Carry On Cruising (1962)

There's something wonderfully fresh, cheery and bright about Carry on Cruising. 1962 gave us the first Carry on Film in colour, and it does feel different to the early Black and White entries, it's slightly cheekier in a way, we're not talking Carry on Behind, but it does have its moments. For me the addictive element is the diminutive Australian actress Esma Cannon, who is hilarious, a total joy from start to finish, the drunken scene between her and Dilys Laye is side splitting. The usuals are on great form, Sid and Kenny contrast well, it is missing Joan, Charles and Hattie, but there are enough lovely performances to make it enjoyable, Liz Fraser and Dilys Laye in particular are utterly lovely. A nice film for all the family to sit down and enjoy. 7/10

Generally amusing Carry-On farce with a smaller than usual Carry-On cohort (James, Williams and Connor the only regulars aboard) sees hijinks on the high seas as the crew of a cruise ship encounter zany guests like the imbibing old duck Esme Cannon who can apparently drink anyone under the bar, even Ronnie Stevens who remains permanently submerged in a cocktail binge to mark each destination. Meanwhile Liz Fraser supports Dylis Laye desperately seeking a husband, initially enamoured with James, later settling for the romantic doctor Connor who's smitten by the vivacious blonde (there's a great scene where he serenades the drunken Stevens by mistake).Light, early Carry-On isn't nearly as bawdy as the series later became, with James playing a straight character for a change, while occasional Carry-On alumni Liz Fraser has her chance to impress with a sizeable supporting role showcasing her comic seductions. Good also to see Australian actors Ed Devereaux and Vincent Ball in small roles, while future "Fresh Fields'" Anton Rodgers also appears in the cast.The best scenes include Esme Cannon as the seemingly kindly old lady whose mental alacrity and physical stamina bely her age, while the stern and stoney-faced James cheerfully conceals his inner child as a bystander to the unfolding madness. Williams as usual is a scene-stealer and his jealous exchanges with most of the other characters at some stage throughout the cruise make for rib-tickling humour. If you prefer the more austere Carry-On variety, then your ship's come in with "Cruising".

Captain Wellington Crowther is bemused to find that for his 10th anniversary cruise aboard the SS Happy Wanderer, his crew consists of some newbies. Who on a first meeting with the Captain appear to be inept and destined to make a hash of the job in hand.The Carry On movies are of course something of a British institution. Blending saucy postcard humour with slap-stick, it's a film franchise that has as many fans as it does detractors. One thing most British cinema fans can agree on is that when the series was good (Carry On Cleo) it was bona fide funny, and naturally the flip-side of that was when it was bad it was darn near desperate (Carry On England). Carry On Cruising falls somewhere in the middle.After securing a budget of almost £150,000, director Gerald Thomas and producer Peter Rogers decided to make this film the first Carry On picture in colour. Minus franchise stalwart Charles Hawtrey (who after having an attack of star-man ego was promptly replaced by Lance Perceval), Carry On Cruising lacks a certain character dynamic that was a mainstay in the series highlights. Perceval is actually very good (it was his only Carry On appearance), but with no Joan Sims, Jim Dale, Bernard Bresslaw, Hattie Jacques and Barbara Windsor, it's left to Kenneth Williams, Kenneth Connor and Sid James to carry the weight of the film. But with James in an unusually light and restrained role (Crowther), there's just not enough mirth to fully please the majority of viewers.I've personally been in lust with both Liz Fraser and Dilys Laye since forever, but they are poor comedy substitutes for the absent buxom comedienne's mentioned prior. Both ladies, in fact all in the film are outshone by Esma Cannon who is on excellently endearing Batty Biddie form. Williams and Connor do well enough with Norman Hudis' weak, and what was to be his last Carry On screenplay, and some well put together skits just about save the film from being a stinker (or should that be sinker?). So average at best, and not one to readily be revisited often, but with this franchise you sometimes have to take the rough with the smooth. 5.5/10

Just as I am getting used to who these people are, three of them aren't in this movie.Hattie Jacques, Joan Sims and Charlie Hawtrey aren't in "Cruising."I thought at first the bartender was Hawtrey. I wonder if they wanted him for the part.Yes, the cook was the funniest person here.After six movies, there still seems to be some uncertainty as to what Kenneth Williams is capable of.Still a bit confused as to what the appeal of Kenneth Conner could have been, and Sid James seems a bit lost to me as well, after him in three of these movies. The movie didn't play up the exotic holiday feel as Love Boat would later do on television. I get the impression they could have done that very well. As the first Carry On in color, this one could have been better. A bit disappointed to not hear the familiar theme. Thought at first it was a bit of a nautical version, but it was an entirely different tune.Well, on to the next Carry On: Carry On Cabby.