Richard Webber - The Complete A–Z of Everything Carry On

Titles: G.S.E. Ltd

Processed by Rank Film Laboratories

Producer: Peter Rogers

Director: Gerald Thomas

Vic Flange, a pub landlord, is going on holiday; he’s taking a short break to the Mediterranean resort of Elsbels without his missus, Cora, who hates flying. Not that Vic is worried because it gives him a chance to while away a few days with the flirtatious Sadie Tomkins. His plans are spoilt, though, when one of the regulars, Harry, spills the beans. Hearing that Vic’s off to Elsbels, he tells Cora that Sadie is going too, which makes Vic’s wife determined to overcome her aversion to flying to prevent Miss Tomkins getting her claws into her husband.

Vic, Cora and Sadie are joined by a rather disparate bunch, all taking advantage of Wundatours’ £17 break in the sun, consisting of Marge and Lily, two girls looking for a holiday romance; a group of missionaries searching for the tomb of St Cecilia; Stanley Blunt and his complaining wife, Evelyn; mummy’s boy Eustace Tuttle; the loudmouthed Scot, Bert Conway and a rather gay Robin Tweet and his friend, Nicholas. In charge of the party is the inefficient courier, Stuart Farquhar, and his assistant, Moira Plunkett.

On arriving at the Elsbels Palace Hotel it looks like a holiday from hell is on the cards: it resembles a building site more than a hotel; the switchboard is soon overloaded with complaints about bottomless drawers, taps that spew out sand and backless wardrobes looking straight through into the adjoining bedroom.

Stuart Farquhar (Kenneth Williams), the world’s worst courier

Under the spotlight at the Elsbels Palace Hotel

Despite the hotel only being half-built and builders causing a commotion from five in the morning, relationships blossom. While Brother Bernard, a missionary, forsakes the cloth upon taking a shine to Marge, Nicholas shakes off his camp boyfriend, Robin, to soak up the sun in the company of Lily.

When the holidaymakers head for the local village, with the exception of Evelyn Blunt who’s accidentally left behind at the hotel, Mr Tuttle causes trouble in Madame Fifi’s, a bawdyhouse, by asking the girls to play leapfrog; when he rushes back in brandishing a sword, others go in to help, resulting in a riot between the Brits and the police – even Brother Bernard gets involved when he spots a local bobby manhandling Marge.

As a result of the brawling, everyone spends the night in the police cells with attempts to negotiate their release with the Police Chief, who happens to be Madame Fifi’s brother, falling on deaf ears – that is until Moira uses her charm – and probably her body – to persuade the chief to give them back their freedom. By the time they return to the hotel, Evelyn Blunt is a changed woman, as Stanley soon finds out. Gone is the complaining and lack of interest in sex, replaced by a woman who, after whiling away the previous evening in the arms of Georgio, is making up for all those lost years – much to Stanley’s delight.

But at the evening’s farewell party the mood is far from conducive to having a laugh; that is until a secret love potion, bought at the local market, is poured into the punch. Before long, the party is swinging and even Pepe, the hotel manager, and Floella, the cook, are joining in the fun, despite the ramshackle hotel collapsing around them thanks to the evening’s torrential rain.

ADMIRAL

Played by Peter Butterworth

A randy old sailor in Girls who’s been a permanent resident at Fircombe’s Palace Hotel for years. He’s in his element when the hotel is overrun by beauty contestants, all hoping to be crowned Miss Fircombe, many of whom become victims of his bottom-pinching tendencies.

ADMIRAL OF THE FLEET

Played by Jack Lynn

Sir John is seen dining at the French Ambassador’s residence in Emmannuelle.

ADRIAN

Played by Julian Holloway

A highly-strung photographer who appears in Loving. He’s in turmoil because he’s looking for a big-chested lass for his next assignment and has offended his girlfriend, Gay, by suggesting she falls short of the requirements. His eyes nearly pop out of their sockets when the busty Jenny Grubb walks into the flat Gay shares with Sally Martin; he’s finally found what he’s been looking for and proceeds to launch Jenny’s modelling career advertising body stockings.

ADVANCED CRIMINOLOGY

This book, written by A.C. Ball, is read by PC Benson in Constable.

ADVERTISING FILM STUDIOS, THE

Based near Long Hampton Hospital, the film studios are mentioned in Again Doctor. While filming a commercial there, Goldie Locks slips on an enormous packet of baby food resulting in severe bruising. She’s taken to Long Hampton for examination, much to the delight of sex-mad Dr Nookey.

ADVERTISING MAN, THE

Played by Ian Wilson

Seen in the photographer’s studio in Regardless, the pint-sized advertising man hangs around to watch Francis Courtenay model his client’s beekeeping hat.

AGAIN DOCTOR, CARRY ON

See feature box here.

AGITATED WOMAN

Played by Hilda Fenemore

Seen in Constable, the agitated woman is desperate to spend a penny. When she realises she hasn’t got any change for the lavatory, she stops Constable Constable in the street and borrows it off him.

AGRIPPA

Played by Francis De Wolff

This bearded sailor in Cleo is in charge of the ship taking Caesar to Egypt.

AJIBADI, YEMI

Role: Witch Doctor in Up the Jungle

Born in Otta, Nigeria, in 1929, Ajibadi worked in clerical positions before moving to Sierra Leone and working in a department store. Although originally intending to emigrate to America, he ventured to England in 1953. He studied journalism and law at evening classes but changed direction when he began acting, making his professional debut at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith.

He made occasional television appearances in shows such as Armchair Theatre and Danger Man, and was seen in a handful of films, including three Hammer productions, and 1966’s Naked Evil.

Ajibadi, who returned to Nigeria in 1976 and spent four years helping establish a theatre company in Lagos, is also a playwright.

ALDERSHOT ROAD

A road mentioned in Cabby during the scene where Peggy and Sally are driving while held at gunpoint by crooks.

ALEXANDER, TERENCE

Role: Trevor Trelawney in Regardless

Despite countless film and television appearances during a long career, Terence Alexander, who was born in London in 1923, is probably best remembered for playing Jersey millionaire Charlie Hungerford in BBC’s detective series, Bergerac.

In repertory at sixteen, he forged a career for himself, mainly on the screen; usually cast in light roles, often with upper-class tones, his early film credits include The Woman of No Name, Death Is A Number, The Runaway Bus, Dangerous Cargo, Portrait of Alison, Danger Within and Breakout. He also appeared in the Norman Wisdom comedies, The Bulldog Breed and On the Beat.

His television roles include playing Bill Dodds in 1950’s Garry Halliday , Monty Dartie in 1960’s The Forsyte Saga , Malcolm in 1970’s Terry and June and Sir Greville McDonald in 1980’s The New Statesman .

ALEXANDER, WILLIAM

Assistant Art Director on Loving , Henry , At Your Convenience and Matron

As well as his involvement with the Carry On films, Alexander has worked on various big and small screen productions, including the television series Van der Valk, The Sweeney, Minder and Philip Marlowe – Private Eye. Other film credits include The Naked Runner and The Holcroft Covenant.