Carry on Matron (1972)

A gang of thieves plan to make their fortune by stealing a shipment of contraceptive pills from Finisham maternity hospital. They assume disguises and infiltrate the hospital, but ... See full summary »

Director:

Gerald Thomas

Writer:

Talbot Rothwell (screenplay)

Stars:

Sidney James, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sidney James	...	Sid Carter
Kenneth Williams	...	Sir Bernard Cutting
Charles Hawtrey	...	Dr. Francis A. Goode
Joan Sims	...	Mrs. Tidey
Hattie Jacques	...	Matron
Bernard Bresslaw	...	Ernie Bragg
Kenneth Cope	...	Cyril Carter
Terry Scott	...	Dr. Prodd
Barbara Windsor	...	Nurse Susan Ball
Kenneth Connor	...	Mr. Tidey
Jacki Piper	...	Sister
Bill Maynard	...	Freddy
Patsy Rowlands	...	Evelyn Banks
Derek Francis	...	Arthur
Amelia Bayntun	...	Mrs. Jenkins

Storyline

A gang of thieves plan to make their fortune by stealing a shipment of contraceptive pills from Finisham maternity hospital. They assume disguises and infiltrate the hospital, but everything doesn't go according to plan. The hypochondriac consultant Sir Bernard Cutting, Matron and the doctors and nurses at Finisham have a habit of getting in the way.

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Plot Keywords:

nurse | carry on | hospital | pill | contraceptive pill | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Carry On Line

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 May 1972 (UK)

Also Known As:

Carry on - Die total verrückte Oberschwester

Filming Locations:

Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Rank Organisation,Peter Rogers Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Margaret Nolan appears in a single scene in which she tells Terry Scott as Dr Prodd that despite her concerns about her 88-year-old husband's ability to conceive, she is now pregnant. She had originally written a letter to Gerald Thomas stating that she would be happy to work with him again in a Carry On film and was offered the part in a response two weeks later.

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Goofs

When Cyril arrives in drag, Arthur says, "Over to the desk girls," but his mouth does not move.

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Quotes

Sir Bernard Cutting: I've got a problem.
Dr. Francis A. Goode: Haven't we all got a problem?
Sir Bernard Cutting: I can't do it lying down.
Dr. Francis A. Goode: Oh dear, you have got a problem!

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Crazy Credits

Alternative Titles: "Womb at the Top" and "The Preggers Opera"

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Connections

Follows Carry on Henry VIII (1971)

User Reviews

One of the better later Carry ons

I love most of the Carry on films, especially Cleo, Up the Khyber and my favourite Screaming. And I do admit I prefer in general the earlier entries, which had more fun and charm in alternative to the later entries some of which had an over-reliance on smut.

Carry on Matron may have some slow-moving scenes and a thin and predictable plot, with some odd moments of overly-smutty innuendos and crude slapstick. But thanks to the witty gags, sharp script and fun performances, even with its shortcomings it still manages to be one of the better and funnier later entries of the series.

The production values are pleasant, the music is suitably quirky and the direction is solid. What really drives the film are the performances. Hattie Jacques does a fine job in the title role and Charles Hawtrey is as good as ever. The wonderful Kenneth Williams is hilarious and has some of the best lines and scenes, and Sid James plays it straight in a somewhat atypical role. And I mustn't forget the lovely cameos of Kenneth Connor as the nervous dad-to-be and Joan Sims as the overdue mum either.

All in all, an entertaining film. 7/10 Bethany Cox