I have seen several Carry ons such as "Carry on Camping" and I must say I found them rather under whelming. The comedy was very forced, "contrived" would be under stating it. "Carry on Camping" worked too hard for laughs and all of them vulgar. Now don't get me wrong I love vulgarity and earthy humour but the later films sometimes worked too hard. They often look rather tired and old. Now Carry on Sergeant was the first and this is a different story all together. I was really surprised and delighted. It was beautiful. The other writers have covered the plot really well but all I would add that the movie has a lovely sentimentality that surprised me. The ending is genuinely moving and I defy anyone not to shed a tear.While it is very funny, it is warm and understated. The characters are actually well developed and the situations are not as contrived. The female characters are more developed and less irritating and forced. Dora Bryan, the West End Dolly Levi, is brilliant.The film moves along at a gentle pace and I found it to be nostalgic and utterly charming. The acting is top notch. The first time I saw it I was very young but I can recall laughing every time I saw the great Charles Hawtrey. What a wonderfully gifted actor and no one can play camp as well as him. Theses were sad days. You could be camp but you could never be gay. Ay least some things are better.
Review of Carry on Sergeant
