Carry On Loving
Encyclopedia
Carry On Loving is the twentieth Carry On
film, and was released in 1970. It features series regulars Sid James
, Kenneth Williams
, Charles Hawtrey
, Joan Sims
, Hattie Jacques
, Terry Scott
and Bernard Bresslaw
alongside newcomers Richard O'Callaghan
(in his first Carry On) and Jacki Piper
(in her second). Carry On Loving featured Imogen Hassall
in her only Carry On role. Compared to earlier films in the series it features more open bawdiness rather than evasive innuendo. There are fictitious locations named for their sexual innuendo, including 'Much-Snogging-On-The-Green', 'Rogerham Mansions' and 'Dunham Road'.
) and his longtime girlfriend Sophie Plummett (Hattie Jacques
). Their "Wedded Bliss" agency purports to bring together lonely hearts using computer-matching technology, but couples are actually paired up at random by Sophie. Bliss consistently avoids marrying Sophie, enthusiastically pursuing Esme Crowfoot(Joan Sims
), a seamstress and client who consistently rejects his advances.
Percival Snooper (Kenneth Williams
) becomes a client to find a wife for business reasons: as a confirmed bachelor, he's inept at his job as a marriage counselor due to lack of personal experience. James Bedsop (Charles Hawtrey
) is a private detective Sophie hires to spy on Sid's after-hours activities when he supposedly "vets
" the female clients, including Esme.
Timid Bertrum Muffet (Richard O'Callaghan
) winds up with model Sally Martin (Jacki Piper
) after the agency muddles his directions to a blind date. Client Terry Philpotts (Terry Scott
) suffers several failures in his dealings with the agency including a disastrous meeting with prim, sheltered Jenny Grubb (Imogen Hassall
). Jenny moves in with Sally, undergoes a makeover, and becomes a model. Terry later finds romance with the "new" Jenny.
Percival's association with Sophie provokes his jealous housekeeper, dowdy Miss Dempsey (Patsy Rowlands
), to reveal her seductive side. Esme's estranged lover, volatile wrestler Gripper Burke (Bernard Bresslaw
), returns to cause havoc in a mistaken-identity case.
Peter Butterworth
appears in a 1-minute cameo as a Bluebeard
-esque character jokingly referred to as Dr. Crippen. He approaches Sid Bliss in order to find his third wife. His first wife died eating poisoned mushrooms, the second suffered a fractured skull because "she wouldn't eat the mushrooms."
Interiors:
Exteriors:
Carry On films
The Carry On films are a series of low-budget British comedy films, directed by Gerald Thomas and produced by Peter Rogers. They are an energetic mix of parody, farce, slapstick and double entendres....
film, and was released in 1970. It features series regulars Sid James
Sid James
Sid James was an English-based South African actor and comedian. He made his name as Tony Hancock's co-star in Hancock's Half Hour and also starred in the popular Carry On films. He was known for his trademark "dirty laugh" and lascivious persona...
, Kenneth Williams
Kenneth Williams
Kenneth Charles Williams was an English comic actor and comedian. He was one of the main ensemble in 26 of the Carry On films, and appeared in numerous British television shows, and radio comedies with Tony Hancock and Kenneth Horne.-Life and career:Kenneth Charles Williams was born on 22 February...
, Charles Hawtrey
Charles Hawtrey (film actor)
George Frederick Joffre Hartree , known as Charles Hawtrey, was an English comedy actor and musician.Beginning at a young age as a boy soprano, he made several records before moving on to the radio...
, Joan Sims
Joan Sims
Joan Sims was an English actress best remembered for her roles in the Carry On films, and latterly for playing Madge Hardcastle in As Time Goes By.-Early life:...
, Hattie Jacques
Hattie Jacques
Josephine Edwina Jaques was an English comedy actress, known as Hattie Jacques.Starting her career in the 1940s, Jacques first gained attention through her radio appearances with Tommy Handley on ITMA and later with Tony Hancock on Hancock's Half Hour...
, Terry Scott
Terry Scott
Owen John "Terry" Scott was an English actor and comedian who appeared in seven Carry On films. He also appeared in BBC1's popular domestic sitcom Terry and June with June Whitfield...
and Bernard Bresslaw
Bernard Bresslaw
Bernard Bresslaw was an English actor. He is best remembered for his comedy work, especially as a member of the Carry On team.-Biography:...
alongside newcomers Richard O'Callaghan
Richard O'Callaghan
Richard O'Callaghan is an English film, stage and television character actor.Born on 7 March 1940, he is the son of actors Patricia Hayes and Valentine Brooke whose stage name was Valentine Rooke. As a boy actor he was known as Richard Brooke. He has led a versatile career in film, stage and...
(in his first Carry On) and Jacki Piper
Jacki Piper
Jacqueline Barrell , better known as Jacki Piper, is a British actress, best known for her appearances in Carry On Up the Jungle, Carry On Loving, Carry On at Your Convenience, and Carry On Matron....
(in her second). Carry On Loving featured Imogen Hassall
Imogen Hassall
Imogen Hassall was an English actress who appeared in 33 films during the 1960s and 1970s.- Early life :...
in her only Carry On role. Compared to earlier films in the series it features more open bawdiness rather than evasive innuendo. There are fictitious locations named for their sexual innuendo, including 'Much-Snogging-On-The-Green', 'Rogerham Mansions' and 'Dunham Road'.
Plot
Various events involve a dating agency run by Sid Bliss (Sid JamesSid James
Sid James was an English-based South African actor and comedian. He made his name as Tony Hancock's co-star in Hancock's Half Hour and also starred in the popular Carry On films. He was known for his trademark "dirty laugh" and lascivious persona...
) and his longtime girlfriend Sophie Plummett (Hattie Jacques
Hattie Jacques
Josephine Edwina Jaques was an English comedy actress, known as Hattie Jacques.Starting her career in the 1940s, Jacques first gained attention through her radio appearances with Tommy Handley on ITMA and later with Tony Hancock on Hancock's Half Hour...
). Their "Wedded Bliss" agency purports to bring together lonely hearts using computer-matching technology, but couples are actually paired up at random by Sophie. Bliss consistently avoids marrying Sophie, enthusiastically pursuing Esme Crowfoot(Joan Sims
Joan Sims
Joan Sims was an English actress best remembered for her roles in the Carry On films, and latterly for playing Madge Hardcastle in As Time Goes By.-Early life:...
), a seamstress and client who consistently rejects his advances.
Percival Snooper (Kenneth Williams
Kenneth Williams
Kenneth Charles Williams was an English comic actor and comedian. He was one of the main ensemble in 26 of the Carry On films, and appeared in numerous British television shows, and radio comedies with Tony Hancock and Kenneth Horne.-Life and career:Kenneth Charles Williams was born on 22 February...
) becomes a client to find a wife for business reasons: as a confirmed bachelor, he's inept at his job as a marriage counselor due to lack of personal experience. James Bedsop (Charles Hawtrey
Charles Hawtrey (film actor)
George Frederick Joffre Hartree , known as Charles Hawtrey, was an English comedy actor and musician.Beginning at a young age as a boy soprano, he made several records before moving on to the radio...
) is a private detective Sophie hires to spy on Sid's after-hours activities when he supposedly "vets
Vetting
Vetting is a process of examination and evaluation, generally referring to performing a background check on someone before offering him or her employment, conferring an award, etc...
" the female clients, including Esme.
Timid Bertrum Muffet (Richard O'Callaghan
Richard O'Callaghan
Richard O'Callaghan is an English film, stage and television character actor.Born on 7 March 1940, he is the son of actors Patricia Hayes and Valentine Brooke whose stage name was Valentine Rooke. As a boy actor he was known as Richard Brooke. He has led a versatile career in film, stage and...
) winds up with model Sally Martin (Jacki Piper
Jacki Piper
Jacqueline Barrell , better known as Jacki Piper, is a British actress, best known for her appearances in Carry On Up the Jungle, Carry On Loving, Carry On at Your Convenience, and Carry On Matron....
) after the agency muddles his directions to a blind date. Client Terry Philpotts (Terry Scott
Terry Scott
Owen John "Terry" Scott was an English actor and comedian who appeared in seven Carry On films. He also appeared in BBC1's popular domestic sitcom Terry and June with June Whitfield...
) suffers several failures in his dealings with the agency including a disastrous meeting with prim, sheltered Jenny Grubb (Imogen Hassall
Imogen Hassall
Imogen Hassall was an English actress who appeared in 33 films during the 1960s and 1970s.- Early life :...
). Jenny moves in with Sally, undergoes a makeover, and becomes a model. Terry later finds romance with the "new" Jenny.
Percival's association with Sophie provokes his jealous housekeeper, dowdy Miss Dempsey (Patsy Rowlands
Patsy Rowlands
Patsy Rowlands was an English actress who is best remembered for her roles in the Carry On films, as Betty in the popular ITV Thames sitcom Bless This House, and as Alice Meredith in the Yorkshire Television sitcom Hallelujah!.-Early years:She was born in Palmers Green, London and attended a...
), to reveal her seductive side. Esme's estranged lover, volatile wrestler Gripper Burke (Bernard Bresslaw
Bernard Bresslaw
Bernard Bresslaw was an English actor. He is best remembered for his comedy work, especially as a member of the Carry On team.-Biography:...
), returns to cause havoc in a mistaken-identity case.
Peter Butterworth
Peter Butterworth
Peter William Shorrocks Butterworth was an English comedy actor and comedian, best known for his appearances in the Carry On series of films. He was also a regular on children's television and radio and appeared in seven early episodes of Doctor Who in 1965 as the 'The Meddling Monk'...
appears in a 1-minute cameo as a Bluebeard
Bluebeard
"Bluebeard" is a French literary folktale written by Charles Perrault and is one of eight tales by the author first published by Barbin in Paris in January 1697 in Histoires ou Contes du temps passé. The tale tells the story of a violent nobleman in the habit of murdering his wives and the...
-esque character jokingly referred to as Dr. Crippen. He approaches Sid Bliss in order to find his third wife. His first wife died eating poisoned mushrooms, the second suffered a fractured skull because "she wouldn't eat the mushrooms."
Cast and Crew
- Sid JamesSid JamesSid James was an English-based South African actor and comedian. He made his name as Tony Hancock's co-star in Hancock's Half Hour and also starred in the popular Carry On films. He was known for his trademark "dirty laugh" and lascivious persona...
as Sidney Bliss - Kenneth WilliamsKenneth WilliamsKenneth Charles Williams was an English comic actor and comedian. He was one of the main ensemble in 26 of the Carry On films, and appeared in numerous British television shows, and radio comedies with Tony Hancock and Kenneth Horne.-Life and career:Kenneth Charles Williams was born on 22 February...
as Percival Snooper - Charles HawtreyCharles Hawtrey (film actor)George Frederick Joffre Hartree , known as Charles Hawtrey, was an English comedy actor and musician.Beginning at a young age as a boy soprano, he made several records before moving on to the radio...
as James Bedsop - Hattie JacquesHattie JacquesJosephine Edwina Jaques was an English comedy actress, known as Hattie Jacques.Starting her career in the 1940s, Jacques first gained attention through her radio appearances with Tommy Handley on ITMA and later with Tony Hancock on Hancock's Half Hour...
as Sophie Bliss - Joan SimsJoan SimsJoan Sims was an English actress best remembered for her roles in the Carry On films, and latterly for playing Madge Hardcastle in As Time Goes By.-Early life:...
as Esme Crowfoot - Bernard BresslawBernard BresslawBernard Bresslaw was an English actor. He is best remembered for his comedy work, especially as a member of the Carry On team.-Biography:...
as Gripper Burke - Terry ScottTerry ScottOwen John "Terry" Scott was an English actor and comedian who appeared in seven Carry On films. He also appeared in BBC1's popular domestic sitcom Terry and June with June Whitfield...
as Terry Philpott - Jacki PiperJacki PiperJacqueline Barrell , better known as Jacki Piper, is a British actress, best known for her appearances in Carry On Up the Jungle, Carry On Loving, Carry On at Your Convenience, and Carry On Matron....
as Sally Martin - Richard O'CallaghanRichard O'CallaghanRichard O'Callaghan is an English film, stage and television character actor.Born on 7 March 1940, he is the son of actors Patricia Hayes and Valentine Brooke whose stage name was Valentine Rooke. As a boy actor he was known as Richard Brooke. He has led a versatile career in film, stage and...
as Bertrum Muffet - Imogen HassallImogen HassallImogen Hassall was an English actress who appeared in 33 films during the 1960s and 1970s.- Early life :...
as Jenny Grubb - Patsy RowlandsPatsy RowlandsPatsy Rowlands was an English actress who is best remembered for her roles in the Carry On films, as Betty in the popular ITV Thames sitcom Bless This House, and as Alice Meredith in the Yorkshire Television sitcom Hallelujah!.-Early years:She was born in Palmers Green, London and attended a...
as Miss Dempsey - Peter ButterworthPeter ButterworthPeter William Shorrocks Butterworth was an English comedy actor and comedian, best known for his appearances in the Carry On series of films. He was also a regular on children's television and radio and appeared in seven early episodes of Doctor Who in 1965 as the 'The Meddling Monk'...
as Sinister client - Joan HicksonJoan HicksonJoan Hickson OBE was an English actress of theatre, film and television, famed for playing Agatha Christie's Miss Marple in the television series Miss Marple.- Wivenhoe :...
as Mrs Grubb - Julian HollowayJulian HollowayJulian Holloway is an English actor now based in Hollywood, CA, United States. He is the son of the comedy actor and singer Stanley Holloway and former chorus dancer and actress Violet Lane...
as Adrian - Janet MahoneyJanet MahoneyJanet Mahoney is a British actress who has appeared in film and television roles. She appeared in the several films, including Doctor in Trouble, Mutiny on the Buses and Carry On Loving. She was also in episodes of the television series Dad's Army and Up Pompeii!.*-References:...
as Gay - Ann WayAnn WayAnn Way was an English character actress in film and television. Born in Wiveliscombe, she began her career in repertory in Dundee in the 1960s....
as Victoria Grubb - Bill MaynardBill MaynardWalter Frederick George Williams , better known by the stage name Bill Maynard, is an English comedian and actor.-Early life and career:...
as Mr Dreery - Amelia BayntunAmelia BayntunAmelia Bayntun was an English Actress. She was born in Bristol on 31 March 1919 as Amelia Ellen Bayntun and died in Islington, London in January 1988.- Career :...
as Corset lady - Gordon Richardson as Ernest Grubb
- Tom Clegg as Trainer
- Lucy GriffithsLucy Griffiths (actress born 1919)Lucy Griffiths was a British character actress whose work spanned from the early 1950s through to the early 1980s....
as Woman - Valerie Shute as Girl lover
- Mike Grady as Boy lover
- Anthony SagarAnthony SagarAnthony Sagar was an English character actor. Although rarely receiving top billing, he was regarded as a stalwart and appeared in many well-known films and in many television sitcoms and dramas such as The Moonstone, Dad's Army, The Avengers and Steptoe and Son.-Career:Sagar was born in...
as Man in hospital - Harry Shacklock as Lavatory attendant
- Derek FrancisDerek FrancisDerek Francis was an English comedy and character actor.He was a regular in the Carry On film players, appearing in six of the films in the 1960s and 1970s. He appeared in Roger Corman's last film of his Edgar Allan Poe series The Tomb of Ligeia...
as Bishop - Alexandra DaneAlexandra DaneAlexandra Dane is a blonde haired actress who appeared in many films including Goldfinger, The Ups and Downs of a Handyman, Carry On Up The Khyber, Carry On Loving, other Carry On films and Terry Gilliam's Jabberwocky.Her many television appearances include Not On Your Nellie, Alas Smith and Jones...
as Emily - Philip StonePhilip StonePhilip Stone was an English actor.He was born Philip Stones in Leeds, West Yorkshire. Stone appeared in three successive Stanley Kubrick films: playing the central character's "Dad" in A Clockwork Orange , "Graham" in Barry Lyndon and as "Delbert Grady," the original caretaker in The Shining...
as Robinson - Sonny Farrar as Violinist
- Patricia FranklinPatricia FranklinPatricia Franklin is an English actress. Her television credits include Black Books, The Bill, Silent Witness, The Sweeney and Play for Today....
as Mrs Dreery - Hilda Barry as Grandma Grubb
- Josie Bradley as Pianist
- Bart Allison as Grandpa Grubb
- Anna KarenAnna KarenAnna Karen is a South African-born British film, television and theatre actress.-Career:Early in her career, Karen worked as a striptease dancer at London's Panama Club. During her acting career she has starred in many films and television programmes, including the BBC sitcom Wild, Wild Women,...
as Wife - Dorothea Phillips as Beatrice Grubb
- Lauri Lupino Lane as Husband
- Bill PertweeBill PertweeWilliam Desmond Anthony Pertwee MBE is a British comedy actor. He is best known for playing the part of antagonist ARP Warden Hodges in the popular sitcom Dad's Army.-Early and personal life:...
as Barman - Colin Vancao as Wilberforce Grubb
- Gavin Reed as Window dresser
- Joe Cornelius as Second
- Len Lowe as Maitre d'hotel
- Fred Griffiths as Taxi driver
- Ronnie Brodie as Henry
- Kenny LynchKenny LynchKenny Lynch, OBE is an English singer, songwriter, entertainer and actor from London. Lynch appeared in many variety shows in the 1960s...
as Bus conductor - Robert RussellRobert Russell (English actor)Robert Russell was an English actor, perhaps best known for a memorable supporting role as John Stearne alongside Vincent Price in the classic British horror film Witchfinder General....
as Policeman
- Screenplay - Talbot RothwellTalbot RothwellTalbot Nelson Conn Rothwell, OBE was an English screenwriter.Rothwell was born in Bromley, Kent, England. He had a variety of jobs during his early life: town clerk, police officer, and Royal Air Force pilot....
- Music - Eric Rogers
- Production Manager - Jack Swinburne
- Art Director - Lionel CouchLionel CouchLionel Couch was a British art director. He was nominated for two Academy Awards in the category Best Art Direction.-Selected filmography:Couch was nominated for two Academy Awards for Best Art Direction:...
- Editor - Alfred RoomeAlfred RoomeAlfred Roome was a British cinematographer, film editor and occasional director. Born in London, on 22 December 1908 he first worked in the film industry as a film editor on the 1932 British comedy film Thark...
- Director of Photography - Ernest StewardErnest StewardErnest Steward BSC was a British cinematographer.Born in London, England he began his career - as with most cinematographers of his era - as a camera operator; his early credits in this field included Great Expectations and London Belongs to Me .As Director of Photography, he filmed mostly...
- Assistant Editor - Jack Gardner
- Make-up - Geoffrey Rodway
- Continuity - Josephine Knowles
- Camera Operator - James Bawden
- Assistant Director - David Bracknell
- Hairdresser - Stella Rivers
- Sound Recordists - JWN Daniel & Ken Barker
- Costume Designer - Courtenay Elliott
- Assistant Art Director - William Alexander
- Set Dresser - Peter HowittPeter HowittPeter Howitt is an English actor and film director. He grew up in Eltham, London and Bromley, Kent, Peter used to be a part of the Priory Players in the Priory behind Christ Church, Eltham. He studied at the Drama Studio London. He has two children, Luke and Amy...
- Dubbing Editor - Marcel Durham
- Titles & Opticals - GSE Ltd
- Processor - Rank Film Laboratories
- Producer - Peter RogersPeter RogersPeter Rogers was a British film producer.Rogers began his career as a journalist for his local paper before graduating to scriptwriting religious informational films...
- Director - Gerald ThomasGerald ThomasGerald Thomas was an English film director, born in Hull.-Early life:Thomas was training in medicine when the Second World War began. He then served in the British army during the war, in Europe and the Middle East...
Filming and Locations
- Filming dates – 6 April-15 May 1970
Interiors:
- Pinewood StudiosPinewood StudiosPinewood Studios is a major British film studio situated in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, approximately west of central London. The studios have played host to many productions over the years from huge blockbuster films to television shows to commercials to pop promos.The purchase of Shepperton...
, Buckinghamshire
Exteriors:
- The streets of Windsor, BerkshireWindsor, BerkshireWindsor is an affluent suburban town and unparished area in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire, England. It is widely known as the site of Windsor Castle, one of the official residences of the British Royal Family....
. The corner of Park Street and Sheet Street doubled for the Wedded Bliss Agency. This was previously used for the Helping Hands Agency in Carry On RegardlessCarry On RegardlessCarry on Regardless was the fifth in the series of Carry On films to be made. It was released in 1961. By now a fairly regular team was established with Sid James, Kenneth Connor, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims and Kenneth Williams all having appeared in previous entries. Hattie Jacques - who was...
a decade earlier.