Carry On Abroad (Special Edition) (Wide Screen) > Reviews > Carry On To Ellsbells

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Good
Characters / Performances	Good
Special Effects	Standard
How does it compare to similar films?	Good

Advantages:	Is one of the best Carry On's
Disadvantages:	None as such

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Carry On Abroad truly encapsulates the feel-good spirit that made the films such an enduring success. Nearly all of the teams favourite regulars are here as well as some extra additions to the cast line-up. The usual batch of players that are present and clearly on good form are Sid James, Joan Sims, Kenneth Williams, Peter Butterworth, Charles Hawtrey, Babara Windsor, Hattie Jaques, Kenneth Connor and Bernard Bresslaw and are joined by Scottish comedian Jimmy Logan and a host of other familiar T.V stars of the day such as June Whitfield, Ray Brooks, Carol Hawkins, Derek Francis, Patsy Rolands, Sally Geeson and John Clive.

Vic (Sid James) and Cora Flange (Joan Sims) join a pack of tourists on a package holiday deal to the Island of Elsbells. Vic's plans had already been mucked up as the holiday was intended to be a dirty weekend with his mistress, Sadie Tomkins (Babara Windsor) but all plans went down the drain after Cora (Joan Sims) decides she'd like to go along on holiday to keep an eye on her straying husband thus thwarting any such plans of a romatic rendesvous with Sadie Tomkins (Barbara Windosr).

Once all the tourists arrive at their destination, they are astounded to discover that the hotel is only half built and there are no more than three staff members (Peter Buterworth, Hattie Jaques and Ray Brooks). So follows several comic mishaps that are all as predictable as ever yet remains entertaining throughout with an ever healthy injection of laughs to be endured. Theres great fun throughout the film, especially where the gang get arrested and end spensing a night in jail , following a fight that occurs during a trip to the market.

However its the ending where the film really scores best as a torrential rainstorm occurs and the hotel slowly begins collapsing around their ears. Only problem is everyone is too drunk and feeling far too amorous to even care. Peter Butterworth manically runs round trying to get everyone to vacate the building but his efforts are blatantly ignored. You can't help thinking of Basil Fawlty in those sequences! There is a wonderful scene with Sid James and Joan Sims during these sequences when they are about to enjoy a spot of passion and then suddenly the roof caves in and they're drenched through from the rain. Hilarious stuff.

The film has a happy ending and the fun sequence where the gang are all reunited and decide to have a lock in at Vic and Coras pub is one of the best endings in a Carry On film, firmly holding onto that fine, feel-good spirit which would slowly dissolve from here on.

The cast are all on usual form, though Peter Butterworth and Hattie Jaques are perharps the best players here. They make an almost Laurel and Hardy kind of duo and Jaques in particular is an unusual role, playing a Spanish, downtrodden and seemingly demented cook. The rest of the cast certainly get their moments including Joan Sims in the hilarious umbrella sequence where she and Sid James are suddenly soaked from the roof collapsing during the storm of the last night just when they were planning a bit of nookie. Kenneth Williams and Charles Hawtrey hilariously mince around during the majority of the film, putting in their more familiar characterisations whilst Jimmy Logan is a welcome addition to the cast who provides sparkle in every scene hes in.

Other stars such as Carol Hawkins, Sally Geeson, Ray Brooks, John Clive and David Kernan all add to the sparkle. The audio commentary to Carry On Abroad is the best in the series with never a dull moment as Carol Hawkins, Sally Geeson, John Clive and David Kernan share their memories and offer jolly anecdotes about their time making Carry On Abroad. Lively and fun to listen to.

All in all, Carry On Abroad was one of the last true great Carry On's. The series was on a slipey slope now and this would also be the last to feature Charles Hawtrey - a much loved regular in the series. Carry On Abroad was on the greatest of all the 1970's Carry On's and proved
to be another big smash hit at the Box Office. Great fun. Recommended.