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{{Infobox film | {{Infobox film | ||
| name = Carry On Screaming! | | name = Carry On Screaming! | ||
Line 12: | Line 9: | ||
*[[Harry H. Corbett]] | *[[Harry H. Corbett]] | ||
*[[Kenneth Williams]] | *[[Kenneth Williams]] | ||
*[[ | *[[Jim Dale|Jim Dale]] | ||
*[[Charles Hawtrey (actor, born 1914)|Charles Hawtrey]] | *[[Charles Hawtrey (actor, born 1914)|Charles Hawtrey]] | ||
*[[Fenella Fielding]] | *[[Fenella Fielding]] | ||
*[[Joan Sims]] | *[[Joan Sims]] | ||
*[[ | *[[Angela Douglas|Angela Douglas]]}} | ||
| music = [[Eric Rogers (composer)|Eric Rogers]] | | music = [[Eric Rogers (composer)|Eric Rogers]] | ||
| cinematography = [[ | | cinematography = [[Alan Hume|Alan Hume]] | ||
| editing = Rod Keys | | editing = Rod Keys | ||
| studio = {{plainlist| | | studio = {{plainlist| | ||
*[[Anglo-Amalgamated]] | *[[Anglo-Amalgamated]] | ||
*Peter Rogers Productions}} | *Peter Rogers Productions}} | ||
| distributor = [[ | | distributor = [[Warner Bros.|Warner]]-[[Pathé|Pathé Distributors]] | ||
| released = {{Film date|1966| | | released = {{Film date|1966|08|16|df=y}} | ||
| runtime = 97 minutes | | runtime = 97 minutes | ||
| country = United Kingdom | | country = United Kingdom | ||
| language = English | | language = English | ||
Line 31: | Line 28: | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''''Carry On Screaming!''''' is a 1966 [[ | '''''Carry On Screaming!''''' is a 1966 [[United Kingdom|British]] [[black comedy|black comedy]] [[horror film|horror film]], the twelfth in the [[Carry On (film series)|series of 31 ''Carry On'' films]] (1958–1992).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6fd00ac1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713130111/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6fd00ac1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-07-13 |title=Carry On Screaming! (1966) |work=BFI}}</ref> It was the last of the series to be made by [[Anglo-Amalgamated|Anglo-Amalgamated]] before the series moved to [[The Rank Organisation]]. Of the regular cast, it features [[Kenneth Williams]], [[Jim Dale|Jim Dale]], [[Charles Hawtrey (actor, born 1914)|Charles Hawtrey]], [[Joan Sims]], [[Bernard Bresslaw]] and [[Peter Butterworth]]. It also features [[Harry H. Corbett]] in his only series appearance and [[Fenella Fielding]] making her second and final appearance. [[Angela Douglas|Angela Douglas]] makes the second of her four Carry On appearances. ''Carry On Screaming'' is a parody of the [[Hammer Film Productions|Hammer]] horror films, which were also popular at the time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/466443/ |title=BFI Screenonline: Carry On Screaming! (1966) |work=screenonline.org.uk}}</ref> | ||
== Plot == | == Plot == | ||
The film opens in the [[ | The film opens in the [[Edwardian era|Edwardian era]] in Hocombe Woods, where Doris Mann ([[Angela Douglas|Angela Douglas]]) and Albert Potter ([[Jim Dale|Jim Dale]]) are courting. When Albert searches the woods for a [[Voyeur|peeping Tom]], Doris is abducted by a monster named Oddbod ([[Tom Clegg (actor)|Tom Clegg]]), which leaves a finger behind. Albert, finding the finger, rushes to the police station and reports the matter to Detective Constable Slobotham ([[Peter Butterworth]]), who in turn tells his superior, the henpecked Detective Sergeant Sidney Bung ([[Harry H. Corbett]]), who has been investigating similar disappearances in the same woods. | ||
After searching the woods for further clues, the group stumble across the eerie Bide-A-Wee Rest Home, and are shown to the sitting-room by the butler, Sockett ([[Bernard Bresslaw]] – a not dissimilar character to [[ | After searching the woods for further clues, the group stumble across the eerie Bide-A-Wee Rest Home, and are shown to the sitting-room by the butler, Sockett ([[Bernard Bresslaw]] – a not dissimilar character to [[Lurch (The Addams Family)|Lurch]] in ''[[The Addams Family|The Addams Family]]''). Sockett informs the mistress of the house, the seductive Valeria ([[Fenella Fielding]]), of their presence, and she in turn awakens her [[Frankenstein|electrically charged]] brother, Dr. Orlando Watt ([[Kenneth Williams]]). Dr. Watt speaks to the three men, who are frightened from the house when Dr. Watt vanishes and re-appears when his electrical charge runs down. | ||
The next day, Bung, Slobotham and Potter interview Dan Dann ([[Charles Hawtrey (actor, born 1914)|Charles Hawtrey]]), a lavatory attendant who once worked at Bide-A-Wee as a gardener, but Dann is silenced by Oddbod before he can reveal anything. Meanwhile, the police scientist ([[Jon Pertwee]]) accidentally creates a second creature—Oddbod Junior (Billy Cornelius)—when subjecting Oddbod's finger to an electrical charge. After killing the scientist, Oddbod Junior makes his way to the mansion, where Valeria and Watt are turning people into mannequins (in the manner of ''[[ | The next day, Bung, Slobotham and Potter interview Dan Dann ([[Charles Hawtrey (actor, born 1914)|Charles Hawtrey]]), a lavatory attendant who once worked at Bide-A-Wee as a gardener, but Dann is silenced by Oddbod before he can reveal anything. Meanwhile, the police scientist ([[Jon Pertwee]]) accidentally creates a second creature—Oddbod Junior (Billy Cornelius)—when subjecting Oddbod's finger to an electrical charge. After killing the scientist, Oddbod Junior makes his way to the mansion, where Valeria and Watt are turning people into mannequins (in the manner of ''[[House of Wax (1953 film)|House of Wax]]'') to sell. Bung arrives at the house to investigate Dann's death, but becomes infatuated with Valeria instead. | ||
The next day, Potter discovers Doris—in mannequin form—in a milliner's shop but no proof can be found that it really is Doris. Bung returns to the house and discovers evidence that links Valeria and Watt to the mannequin but remains oblivious. Believing him to be on their scent, Valeria and Watt use a potion to turn Bung into [[ | The next day, Potter discovers Doris—in mannequin form—in a milliner's shop but no proof can be found that it really is Doris. Bung returns to the house and discovers evidence that links Valeria and Watt to the mannequin but remains oblivious. Believing him to be on their scent, Valeria and Watt use a potion to turn Bung into [[Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde|Mr. Hyde]] and order him to steal the mannequin for them. After recovering the next day, Bung and Slobotham decide to set a trap in Hocombe Woods, with Slobotham disguised as a woman for bait. Bung's sharp-tongued wife Emily ([[Joan Sims]]) follows, thinking Bung to be having an affair, and is captured by Oddbod Junior while Slobotham is captured by Oddbod. Bung, now teamed up with Potter, makes his way to the house whilst following their footprints. | ||
After failing to dispose of Bung and Potter with a snake, the Oddbods are dispatched to deal with them. Bung and Potter are reunited with Slobotham and manage to return Doris to human form, but discover that Emily has been turned into a mannequin. A battle follows, in which Albert (in Mr. Hyde form) defeats the Oddbods. Dr. Watt menaces them with petrifying liquid but is threatened by the re-animated mummy of Rubbatiti, which has come alive following a lightning strike. Rubbatiti and Watt fall into a boiling vat in the cellar, killing them both. Albert and Doris marry some time later, only to discover that Bung, whose home lacks electricity, is unable to return his wife to human form, and is now living with Valeria. | After failing to dispose of Bung and Potter with a snake, the Oddbods are dispatched to deal with them. Bung and Potter are reunited with Slobotham and manage to return Doris to human form, but discover that Emily has been turned into a mannequin. A battle follows, in which Albert (in Mr. Hyde form) defeats the Oddbods. Dr. Watt menaces them with petrifying liquid but is threatened by the re-animated mummy of Rubbatiti, which has come alive following a lightning strike. Rubbatiti and Watt fall into a boiling vat in the cellar, killing them both. Albert and Doris marry some time later, only to discover that Bung, whose home lacks electricity, is unable to return his wife to human form, and is now living with Valeria. | ||
==Production== | ==Production== | ||
Production of the film ran from 10 January 1966 to 25 February 1966; it was filmed at [[ | Production of the film ran from 10 January 1966 to 25 February 1966; it was filmed at [[Pinewood Studios|Pinewood Studios]] and on location in [[Berkshire|Berkshire]] and [[Buckinghamshire|Buckinghamshire]]. | ||
''Carry On Screaming'' was the second film in the series to have a sung main title theme. The theme song "Carry On Screaming" (film version only) was credited as "Anon" and was thought to have been sung by [[ | ''Carry On Screaming'' was the second film in the series to have a sung main title theme. The theme song "Carry On Screaming" (film version only) was credited as "Anon" and was thought to have been sung by [[Jim Dale|Jim Dale]], who appears in the film. The singer is actually [[Ray Pilgrim|Ray Pilgrim]], a session singer who sang for the [[Embassy Records|Embassy]] label. A vinyl 45 rpm version of the song was also released in 1966 (Columbia DB 7972) by vocalist [[Boz Burrell|Boz Burrell]], before he became bassist for the bands [[King Crimson|King Crimson]] and [[Bad Company|Bad Company]]. In the 2005 album ''What a Carry On'', the theme was sung by [[Gary Williams (singer)|Gary Williams]], with the [[Royal Ballet Sinfonia|Royal Ballet Sinfonia]] conducted by [[Gavin Sutherland (conductor)|Gavin Sutherland]]. | ||
[[ | [[Deborah Kerr|Deborah Kerr]] was initially offered the role of Valeria, but declined. The character is frequently referred to as a vampire, despite the film never stating her to be. Rather, she is more a parody of [[Morticia Addams|Morticia Addams]]. | ||
The character of Orlando Watt was initially written as Valeria's father. This was changed at the request of actor Kenneth Williams, who wanted to play his own age (39), so that Orlando and Valeria are brother and sister in the finished version.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Williams, Kenneth, 1926-1988.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/59883309|title=The Kenneth Williams diaries|date=1993|publisher=HarperCollins|others=Davies, Russell.|isbn=0-00-255023-7|location=London|oclc=59883309}}</ref> | The character of Orlando Watt was initially written as Valeria's father. This was changed at the request of actor Kenneth Williams, who wanted to play his own age (39), so that Orlando and Valeria are brother and sister in the finished version.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Williams, Kenneth, 1926-1988.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/59883309|title=The Kenneth Williams diaries|date=1993|publisher=HarperCollins|others=Davies, Russell.|isbn=0-00-255023-7|location=London|oclc=59883309}}</ref> | ||
Charles Hawtrey was added to the cast at the eleventh hour, after American distributors specifically requested him, as he was such a hit and crowd-pleaser with audiences there. He replaced [[ | Charles Hawtrey was added to the cast at the eleventh hour, after American distributors specifically requested him, as he was such a hit and crowd-pleaser with audiences there. He replaced [[Sydney Bromley|Sydney Bromley]] in the role of Dan Dann, in what would have been a minor role in the film. Hawtrey thereby has the unique distinction of being the only actor to have a leading credit in a Carry On for less than five minutes' screen time. | ||
[[Harry H. Corbett]] replaced [[Sid James]], due to being committed to appearing as one of the robbers in the pantomime "Babes in the Wood "at the [[ | [[Harry H. Corbett]] replaced [[Sid James]], due to being committed to appearing as one of the robbers in the pantomime "Babes in the Wood "at the [[London Palladium|London Palladium]], which ran until June 1966. | ||
==Cast== | ==Cast== | ||
* [[Harry H. Corbett]] as Detective Sergeant Sidney Bung | * [[Harry H. Corbett]] as Detective Sergeant Sidney Bung | ||
* [[Kenneth Williams]] as Dr Orlando Watt | * [[Kenneth Williams]] as Dr Orlando Watt | ||
* [[ | * [[Jim Dale|Jim Dale]] as Albert Potter | ||
* [[Charles Hawtrey (actor, born 1914)|Charles Hawtrey]] as Dan Dann | * [[Charles Hawtrey (actor, born 1914)|Charles Hawtrey]] as Dan Dann | ||
* [[Fenella Fielding]] as Valeria Watt | * [[Fenella Fielding]] as Valeria Watt | ||
Line 85: | Line 82: | ||
'''Interiors''': | '''Interiors''': | ||
* [[ | * [[Pinewood Studios|Pinewood Studios]], Buckinghamshire | ||
'''Exteriors''': | '''Exteriors''': | ||
* [[ | * [[Windsor, Berkshire|Windsor]], Berkshire | ||
* [[ | * [[Fulmer|Fulmer]], Buckinghamshire | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Line 95: | Line 92: | ||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
* {{cite book |last=Rigelsford |first=Adrian |author-link = | * {{cite book |last=Rigelsford |first=Adrian |author-link = Adrian Rigelsford|title=Carry On Laughing: A Celebration |year=1996 |publisher=[[Virgin Books|Virgin Books]] |location=London |isbn=1-85227-554-5}} | ||
* {{cite book |last=Ross |first=Robert |title=The Carry On Companion |year=1998 |orig-year=1996 |publisher=Batsford |location=London |isbn=0-7134-8439-X}} | * {{cite book |last=Ross |first=Robert |title=The Carry On Companion |year=1998 |orig-year=1996 |publisher=Batsford |location=London |isbn=0-7134-8439-X}} | ||
Line 101: | Line 98: | ||
* {{IMDb title| 0060214}} | * {{IMDb title| 0060214}} | ||
* {{Rotten Tomatoes| 1209303-carry_on_screaming}} | * {{Rotten Tomatoes| 1209303-carry_on_screaming}} | ||
* {{BFI Explore|id=4ce2b6fd00ac1}} | * {{BFI Explore|id=4ce2b6fd00ac1}} | ||
* {{Screenonline title| 466443}} | * {{Screenonline title| 466443}} |
Latest revision as of 19:41, 14 February 2023
Carry On Screaming! | |
---|---|
Directed by | Gerald Thomas |
Written by | Talbot Rothwell |
Produced by | Peter Rogers |
Starring | |
Cinematography | Alan Hume |
Edited by | Rod Keys |
Music by | Eric Rogers |
Production companies |
|
Distributed by | Warner-Pathé Distributors |
Release date |
|
Running time | 97 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Budget | £197,500 |
Carry On Screaming! is a 1966 British black comedy horror film, the twelfth in the series of 31 Carry On films (1958–1992).[1] It was the last of the series to be made by Anglo-Amalgamated before the series moved to The Rank Organisation. Of the regular cast, it features Kenneth Williams, Jim Dale, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims, Bernard Bresslaw and Peter Butterworth. It also features Harry H. Corbett in his only series appearance and Fenella Fielding making her second and final appearance. Angela Douglas makes the second of her four Carry On appearances. Carry On Screaming is a parody of the Hammer horror films, which were also popular at the time.[2]
Plot
The film opens in the Edwardian era in Hocombe Woods, where Doris Mann (Angela Douglas) and Albert Potter (Jim Dale) are courting. When Albert searches the woods for a peeping Tom, Doris is abducted by a monster named Oddbod (Tom Clegg), which leaves a finger behind. Albert, finding the finger, rushes to the police station and reports the matter to Detective Constable Slobotham (Peter Butterworth), who in turn tells his superior, the henpecked Detective Sergeant Sidney Bung (Harry H. Corbett), who has been investigating similar disappearances in the same woods.
After searching the woods for further clues, the group stumble across the eerie Bide-A-Wee Rest Home, and are shown to the sitting-room by the butler, Sockett (Bernard Bresslaw – a not dissimilar character to Lurch in The Addams Family). Sockett informs the mistress of the house, the seductive Valeria (Fenella Fielding), of their presence, and she in turn awakens her electrically charged brother, Dr. Orlando Watt (Kenneth Williams). Dr. Watt speaks to the three men, who are frightened from the house when Dr. Watt vanishes and re-appears when his electrical charge runs down.
The next day, Bung, Slobotham and Potter interview Dan Dann (Charles Hawtrey), a lavatory attendant who once worked at Bide-A-Wee as a gardener, but Dann is silenced by Oddbod before he can reveal anything. Meanwhile, the police scientist (Jon Pertwee) accidentally creates a second creature—Oddbod Junior (Billy Cornelius)—when subjecting Oddbod's finger to an electrical charge. After killing the scientist, Oddbod Junior makes his way to the mansion, where Valeria and Watt are turning people into mannequins (in the manner of House of Wax) to sell. Bung arrives at the house to investigate Dann's death, but becomes infatuated with Valeria instead.
The next day, Potter discovers Doris—in mannequin form—in a milliner's shop but no proof can be found that it really is Doris. Bung returns to the house and discovers evidence that links Valeria and Watt to the mannequin but remains oblivious. Believing him to be on their scent, Valeria and Watt use a potion to turn Bung into Mr. Hyde and order him to steal the mannequin for them. After recovering the next day, Bung and Slobotham decide to set a trap in Hocombe Woods, with Slobotham disguised as a woman for bait. Bung's sharp-tongued wife Emily (Joan Sims) follows, thinking Bung to be having an affair, and is captured by Oddbod Junior while Slobotham is captured by Oddbod. Bung, now teamed up with Potter, makes his way to the house whilst following their footprints.
After failing to dispose of Bung and Potter with a snake, the Oddbods are dispatched to deal with them. Bung and Potter are reunited with Slobotham and manage to return Doris to human form, but discover that Emily has been turned into a mannequin. A battle follows, in which Albert (in Mr. Hyde form) defeats the Oddbods. Dr. Watt menaces them with petrifying liquid but is threatened by the re-animated mummy of Rubbatiti, which has come alive following a lightning strike. Rubbatiti and Watt fall into a boiling vat in the cellar, killing them both. Albert and Doris marry some time later, only to discover that Bung, whose home lacks electricity, is unable to return his wife to human form, and is now living with Valeria.
Production
Production of the film ran from 10 January 1966 to 25 February 1966; it was filmed at Pinewood Studios and on location in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.
Carry On Screaming was the second film in the series to have a sung main title theme. The theme song "Carry On Screaming" (film version only) was credited as "Anon" and was thought to have been sung by Jim Dale, who appears in the film. The singer is actually Ray Pilgrim, a session singer who sang for the Embassy label. A vinyl 45 rpm version of the song was also released in 1966 (Columbia DB 7972) by vocalist Boz Burrell, before he became bassist for the bands King Crimson and Bad Company. In the 2005 album What a Carry On, the theme was sung by Gary Williams, with the Royal Ballet Sinfonia conducted by Gavin Sutherland.
Deborah Kerr was initially offered the role of Valeria, but declined. The character is frequently referred to as a vampire, despite the film never stating her to be. Rather, she is more a parody of Morticia Addams.
The character of Orlando Watt was initially written as Valeria's father. This was changed at the request of actor Kenneth Williams, who wanted to play his own age (39), so that Orlando and Valeria are brother and sister in the finished version.[3]
Charles Hawtrey was added to the cast at the eleventh hour, after American distributors specifically requested him, as he was such a hit and crowd-pleaser with audiences there. He replaced Sydney Bromley in the role of Dan Dann, in what would have been a minor role in the film. Hawtrey thereby has the unique distinction of being the only actor to have a leading credit in a Carry On for less than five minutes' screen time.
Harry H. Corbett replaced Sid James, due to being committed to appearing as one of the robbers in the pantomime "Babes in the Wood "at the London Palladium, which ran until June 1966.
Cast
- Harry H. Corbett as Detective Sergeant Sidney Bung
- Kenneth Williams as Dr Orlando Watt
- Jim Dale as Albert Potter
- Charles Hawtrey as Dan Dann
- Fenella Fielding as Valeria Watt
- Joan Sims as Emily Bung
- Angela Douglas as Doris Mann
- Bernard Bresslaw as Sockett
- Peter Butterworth as Detective Constable Slobotham
- Jon Pertwee as Doctor Fettle
- Michael Ward as Mr Vivian
- Tom Clegg as Oddbod
- Billy Cornelius as Oddbod Junior
- Norman Mitchell as Cabby
- Frank Thornton as Mr Jones
- Frank Forsyth as Desk Sergeant
- Anthony Sagar as Policeman
- Sally Douglas as Girl
- Marianne Stone as Mrs Parker
- Denis Blake as Rubbatiti
- Gerald Thomas as Voice of Oddbod Junior (uncredited)
Filming and locations
- Filming dates: 10 January – 25 February 1966
Interiors:
- Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire
Exteriors:
References
- ^ "Carry On Screaming! (1966)". BFI. Archived from the original on 2012-07-13.
- ^ "BFI Screenonline: Carry On Screaming! (1966)". screenonline.org.uk.
- ^ Williams, Kenneth, 1926-1988. (1993). The Kenneth Williams diaries. Davies, Russell. London: HarperCollins. ISBN 0-00-255023-7. OCLC 59883309.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
Sources
- Rigelsford, Adrian (1996). Carry On Laughing: A Celebration. London: Virgin Books. ISBN 1-85227-554-5.
- Ross, Robert (1998) [1996]. The Carry On Companion. London: Batsford. ISBN 0-7134-8439-X.
External links
- Carry On Screaming! at IMDb
- Carry On Screaming! at Rotten Tomatoes
- Carry On Screaming! at the British Film Institute
- Carry On Screaming! at the BFI's Screenonline
- Carry On Screaming! at BritMovie (archived)
- Ray Pilgrim recalls the recording of the “Carry On Screaming” title song
- CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list
- CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list
- Articles with short description
- Template film date with 1 release date
- IMDb title ID not in Wikidata
- Rotten Tomatoes ID not in Wikidata
- 1966 films
- 1966 horror films
- 1960s historical comedy films
- 1960s comedy horror films
- 1960s parody films
- British comedy horror films
- British historical horror films
- British parody films
- 1960s English-language films
- Carry On films
- British detective films
- Films directed by Gerald Thomas
- Films produced by Peter Rogers
- Films set in the 1900s
- Films shot at Pinewood Studios
- Films shot in Berkshire
- Films shot in Buckinghamshire
- British haunted house films
- Mannequins in films
- Police detective films
- Films with screenplays by Talbot Rothwell
- 1960s historical horror films
- 1966 comedy films
- British horror comedy films
- British comedy films