Ist ja irre - Der Schiffskoch ist seekrank

Marking the end of the first era of the franchise with a glorious jump to colour, Carry On Cruising has a distinct summer holiday vibe to the proceedings, even if it was all shot in a studio and relies on plenty of stock footage to showcase its sunny relaxation destinations. There's something so wonderfully fresh, cheery and bright with that naught, picture postcard brand of humour just about forming with a lot of charm, falling pretty neatly between the early gentle comedies of the late '50s and the double-entendre-laden gems to come. However, as such, it feels like a film that should be funnier than it is, or maybe gentler and more innocent than it tries to be, but the script is sharp with some great gags deftly delivered by the ensemble, the perfect setup for a series of disasters and the film duly delivers thanks to dialogue bursting with puns and wordplay. Carry On Cruising certainly feels like a transitional period for the series, providing enough laughs and remaining as watchable and good-natured as any other entry in the series, even if at times it can feel rather limp.

I enjoyed Carry on Carry on Cruising, but I don't consider it one of the better entries. The story is pretty basic, some parts aren't as funny as others and this film could have done with a Barbara Windsor, a Hattie Jaques or a Jim Dale. It looks great though, and the score is nice and quirky. While there is nothing absolutely hilarious, some dialogue is funny and there are some decent gags. The acting is good if nothing more than that. Sidney James and Kenneth Williams are both underused but they do a fine enough job with what they have, though James does appear somewhat more subdued here. Kenneth Connor is amusing here, Liz Fraser is pleasant enough and Dilys Lane is good too. Overall, unexceptional but charming and pretty entertaining. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Although missing some of the regular cast members (Joan Sims and Charles Hawtrey), this Carry On is one of the better ones in the series. The script is sharp with some great gags deftly delivered by the ensemble. Sid James plays the experienced Captain of a cruise liner in charge of a crew with some inexperienced new recruits. This is the perfect setup for a series of disasters and the film duly delivers. Cruising is one of the earlier Carry Ons (first in colour) and maybe because of this, everyone seems fresh and on top of their game. The editing complements the script and the cast seem to have an energy which sometimes flags later in the series. The newer cast members keep the mix interesting and stand out performances from the wonderful Esma Cannon, Kenneth Williams (shower scene !) and Sid James combine to produce one of the definitive Carry Ons.

Based on a suggestion by Eric Barker to base a film around a package holiday - for which he received a story credit - the fifth 'Carry On' in many ways marked an attempt to make something more ambitious.

Anglo were beginning to invest in colour and sanctioned its use on 'Carry On Cruising' since it a was lot cheaper than filming on location (only the second-unit actually left Shepperton, and they only got as far as Southampton).

The result is one of the most charming and mellow of the series, as indicated by the fact that Kenneth Williams is still a clever dick and Sid James for once doesn't play a lecher. (The lack of an appearance by Charles Hawtrey being that he was replaced by Lance Perceval after being placed on suspension for demanding a star on his dressing room door).

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 several ways, we're not talking Carry on Behind, but it does have its moments, that naught, picture postcard brand of humour is just about starting.

It worries me that repeats have dried up, as has comedy, some of the reviews.....you'd wonder if people have any sort of sense of humour.

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.