Follow That Camel

I wasn't really expecting much out of this "Carry On" spoof on Foreign Legion films – but it turned out to be a highly agreeable entry in the long-running series. Unusually for them, the film-makers went for an American lead in the person of Phil Silvers – then again, his Sgt. Nocker here was directly inspired by the latter's popular Sgt. Bilko characterization (which originated on TV); actually, the clash of comedy styles works surprisingly well here.

Most of the series stalwarts are on hand – Kenneth Williams as German fort commandant Burger (with matching short hair); Charles Hawtrey as Captain Le Pice(!); Jim Dale as Beau West(!), a dishonored Englishman who joins the legion (accompanied by loyal valet Peter Butterworth) after losing girlfriend Angela Douglas; Bernard Bresslaw has one of his best roles as the flamboyant villainous sheik; and Joan Sims is Madam Zigzig, hostess of the local tavern. Anita Harris also makes an impression as a sultry belly-dancer.

Apart from the traditional desert-march-fraught-with-mirages sequence, there are a couple of delightful running gags here – the naïve Douglas (who decides to stick with Dale) is taken advantage of by several men on her journey to join her lover, and eventually ends in line to being made Bresslaw's 13th wife!; another involves the constant attempts to violently curtail the cock's heralding of each new day by the reluctant soldiers. This good-looking film – which actually anticipates the team's other outing with an exotic setting, the even better CARRY ON...UP THE KHYBER (1968) – is satisfyingly capped by an action-packed climax.

The Carry On films represent a particular type of English humour. They are slapstick rather than intellectual, but often show a degree of humanity and pathos lacking in American slapstick. For years it has been customary to condemn Carry On as being low-brow and low-budget. They certainly were low budget, particularly compared with their American equivalents, but they compare favourably with the American movies.

It was a mistake to introduce Phil Silvers into this film. He gives the impression over overacting, whereas the British actors are merely camp. His style of humour is crass rather than subtle. Some have said that he dominated the film. He does not. He detracts from it.

This is an enjoyable movie, though undemanding.

Another of the historical/costume Carry On's see's Phil Silvers join the Carry On team as a guest star. This was the first time one cast members name had been allowed to headline over the others and this was undoutbly done to increase the series appeal in America. However this is rumoured to have caused friction amongst the regular cast members which is possibly one reason for Kenneth Williams even more over the top than usual performance trying to out do Silvers.

The plot line follows Beau (Jim Dale) and his Butler (Petter Butterworth) join the foreign legion in the 1800's their they meet the conniving Seargent Knocker (Silvers). Seargent Knocker is pretty much just Seargent Bilko in the 1800's which is fine by me as Silvers creation of Bilko is a great character and funny even now over fifty years after the series was broadcast. However the problem being at times this does feel like the Phil Silvers show rather than a carry on. The rest of the cast do OK but it has to be said other than Dale and Breslaw they are either not on their usual high form (Williams and Hawtry as the commanding officers) or underused (an excellent Joan Simms who only appears for less than 10mins in total).

Follow that Camel is a funny film but not as funny as the best of the series Silvers adds star power but it hasn't got enough killer lines. There's not one joke that makes you remember this film like the best Carry On's for instance the daffodil in Nurse, Infamy infamy.... in Cleo or the diner scene in Khyber.

Out of 10 I'm giving it a generous 7 as I'm a big Bilko and Carry On fan. 7/10

Falsely accused of foul play during a cricket match, Bo West decides the only way to find his honour again is to join the foreign legion and, with his butler, sets off to join up. On their way they meet Sgt Nocker – sleeping in a bordello just a few hours before he pretends to have been on a dangerous mission. Using this information, West and Simpson get an easy ride – however everything changes when all three of them are captured by Sheikh Abdul Abulbul. Things become more urgent when Bo discovers that his lover, Jane Ponsonby has traveled to the region to find him and has herself been captured by Abulbul.

Quite rightly, this film is on this database without its 'carry on' rider, as this was not an official Carry On film but rather one that bore enough similarity to the series to allow it to be shanghaied into the group. While it doesn't stand out as being the best of the series it is still pretty enjoyable. The plot spoofs Beau Guest very loosely and it delivers the usual smutty puns and Carry On style laughs even if the material is not as sharp as it should have been. The main reason I liked the film as much as I did was down to one main factor – Phil Silvers.

Silvers dominates the film and he gets the majority of the laughs with what is essentially a foreign legion version of his own Bilko. If anything his presence unbalances the film as the rest of the cast, talented as they are, are all in his shadow. Dale is amusing in his usual stuttering role as the slightly daffy English ponce and he is ably supported by Butterworth in a small role. Williams plays his role very well, while Hawtrey does his usual effeminate performance to good effect. Douglas is OK but Sims has far to little to do. Bresslaw, as always, has the 'ethnic' role and he has quite a few good lines along the way but the film does lack the all round cast that quite a few of the Carry On films have. The support features a tent full of gorgeous women who, rather frighteningly, include the presence of one Anita Harris – so much for wholesome!

Overall this is not one of the better Carry On films but it is still amusing and quite enjoyable, mainly due to the Bilko-esque delivery from Phil Silvers who pretty much dominates the film, certainly stealing every scene he is in. The material is not the sharpest and I missed the presence of some of the other Carry On regulars but generally this had enough in the way of laughs to justify watching if you're a Carry On fan.

I think this was one of the funniest carry on films,it would have to be some where in the top 10.The story is based on Beau Geste,with quite a few changes.Phil Silvers seems relaxed in his role,almost as if he has starred in other carry on films,he was probably the replacement for Sid James.Although Phil Silvers fits the role perfectly,in his usual SGT Bilko style.Anita Harris only starred in two carry on films,and you wonder why she wasn't asked to do more,as she was popular with the male audiences.All the characters are very good,and the best use has been made of their talents.Kenneth Williams playing the German called Burger,Charles Hawtrey playing the Frenchman Le piece.Bernard Bresslaw gives his best carry on performance as the Arab leader.I think one of the funniest parts of this film is when the Legionaires are having a sandcastle competition,and it breaks into a fight,and the Arabs are looking on thinking their all stupid.In all still a funny film,with a good cast who sadly most are not with us anymore.