Watch Carry On Loving
- 1970
- 1 hr 28 min
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5.9 (2,687)
Carry On Loving is a 1970 British comedy film directed by Gerald Thomas and produced by Peter Rogers, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Talbot Rothwell. It is the 20th film in the long-running Carry On series, which was renowned for its bawdy humour, innuendo-laden jokes, and its regular cast of comic actors. Set in a London dating agency, the film follows the amorous exploits of a cast of characters, all looking for love in the swinging sixties. Sidney Bliss (Sidney James) runs the agency, but he is struggling to keep it afloat thanks to the ineptitude of his staff. Among the eager bachelors are Humphrey (Terry Scott), a stockbroker with a penchant for long words, and Percival (Kenneth Williams), a henpecked florist whose wife would rather he stayed at home.
Meanwhile, the women seeking love include the enticing Delia (Jacki Piper), who is as cunning as she is beautiful, and the shy Marlene (Joan Sims), who never seems to get a break. At the same time, the agency is under attack from the rival firm of Wedded Bliss, which is run by Sidney's scheming brother-in-law Reg (Charles Hawtrey).
The film is a classic example of the Carry On formula, which features snappy one-liners, broad slapstick, and plenty of double entendres. Sidney James is on typically fine form as the beleaguered Bliss, who is constantly trying to outwit his rivals and impress the women he desires. Williams, meanwhile, is pitch-perfect as the prissy and put-upon Percival, whose wife (played by Hattie Jacques) is a formidable presence.
The supporting cast is equally strong, with Joan Sims, Terry Scott, and Jacki Piper all delivering memorable performances. Sims, in particular, shines as the lovelorn Marlene, whose attempts to find a man always seem to end in embarrassment. Piper, meanwhile, oozes sex appeal as the seemingly innocent Delia, who turns out to be a femme fatale in disguise.
One of the highlights of the film is the scene in which Humphrey attempts to woo a potential client by using long words he barely understands. It's a classic example of the Carry On style of humour, which takes a simple idea and stretches it to breaking point. Other memorable moments include Percival's attempts to escape from his overbearing wife, and the hilarious game of "musical beds" played by the cast at a seaside hotel.
As with all Carry On films, Carry On Loving is not for everyone. Its humour is often crude, and its treatment of women and minorities can be insensitive by modern standards. However, for fans of the series, it is a classic example of the British comedy films that dominated the box office in the 1960s and 1970s.
Overall, Carry On Loving is a fun, raunchy, and very British comedy that will appeal to fans of the Carry On series and lovers of classic British humour. Its cast of colourful characters, snappy dialogue, and clever set-pieces make it a film that is well worth seeking out. So if you're in the mood for a laugh, join Sidney James, Kenneth Williams, and Charles Hawtrey for some Carry On fun.