Carry On Screaming!

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Mild-mannered Albert Potter and his lady-friend, Doris Mann (Angela Douglas), are spending some time together in Hocombe Woods, when Doris is frightened by seeing something in the bushes. Albert goes to investigate but, on his return, he's alarmed to discover Doris has gone and, in her place, is a large and hairy finger. Albert goes to the police and is questioned by Detective Sergeant Sidney Bung (Harry H. Corbett in his one and only Carry On appearance) and Detective Constable Slobotham (Peter Butterworth).

Investigation leads the trio to Bide-A-Wee Rest Home, abode of the beautiful Valeria Watt (Fenella Fielding) and her enigmatic brother Dr. Watt (a relative of Dr. Who), who fades away unless he's kept well-charged. Are the Watts involved in the disappearance of so many women from Hocombe Woods? Why is Albert convinced Doris has been turned into a lady's dummy? And will Bung ever get to the bottom of Valeria Watt?

This is, IMO, one of the very best Carry On films. It's a spoof on horror films and is - like most of the best Carry Ons - a historical one, being set in Edwardian times.

Sid James was originally meant to play Bung, but Harry H. Corbett is brilliant in the role. Charles Hawtrey has a brief part as Dan Dann the gardening man, who's now working as a restroom attendant and who has information to offer. Bernard Bresslaw is in it too, as Sockett, the Watts' rather unusual butler.

There's a funny cameo from Jon Pertwee as a scientist who accidentally rejuvenates "Oddbod Junior" from the finger left in Hocombe Woods.

This is also the Carry On with the best theme tune. It's one of the few with a singer, and the singer was credited as "Anon". It was suspected for years that Jim Dale sang the theme tune, but Ray Pilgrim, a popular session singer, finally took the credit.

Watch out for the bits in the opening credits where the words shiver in time with the screaming!

Comments

[changeling72.livejournal.com]

My favourite!

Frying tonight!

[thisbluespirit]

Roundabouts or thereabouts or layabouts? ;-P

It is one of the best, definitely, especially script-wise.

[swordznsorcery.livejournal.com]

Fenella Fielding is wonderful, isn't she. I always fondly remember her as the hilariously OTT Vixen, the evil nemesis of Uncle Jack in the Children's BBC series of the same name. They were like the pantomime Doctor and Master, and I loved them dearly (despite being much older than the intended audience!)

[leesa_perrie]

Sounds fun!! :)

[amedia.livejournal.com]

I have always wondered about the "Carry On" movies ... I have been loving these entries and their glimpse into that wacky world!!!