Carry on Cowboy (1966)

Director:

Gerald Thomas

Writer:

Talbot Rothwell (screenplay)

Release Date:

March 1966 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | Western

Tagline:

How the west was hilariously lost!! [Australia]

Plot:

Stodge City is in the grip of the Rumpo Kid and his gang. Mistaken identity again takes a hand as a "sanitary engineer" (plumber) by the name of Marshal P. Knutt is mistaken for a law marshal! Being the conscientious sort, Marshal tries to help the town get rid of Rumpo, and a showdown is inevitable. Marshal has two aids - revenge-seeking Annie Oakley and his sanitary expertise...

Plot Keywords:

Carry On | Sequel | Independent Film

Cast

Sid James	...	Johnny Finger, the Rumpo Kid (as Sidney James)
Kenneth Williams	...	Judge Burke
Jim Dale	...	Marshal P. Knutt
Charles Hawtrey	...	Chief Big Heap
Joan Sims	...	Belle Armitage
Angela Douglas	...	Annie Oakley
Bernard Bresslaw	...	Little Heap
Peter Butterworth	...	Doc
Percy Herbert	...	Charlie, the Bartender
Jon Pertwee	...	Sheriff Albert Earp
Sydney Bromley	...	Sam Houston
Edina Ronay	...	Dolores
Lionel Murton	...	Clerk
Peter Gilmore	...	Henchman Curly
Davy Kaye	...	Josh the Undertaker

Also Known As:

Rumpo Kid
The Rumpo Kid

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:A (original rating) | UK:PG (video rating) | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Black Park Country Park, Wexham, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company:

Peter Rogers Productions

Trivia:

Angela Douglas was terrified about her singing sequence. Joan Sims literally pushed her onto the sound stage, having given her two brandies before she went on!

Quotes:

Sam: I never did get to know exactly what she'd done that was so wrong.
Judge Burke: Old Ben was a friend of mine Sam, and she killed him.
Doc: It was his own fault. He was ninety-two. I warned him not to marry her!

Movie Connections:

Featured in Carry on Snogging (1998) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Carry on Cowboy

camp cowboys

I know the credit for the definitive comedy western mostly goes to Mel Brooks Blazing Saddles I think this is a pretty good contender. Weserns are often pretty funny to watch these days any way because apart from notable exceptions the genre seems a little camp these days. Its a very classy carry on and the budget seems much more generous than other offers in the series. The sets are very impressive and the costumes look wonderful. The outdoor locations are much more convincing than other efforts. I must check to see where it was filmed as it certainly looks like the west in USA. The English team handle the American accents very well and the ever reliables are all in fine form. If at times the accents sound a little like the south of London it actually adds to the fun of the proceedings.Having been to USA several times let me assure you the accents are accurate. Williams is very good as always and Joan Sims looks lovely and proves yet again what a great star she was. Jim Dale in many ways gives the stand out performance. This remarkably gifted actor gave so much to this series and his energy and comic timing is brilliant. Sid is there at the top of his game. Jon Pertwee gives a really funny performance as the sheriff, blind and deaf and it is a comedy masterpiece. Charles Hawtrey is camper than ever and plays the Indian chief with his famous glasses and unlike the others remains Hawtrey as we all want him. Of course its a stroke of comedy genius that all the actors have American accents except for the Indian chief who speaks with a perfect English Oxford English.There is no American accent from the loved performer. The early part is hilarious but once the great Hawtrey starts playing a drunk with a love of fire water it strangely gets a little sad when you are reminded of the great performers sad decline. Its a fun film and the only reason I give it a six is because despite the merit the gag gets a bit thin. Its a sketch idea dragged out into a movie length. Still its a a funny movie.