La folle croisière

When captain Wellington Crowther (Sid James) boards his ship the S.S.Wanderer he finds several of his crew replaced by apparent incompetents. Kenneth Williams is a sarcastic know-it-all, Kenneth Connor is a love-hungry doctor, and Lance Percival plays a chef with strange ideas about cake ingredients. Soon he realises the passengers are just as loopy: tiny old dear Esma Cannon is a "mad pixie" with a passion for mixers, Ronnie Stevens plays an alcoholic who drinks himself around the world without leaving the ship's bar, and Dilys Lane is on the prowl for a man much to the annoyance of her best friend (Liz Fraser).

The replacement crew do their best to please their temporary captain, but all efforts only serve to frustrate him. When they find out this cruise is to be his last on the ship they set about organising a surprise party to make amends.

The first colour Carry On is slightly smuttier than the earlier films, an indication of things to come, and boasts a large and realistic ocean liner set. Due to obvious budgetary limitations the action doesn't leave the ship, so brief stock footage is used to establish foreign locales when the ship drops anchor.

Sid James is rather underused in his mainly straight (and non-lecherous) role as ship's captain, his trademark cackle only appearing once or twice. Kenneth Williams doesn't get to do much more, as here the talented Kenneth Connor takes centre stage. He shyly pursues Dilys Lane's husband hunting young woman, who stalks both the gym tutor and the captain before realizing the doctor's intentions. Lance Percival (a face created for comedy) amuses as the ship's chef, and Esma Cannon provides a few laughs as a dizzy pensioner.

Those who prefer the earlier Carry Ons may find this one falling between two stools, as the transition to the series' middle period is much in evidence here. As always though, it provides enough real laughs and remains as watchable and good-natured as any in the series. A good example of vintage British humour for those interested.

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.

I'm a Yank who's always loved British comedy and I'm sorta amazed that the reputation of this series never really traveled over to this side of the pond.

I haven't seen all of the Carry Ons, but of the ones I've enjoyed, Cruising stands out. I'm not sure why it doesn't get the love of the later films. Maybe it's because it's a relatively laid-back affair with a breezy sense of humor that never really sinks into toilet jokes or smutty double entendres.

Some say that Sid and Kenneth are underused - my opinion is that they're like a dash of cayenne pepper in the mix. A little dab'll do ya! I miss Charles Hawtrey but Lance Percival is hilarious. The color works well and the sets are very elaborate, especially the shot when the camera pans down into the ship's swimming pool. I showed this one to my girlfriend (who generally doesn't like older movies) and she was laughing out loud the whole time.

There seems to be a minority who rate this entry highly. For my money this one's better than Cleo and Cowboy...maybe not as good as Screaming. Just my 2 cents.

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

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).