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CARRY ON CABBY

An Anglo Amalgamated film

A Peter Rogers production

Distributed by the Rank Organisation

Based on an original idea by S.C. Green and R.M. Hills

Released as a U certificate in 1963 in black & white

Running time: 91 mins

CAST

PRODUCTION TEAM

Screenplay by Talbot Rothwell

Music composed and conducted by Eric Rogers

Associate Producer: Frank Bevis

Art Director: Jack Stephens

Editor: Archie Ludski

Director of Photography: Alan Hume BSC

Camera Operator: Godfrey Godar

Unit Manager: Donald Toms

Assistant Director: Peter Bolton

Sound Editor: Arthur Ridout

Sound Recordists: Bill Daniels and Gordon K. McCallum

Hairdressing: Biddy Chrystal

Make-up Artists: Geoffrey Rodway and Jim Hydes

Continuity: Penny Daniels

Costume Designer: Joan Ellacott

The Producers acknowledged the assistance of The London General Cab Co. Ltd and The Ford Motor Company Limited in the making of the film.

Producer: Peter Rogers

Director: Gerald Thomas

Charlie Hawkins has his work cut out training his new drivers

Flo (Esma Cannon) is prevented from earning a few extra pennies by Allbright (Norman Chappell)

Charlie Hawkins is the proud owner of Speedee Taxis, dedicating so much time to his work that his relationship with his wife, Peggy, who feels neglected and unloved, suffers. The final straw comes when Charlie, who’d forgotten their wedding anniversary until reminded by his wife, fails to arrive home in time to take her out for a meal. A last-minute cabbing job had turned into a nightmare, ferrying an expectant woman and her husband back and forth to the hospital.

Feeling increasingly depressed, coupled with the knowledge that her dream of starting a family and settling into a quiet country-cottage lifestyle seems increasingly remote, Peggy decides it’s time for revenge. Speedee Taxis have been unhindered by competition in the district since the company was established, so she forms a rival taxi firm and gives her uncaring husband a run for his money. After buying a fleet of new Ford Cortinas and employing a team of leggy lovelies to drive them, Glamcabs opens for business, without Charlie knowing that the driving force behind his competitor is none other than his own wife. Before long, the company is the most popular taxi firm in town, hitting Charlie Hawkins where it hurts the most – in his pocket. Customers, particularly men, opt for Glamcabs every time: new motors and attractive drivers have much more pulling power than crusty old men driving antiquated wrecks.

Charlie reaches for the bottle as business hits rock bottom; attempts to sabotage his rival’s vehicles and to pinch their business by intercepting their radio messages fail. Unable to muster any more ideas to see off Glamcabs, Charlie realises there is no option but to reluctantly meet Mrs Glam and discuss a merger, but nothing prepares him for the shock when he discovers that Mrs Glam is none other than his wife.

It looks as if irreparable damage has been done to the Hawkins’s marriage, but when Peggy and her closest friend, Sally, run into trouble, it’s Charlie who comes to the rescue. While the girls are heading for the bank with their takings, two crooks jump in their Glamcab and force them at gunpoint to drive out of town; with their lives in peril, Charlie coordinates a bold rescue using his fleet of taxis. After eventually catching the criminals and freeing his beloved, Charlie receives further good news when he hears he’s going to be a father.

Flo (Esma Cannon) and Peggy (Hattie Jacques) consult ( Cabby )

His screen work was also combined with a fruitful career as a hotelier, restaurateur and club owner. He retired eleven years before his death in 2002, aged eighty-one.

CAMPLING, DAVID

Dubbing Editor on Doctor

Working in films as a sound editor from the mid-1960s, David Campling’s credits include films such as The Magnificent Two , To Catch A Spy, The Terminator, Platoon!, A Tiger’s Tale, The Bounty Hunter, Thieves of Fortune, Flamingo Dreams and Wild Turkey.

His television work covers programmes such as Knot’s Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac , a mini-series revisiting the successful American show, and many films specially for the genre.

CANNON, ESMA

Roles: Deaf Old Lady in Constable ; Miss Cooling in Regardless , Bridget Madderley in Cruising and Flo Sims in Cabby

Born in Sydney, Australia, in 1896, the diminutive Esma Cannon, who was adept at playing twitchy, nervous, forgetful spinsters and maids, travelled to England in the early 1930s to pursue an acting career.

Beginning in theatre, she entered films in the late 1930s with productions such as The £5 Man, The Last Adventurers and Ladies in Love. She took a seven-year break from acting, due to a shortage of suitable parts on offer, and worked in stage management .

In just under three decades she clocked up over sixty films, including Contraband, Quiet Wedding, Asking for Trouble, A Canterbury Tale, Jassy, Here Come the Huggetts, Out of the Clouds, Nurse On Wheels and her last film, in 1963, Hide and Seek. She appeared infrequently on the small screen, her most notable role being Lily in the 1960s comedy, The Rag Trade.