Product: Carry on Doctor [Region 2] (1976)
Rating: 4.0
CARRY ON DOCTOR
For the 15th entry in the long running British comedy film series, it was a return to familiar terriotry - the hospital. Carry On Nurse (1958) had enjoyed immense International success so a similar formular was re-worked into Carry On Doctor.It must be said that Carry On Doctor is amongst the most famous in the series and indeed it has many fine moments throughout, although I have to say that I found Again Doctor (1969) to be more satisfying as there was a little bit more of (dare I say it) a plot structure. This is no more than an updated formular of Carry On Nurse, with slight variations. All of the gang are here, with guest star Frankie Howard receiving top billing. Also included are Sid James (who due to his present illness at the time was restricted to film most of his scenes in bed), Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Hattie Jaques as the ferocious, no-nonsence matron, Jim Dale, Joan Sims, barbara Windsor, Bernard Bresslaw, Peter Butterworth, Anita Harris and Dilys Laye.Basically all fun and games throughout although the climax is good where the patients rebel aginst Williams and Jaques after the unfair dismissal of accident prone Jim Dale. They subject to Williams to an ice cold bath and Jaques to a degrading blanket bath - amusing stuff.Best players would have to be Kenneth Williams and Hattie Jaques although many of the other cast members get their moments too including Frankie Howard who seems to effortlessly blend in with the regular Carry On cast as though he'd always been part of the team, Jim Dale who is accident prone throughout and Charles Hawtrey in an unusual role as a patient suffering from a sympathetic pregnacy! Barbara Windsor makes a welcome return to the series who had not been seen since 1962's Carry On Spying whilst Joan Sims is another regular in an unusual role as Frankie Howards deaf assistant. She plays the role masterfully whilst Bernard Bresslaw and Peter Butterworth bubble in the back ground as patients.The series was on a roll at this time after enjoying success with Screaming (1966) and Don't lose Your Head (1966) and the next two films would perharps be the pinnacle of the series with Up The Kyber (1968) and Camping (1968). As for Carry On Doctor (1967) this defintley ranks up there with the other greats of the series. Recommended!