Carry On Matron (1972)

The 23rd film in the Carry On series and the fourth (and last) of the medical themed adventures. Sid Carter (Sid James) leads a gang of thieves who plan to break into Finisham Hospital and steal a load of contraceptive pills to sell abroad. But where are they kept? Sid decides to send his son Cyril (Kenneth Cope) in undercover disguised as a nurse...They probably seem like cheap gags now, but much mirth is mined from the scenarios set up by a man undercover as a female nurse. Cue him having to share a room with a foxy babe (Babs Windsor), having to fight off the attentions of the randy Doctor Prodd (a brilliant film stealing Terry Scott) and him getting involved with medical issues he has no idea about (yikes this is a maternity hospital!). Elsewhere Joan Simms portrays a human eating machine that is three weeks over due, while her poor railway worker husband (Kenneth Connor great as always) goes insane in the waiting room. Kenneth Williams is the hypochondriac hospital manager and the wonderful Hattie Jacques gets great scenes in a film thats title and script acknowledges her work in the medical Cary On films.Briskly paced by the ever reliable Gerald Thomas, "Matron" is one of the more likable and funny Carry On entries of the 70s. 7.5/10

I love most of the Carry on films, especially Cleo, Up the Khyber and my favourite Screaming. And I do admit I prefer in general the earlier entries, which had more fun and charm in alternative to the later entries some of which had an over-reliance on smut.Carry on Matron may have some slow-moving scenes and a thin and predictable plot, with some odd moments of overly-smutty innuendos and crude slapstick. But thanks to the witty gags, sharp script and fun performances, even with its shortcomings it still manages to be one of the better and funnier later entries of the series.The production values are pleasant, the music is suitably quirky and the direction is solid. What really drives the film are the performances. Hattie Jacques does a fine job in the title role and Charles Hawtrey is as good as ever. The wonderful Kenneth Williams is hilarious and has some of the best lines and scenes, and Sid James plays it straight in a somewhat atypical role. And I mustn't forget the lovely cameos of Kenneth Connor as the nervous dad-to-be and Joan Sims as the overdue mum either.All in all, an entertaining film. 7/10 Bethany Cox

This is one of the last great Carrt On films. Sadly, this Jackie Piper's last Carry On film. She was my favorite female character in the series along with Angela Douglas. She has a much smaller part as a nurse and we don't get to see her out of her clothes which is a shame. Still this is one solid film. Sid James plays the head of a gang trying to steal "The Pill" from the hospital. He is helped by his son, played by Kenneth Cope, Bernard Bresselaw, who is always good & another bald gentleman. Sid is probably at his best when he plays the heavy. He cases the joint and tells Jackie Piper he is an expectant father. He takes off and plans for his son to dress up as a nurse to get the plans of the hospital and the location of the pills. Kenneth Williams plays the head of the hospital and Hattie Jacques plays the Matron very well. Terry Scott is not great here, he plays a sex starved doctor. Joan Sims also has a very solid role as an expectant mother who is in no rush to deliver. She likes eating more than having a child. Sid's son runs into Terry Scott and his womanizing ways, but he gets the plans. He also helps deliver a baby along the way. Sid puts on a disguise and drives up in an ambulance. He has Bernard dressed up as an expectant mother. The son is still dressed as a nurse. They can't find the keys to the door, so they blow it off. There is a real exciting chase scene to end the film. They must give the pills back, but they let them go because of the scandal it would cause for them letting in his son as a nurse. Solid film with a little too much sex talk and too little of a part for the lovely Jackie Piper.

This is excellent. The only word to describe this film is excellent.Its a real treat from beginning to end.For those who have not seen this film you haven't lived!!!. Everyone is enjoying themselves in the Finisham maternity hospital. The film has the lot Innudendo gags saucy jokes and all good clean fun!! Sid Bernie Hattie Charlie Kenny Williams and Kenny Connor, Babs as Nurse Susan Ball. Terry Scott Dr Prodd. Joan Sims plays the ever expectant mother. Jacki Piper and Patsy Rowlands are joining in the fun. The film is great along with Doctor the best medical carry on film!!.Patsy has short screen time which is a shame. This was the highlight of the carry on series. A good film for Terry Scott to leave the series from as with Jacki Piper.10/10