three films flopped. Carry On Columbus was also shot on a much lower budget than the other two films, a budget of £2.5 million compared to the other two budgets of $45 million and $47 million respectively.[3]

In a 2004 poll of British film actors, technicians, writers and directors on British cinema, Carry On Columbus was voted the worst British film ever made.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b "UK Top 50 Films". [[Screen International|]]. 29 January 1993. p. 15.
  2. ^ Michael Dwyer, "Film Reviews". The Irish Times, 2 October 1992, (p.13).
  3. ^ Weinraub, Bernard (1992-05-21). "The Talk of Hollywood; It's Columbus Against Columbus, With a Fortune in Profits at Stake". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-02-01.
  4. ^ "Smallweed". The Guardian. 21 August 2004. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2022.

Bibliography

External links

Retrieved from "https://www.thegoonshow.co.uk/wiki/index.php?title=Carry_On_Columbus&oldid=37791"