Three Classic Comedies tomorrow on Talking Pictures TV

Talking Pictures TV are showing three classic British comedy films back to back tomorrow morning. First up is the 1956 film Sailor Beware, starring Peggy Mount, Ronald Lewis and Gordon Jackson. This is followed up by a rather bizarre little curio, Cuckoo Patrol from 1967 and then bringing up the rear the 1964 canal boat classic, The Bargee, featuring the likes of Ronnie Barker, Julia Foster, Miriam Karlin and Eric Sykes. 

More details below:

08.10 - Sailor Beware! (1956)

Carry On Faces: Esma Cannon, Shirley Eaton, Anthony Sagar, Fred Griffiths

Royal Navy sailor Albert Tufnell is to marry Shirley Hornett the next day. He and his best man, fellow sailor Carnoustie Bligh, travel to the Hornett household. However, Albert begins to have second thoughts when he spends the day with her family. He has no problem with her father Henry or with meek spinster aunt Edie, but her domineering mother Emma is another matter entirely. 

On the day of the wedding, Albert does not appear at the church, so the Hornetts go home. Then Albert shows up, as does the Reverend Purefoy, who was to preside over the ceremony. Albert states that he loves Shirley and wants to marry her. However, he has his doubts. Mr. Purefoy asks to speak to the couple privately. Everyone else leaves the room (but eavesdrops). Albert then explains that the unhappy example of her family life and the unilateral decision about where they were to live have made him hesitate. Henry comes in and surprisingly states that his wife has actually taken good care of him, and that he is fond of her. Upon hearing that, Emma breaks down and weeps; she tells Purefoy she wants to change her ways. Albert marries Shirley, but after they leave, Emma finds it hard to break old habits.

Read more on this film here: Carry On Blogging: Sailor Beware

09.50 - Cuckoo Patrol (1967)

Carry On Faces: Kenneth Connor, Victor Maddern, Peggy Ann Clifford 

The late Freddie Garrity (of Freddie and the Dreamers) stars in this 1967 film comedy. The film is directed by Duncan Wood who produced the likes of Hancock's Half Hour and Steptoe and Son amongst many others. A good British cast including Kenneth Connor, Victor Maddern, John Le Mesurier and Arthur Mullard tell the story of a troop of scout misfits, The Cuckoo Troop, led by Garrity on their way to scout camp and all the scrapes they stumble into!

11.25 - The Bargee (1964)

Carry On Faces: Harry H Corbett, Eric Barker, Patricia Hayes, Ronnie Brody, Brian Wilde, Ed Devereaux 

Hemel Pike is a canal barge casanova, aided and abetted by his illiterate cousin, Ronnie. Hemel has a girl in every town along his route, and each one is intent on marriage. He is finally caught when one of the girls, Christine, falls pregnant. Her protective father, a 'larger than life' character, who holds the canal record for drinking 29 pints of 'Brown & Mild' in a single session, is understandably upset by his daughter's situation…

Something for everyone there!

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Carry On Faces in Different Places: Sailor Beware!

Here we go with a brand new series of blogs looking at some of the cream of British comedy film making from the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Although this blog is all about the Carry Ons, believe it or not, there were some other joyous comedy films made away from Peter Rogers Productions. However, given the quality of the actors Peter employed to make his series, it's no wonder that most of them popped up elsewhere.

So far I've looked at the wonderful 1959 crime caper Too Many Crooks , the 1954 domestic comedy starring Dirk Bogarde, For Better For Worse , the big screen spin off Please Sir! and the wonderful Up Pompeii and the brilliant John Gregson and Diana Dors vehicle, Value for Money.
  
Today we're going to cover another classic British comedy film, Sailor Beware! a 1956 British romantic comedy film directed by Gordon Parry. It was released as Panic in the Parlor in the United States.

The film is an adaptation of the successful stage play of the same name. It follows the story of a sailor betrothed to be married, but wary that home-life may echo that of her parents: a hen-pecked husband and battle-axe mother.

Carry On Faces?

The star of the film is the wonderful, larger than life Peggy Mount. Peggy had played the role of Emma Hornett on the stage and it became the role which made her name. Peggy would of course go on to star with Sid James in the ITV sitcom George and the Dragon. Playing Peggy's daughter is Carry On original Shirley Eaton. We all know Shirley from her roles in Carry On Sergeant, Nurse and Constable. Playing Aunt Edie Hornett (more on her later) is the gorgeous Esma Cannon, who added energy and laughter to four Carry Ons - Constable, Regardless, Cruising and Cabby.

Also, look out for Ronald Lewis as Albert Tufnell. Although Ronald never appeared in a Carry On, he did work for Gerald Thomas and Peter Rogers in two films - Twice Round The Daffodils and Nurse On Wheels, both opposite Juliet Mills. You can read more about why I think Ronald should have made a Carry On here: Carry On Blogging: When Leslie and Terence Didn't Carry On

And I can't finish without mentioning the wonderful Gordon Jackson, seen here playing Albert's friend Carnoustie Bligh. Gordon, a long-time friend of Kenneth Williams, has always been a favourite of mine, for his roles in films like The Great Escape and Whisky Galore to television in The Professionals and Upstairs, Downstairs.

What's it about?

Royal Navy sailor Albert Tufnell is to marry Shirley Hornett the next day. He and his best man, fellow sailor Carnoustie Bligh, travel to the Hornett household.

However, Albert begins to have second thoughts when he spends the day with her family. He has no problem with her father Henry or with meek spinster aunt Edie, but her domineering mother Emma is another matter entirely. (Meanwhile, Carnoustie and Shirley's beautiful cousin Daphne Pink are attracted to each other.) When Albert announces that he and Carnoustie are going to see their pals that night, Emma objects strenuously, as does Shirley, but they go anyway. Later, Emma sends Henry to fetch them, but it is they who have to bring back a thoroughly drunk Henry.

Edie lets slip plans for the couple to live in a house three doors away, plans made without consulting the bridegroom. Albert gives Shirley a chance to inform him, but she does not do so, which concerns him.

Best Bit?

Without a doubt the best bit of this film is the character of Edie Hornett, played by the glorious Esma Cannon. Esma appeared in many, many films during her career but often was restricted to cameo roles or small supporting parts. In Sailor Beware, Esma has a brilliant starring role and works so well with Peggy Mount. The very visual different in their stature and shape provides instant comedy but of course, the way the characters look is also reflected in the way they behave. I love Esma's dithery, twittery performance - it's an absolute joy.

Did you know?

The film features an uncredited performance from a young Michael Caine. Very new to the profession and in one of his earliest appearances on film, Michael plays a Sailor who can be seen very briefly, so keep your eyes peeled!

There are also uncredited roles for future stars Henry McGee, playing a milkman and future Good Life and Yes Minister star Paul Eddington, playing a Bearded Sailor. 

  
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