Carry on Screaming!

Carry on Screaming is a truly great film- I am not sure whether it is a cult classic though- but it is easily one of the better Carry On Movies, perhaps even THE best. The film is hilarious, the ending particularly had me in stitches, with a good plot and wonderful one liners, "Frying Tonight" is up there with "Infamy Infamy they've all got it in for me" and "it's all cock and no pea" as the funniest one liner not only in a Carry on but ever.

The performances were wonderful, and Harry H.Corbett's superb lead performance cleared away all the fears of Sidney James being sorely missed, though I will say, James I have always found one of the best Carry on regulars. There is great support from Charles Hawtry, Jim Dale and Joan Sims, but the picture belongs to Kenneth Williams as Dr Watt, just priceless. Overall, a classic Carry On, maybe not a cult classic, but a hilarious film all the same. 9/10 Bethany Cox

The Carry On films were at their best in the early days when they offered more than just saucy double entendres. Don't get me wrong, there *are* plenty of great double entendres here, but they're set against the backdrop of a horror spoof. The unusual setting gives it a freshness that the other Carry Ons lack.

A changed cast helps too. Harry Corbett shines in the sort of role which normally goes to Sid James. He makes the part his own, only failing in the scenes where he argues with his wife. There's just no chemistry between him and Joan Sims to show why these people were once in love with each other.

But there's chemistry between Corbett and Fenella Fielding, the other guest star. She makes a wonderful evil seductress. Of the regulars, Williams is best. His usual eccentric, camp performance takes on an edge of madness that grows as the film progresses.

Recommended.

Possibly the finest of the Carry On series, this film benefits hugely from the acting talents of the late, great Harry H. Corbett and the fabulously sexy Fenella Fielding. These two provide the usual Sid James / Barbara Windsor roles but play them with far more subtlety and aplomb than usual. Talbot Rothwell delivers a fine screenplay that beautifully lampoons Hammer Horror films while Kenneth Williams, Jim Dale and Peter Butterworth serve up great supporting performances. Jim Dale is worth a special mention here as a great physical comedian who never really received the recognition he deserved for his 'full body' comedy – he could teach the over rated Jim Carey a thing or two. 'Screaming', along with 'Khyber' and 'Cleo' remain great British comedies that have outlived the contempt and snobbery that was initially hurled against them to emerge as fine examples British cinema and humour. 7/10.

If you are looking for a zombie film, this will not satisfy you. Sure, it has zombies, but they are too busy devising double entendres and references to Abbott and Costello bits or other films to be gnawing on flesh.

Speaking of flesh, Fenella Fielding was just about the hottest vampire I could imagine for the day.

Her brother, played by Kenneth Williams, was a hoot. He played the gayest Dr Frankenstein character I ever saw.

I had never seen Jim Dale before, and he was excellent. I only knew Dale as the reader of the Harry Potter books. I spent many hours with him as i listened to all of them many times over. Now, I find that he is an excellent actor to boot.

If you like British comedy, and I certainly do, then this is one film you should see. I can't wait to see more of them.

The chemistry between Fenella Fielding and Harry H Corbett is outstanding. They just sparkle on screen together. She was a remarkable performer and added class to every movie she did. I love her sexy sultry voice. Harry H Cobett is as he always was perfect. he looks as though he had been doing these movies for years. He was a brilliant performer. I had to good fortune of seeing him on stage when he came here to Australia to star in the JCW production of Neil Simons LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS. He was brilliant. Intentional or other wise it was a great idea to change the cast and introduce guests and new faces every now and then. I must say I prefer Harry to Sid James, even though Sid was a fine performer in his own right.The rest of the cast are great. I had not taken much notice of Amanda Douglas in previous movies but her performance in this is quite delightful. Jim Dale of course is as sexy as ever and a fine performer. His physical comedy is quite brilliant. Its the first one for Peter Butterworth. I really liked him in this and his drag is pretty good.Joan Sims is the wife from hell and gives a suitably nasty performance. Its rather funny to note that British people slept wit potties under their beds. I wonder if they still do? I guess so. The film looks great. I love the opening credits. We don't see much of Charles Hawtry in this but he gives a much straighter performance in this and its fun. It looks rather like a Hammer film. Kenneth Williams hams it up superbly as always. Its a bright clever film. I gave it an eight.