Carry On Jack (1964)

This is the tale of Albert Poop-Decker, a newly commissioned Midshipman (although he took 8 1/2 years to qualify). He joins the frigate Venus, and adventures through Spanish waters, mutinee... See full summary »

Director:

Gerald Thomas

Writer:

Talbot Rothwell (original screenplay)

Stars:

Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Bernard Cribbins

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kenneth Williams	...	Captain Fearless
Bernard Cribbins	...	Midshipman Albert Poop-Decker
Juliet Mills	...	Sally
Charles Hawtrey	...	Walter Sweetly
Donald Houston	...	First Officer Jonathan Howett
Percy Herbert	...	Mr. Angel, the Bos'un
Jim Dale	...	Young Carrier
Patrick Cargill	...	Don Luis, the Spanish Governor
Cecil Parker	...	First Sealord
Ed Devereaux	...	Hook, Pirate
Peter Gilmore	...	Patch, Pirate Captain, aka Roger
George Woodbridge	...	Ned
Ian Wilson	...	Ancient Carrier
Jimmy Thompson	...	Adm. Horatio Nelson
Anton Rodgers	...	Hardy

Storyline

This is the tale of Albert Poop-Decker, a newly commissioned Midshipman (although he took 8 1/2 years to qualify). He joins the frigate Venus, and adventures through Spanish waters, mutinee and Pirates taking his Captain, his sweet-heart and his best-friend with him! With mistaken identities and shipwrecks awash, it's a surprise any of them live to tell the tale!

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Plot Keywords:

navy | carry on | camp | campy | ship | 

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Taglines:

You'll go overboard for -

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

This "Carry On" movie featured such series regulars as Jim Dale, Charles Hawtrey and Kenneth Williams.

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Goofs

No pirate captain would sink an undamaged ship. At the least, it would be taken to a port and sold. At best, he now has the beginnings of a fleet, making it easier to capture others.

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Quotes

Albert Poop-Decker: If you've got a heart of oak, it's got a worm in it.

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Alternate Versions

A dialogue reference to "The birds and the bees" was cut from the original cinema release by the BBFC and the line remains missing in all later video/DVD releases.

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Connections

Followed by Don't Lose Your Head (1967)

User Reviews

Not a great film nor a great Carry On but it is amusing and broad enough to satisfy fans

On his deathbed, Nelson calls for a larger British Navy, a point that the Admiralty agree on. Problem is that they have limited men left – a problem that leads to them finally allowing Albert Poop-Decker to pass out despite him having failed consistently for the past 8 years. However a visit to a house of ill-repute sees him knocked out by Sally and his uniform stolen; things get worse when he is then picked up by a pressgang and taken to the very ship that he was meant to be serving on. He can't even get his job back, because Sally has dressed as him and has taken his place convincingly. While Albert tries to cope with this, he unwittingly finds a plot by First Officer Jonathon Howett to remove Captain Fearless from command of the Venus.

I'm not entirely what to make of the decision to show this film on the day also taken to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar (28th June 2005) but I decided to watch it anyway. Notable for being the first time that the Carry On series went for a full on historical setting with full costumes this film isn't really notable for anything else. Lacking many of the regulars, the material is not as funny as it could have been as it aims for a broad spoof that lacks enough clever lines to be considered a strong entry in the series. This is not to say that it is not amusing because, like many of the series, it is broadly entertaining in a very basic way and is fun if you like the series – just don't expect to be bowled over by it.

The lack of the regulars is a bit of a problem but the film soldiers on regardless. Williams is enjoyable as Fearless, delivering his usual performance to good effect. Cribbins takes on the role usually played by Jim Dale (who turns up in a minor role) and does it reasonably well. Mills is quite good looking but not much else and she looks like a man in exactly the same way that Brittany Spears doesn't. Houston and Herbert provide some gruff support and do well despite not providing any laughs. Hawtrey is his usual self again to good effect.

Overall not a great film or a great entry in the series but it is broadly amusing and will please fans of the series. A few more regulars and a lot sharper and wittier lines would have made it much better but it is what it is and I guess you'll already know if you'll like it or not before you watch it.

Details

Official Sites:

Carry On Line

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 April 1964 (UK)

Also Known As:

Carry on Venus

Filming Locations:

Frensham Ponds, Farnham, Surrey, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Peter Rogers Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor) (uncredited)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1