La folle croisière

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

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.

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.

The format of the early Carry On's is continued in this 1962 outing, Sid James is the Captain of a cruise liner on his final voyage before retirement, who is landed with a load of bumbling new recruits.

While Sid James is again under used, as he was in many of his early Carry On outings, it is Kenneths Connors and Williams who shine once again. Connors especially with a touching performance as the doctor in love with one of the passengers.

This film shows why the early Carry Ons were the best.

Before the 'Carry On' series had busty Barbara Windsor and more than a subtle touch of the bawdy about it, this funny example took to sea with some of the regulars (the crumpled Sid James, the priceless Kenneth Williams, and boggle-eyed Kenneth Connor). With the wonderful Esma Cannon getting tiddled in the bar, and Lance Percival as a disgustingly inventive cook, it couldn't miss.

The best bits by a long way include Connor's clumsy courtship of Liz Fraser; alongside Williams' stilted and self-righteous officer, all nostrils and hardly-hidden indignation. Very funny, as most of the 'Carry Ons' were.