Carry on Cabby

The best so far, the situation is a taxi company, and we are back to B&W film, the colour and picture quality might be a problem but the acting and screenplay isn't. The abduction chase is very good.

Sid James leads again, with Hattie Jacques proving what a good actor she was taking second billing, Kenneth Connor was third again, Liz Fraser provides the glamour again, but not with Dilys Laye, her place is taken by the equally stunning Amanda Barrie, for more glamour were the other 'Glam Cab' drivers but they were uncredited, the only one of note was Valerie Van Ost, who did 3 more, but all bit roles. Again some of the usual Carry On team are not in it, Kenneth Williams who did the most is not in this one, also Joan Sims but Charles Hawtrey is back and also Bill Owen, this was Bill's last Carry On but it did not affect his career, he went on to do many more roles and became famous in older life as Compo in 'Last of The Summer Wine', which was his last role, in fact his last few shows did not go out until after he had passed away, so 'proving the adage that "there is life after death" in 1999 aged 85. It was also Esma Cannon's last Carry On, she only did 3 but her presence made it seem like it was more, the "Mad Pixie" as Sid James called her did one more more small role before retiring and passed away in 1972 aged 66 in France. Charles Hawtrey was in it as was Cyril Chamberlain (Cyril plays his last proper role), and a new team member is Jim Dale, but he didn't know it at the time, he just got a bit role in this, also another new one was Peter Gilmore, not as high profile as Jim, but he did do a good few Carry-On's, a versatile actor.

But all in all the best so far so I gave it an Eight, despite that it was in B&W (the last one was in colour it would be a little while before the next one), the acting and direction was spot on though.

Cabby is generally regarded as one of the best of the series and it was to be said it is a very good film. Hattie Jacques has probably her finest part and her and Sid James always made a good team. That said even though this was Talbot Rothwell's first Carry on script and there are some bawdy lines and very funny situations it still has that Norman Hudis feel to it. Now i was never a fan of the Hudis Carry on's i feel they were no different to any other harmless stiff upper lip British comedy film's that were being made at the time despite their somewhat high reputation. This was a decent warm up for Rothwell and after a couple of silly follow ups Jack and Spying he really hit home with the hilarious and brilliant Cleo (the first great Carry on film). Cabby is harmless fun with great support from Hawtrey and Connor, but much better was to come.

I write this exactly 60 years on from this film being made. The version of the UK it portrays is long gone, manners and behaviours have changed significantly and the monocultural nature is now morphing into something altogether new. In that respect the film is a nice view of a slightly idealised version of what life was like for ordinary people back then. As such one can enjoy it and, be amused, as it's as much historical relic as old fashioned comedy. The characters are the usual mix of caricatures, stereotypes and archetypes, each instantly recognisable, places are middle England and there is very subtle social commentary on the ex forces types being down at heel and needing a leg up.

The world of equality and sixties swinging was fast heading over the hill. This and many other films of the era marked the beginning of the end of the post war society and the emergence of the modern era that fought its way out of the shadows during the 70s.

This is a really heart warming flick with a cracking story. Sure, the gags are there, but they are not the forefront of the film.

James and Jacques have rarely been in finer form, and manage to construct some very poignant scenes. Amanda Barrie is absolutely drop dead gorgeous.

Perhaps most overlooked, this film has one of the loveliest scores of all the Carry Ons, and makes use of some lovely arrangements.

Definitely a must see if you like the genre.

This is an old fashioned "battle of the sexes" comedy where an unappreciated wife ( Hattie Jacques ) sets up a glamorous female-only taxi outfit in competition with the existing old-fashioned male-only taxi firm run by her workaholic husband ( Sidney James ). Of course the glamorous cabs win all the custom until the male cab business is on the rocks...

By no means the best of the series but still far far funnier than "Carry On Columbus" or "Carry On Behind" etc.