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Carry On Regardless: Getting to the Bottom of Britain's Favourite Comedy Films
The completely updated story of Carry On, Britain's largest film franchise, all the way from the gentle capers of the 1950s, through the raucous golden age of the 1960s, to its struggles in the decades (not plural) that followed.
We take a happy walk down memory lane to enjoy again Sid James's cheeky chuckle, Kenneth Williams' elongated vowels, Charles Hawtrey's bespectacled bashfulness and Barbara Windsor's naughty wiggle.
It all seemed effortless, but exclusive interviews with the series' remaining stars including Bernard Cribbins, Angela Douglas and Kenneth Cope shed new light on just how much talent and hard work went into creating the laughs. For the first time, the loved ones of some of the franchise’s biggest names - on and off screen - share their personal memories from this unique era.
Was Carry On really as sexist, racist and bigoted as critics claim? Three of the films' female stars explain why they never felt remotely exploited, plus we take a fresh look at some of the series' biggest titles and discover that, in reality, they were far more progressive than their detractors would have you believe.
Finally, with constant talk about new films, fresh productions and tantalising speculation about a brand new era of Carry On, we ask - does this unique series still have legs?
We take a happy walk down memory lane to enjoy again Sid James's cheeky chuckle, Kenneth Williams' elongated vowels, Charles Hawtrey's bespectacled bashfulness and Barbara Windsor's naughty wiggle.
It all seemed effortless, but exclusive interviews with the series' remaining stars including Bernard Cribbins, Angela Douglas and Kenneth Cope shed new light on just how much talent and hard work went into creating the laughs. For the first time, the loved ones of some of the franchise’s biggest names - on and off screen - share their personal memories from this unique era.
Was Carry On really as sexist, racist and bigoted as critics claim? Three of the films' female stars explain why they never felt remotely exploited, plus we take a fresh look at some of the series' biggest titles and discover that, in reality, they were far more progressive than their detractors would have you believe.
Finally, with constant talk about new films, fresh productions and tantalising speculation about a brand new era of Carry On, we ask - does this unique series still have legs?
- GenresFilm
248 pages, Hardcover
Published April 30, 2022
1 person is currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 20, 2022
Interesting and detailed
Everyone knows the ‘Carry On’s’ most of us loved/still love them and even if we don’t watch the whole thing we linger for 5 mins or so as while flicking through channels we see one appear, classic comedy moments and actors from a very different time, images and jokes that stay with us forever, oh they weren’t perfect, we know that but they made a lot of people happy for a long time and continue to do so, seemingly able to bypass the comedy PC revolution and ‘carry on regardless’
This book is fascinating, all films and big players talked about, from the inception to the ‘golden years’ to the last few ‘unfortunate’ films, everything you want/need to know is here and told in a warm, frank way
It made me want to go to Pinewood to look at the places these films were made in ( some still used to this day ) and you could feel the camaraderie that existed between the actors, it must have been great fun to be a part of
The author also writes about aspects such as actors pay, the treatment of women in the films and the PC world of humour now and how these films would fare now
A fascinating documentation of a comedy era long gone but still with us, very enjoyable read
10/10
5 Stars
Everyone knows the ‘Carry On’s’ most of us loved/still love them and even if we don’t watch the whole thing we linger for 5 mins or so as while flicking through channels we see one appear, classic comedy moments and actors from a very different time, images and jokes that stay with us forever, oh they weren’t perfect, we know that but they made a lot of people happy for a long time and continue to do so, seemingly able to bypass the comedy PC revolution and ‘carry on regardless’
This book is fascinating, all films and big players talked about, from the inception to the ‘golden years’ to the last few ‘unfortunate’ films, everything you want/need to know is here and told in a warm, frank way
It made me want to go to Pinewood to look at the places these films were made in ( some still used to this day ) and you could feel the camaraderie that existed between the actors, it must have been great fun to be a part of
The author also writes about aspects such as actors pay, the treatment of women in the films and the PC world of humour now and how these films would fare now
A fascinating documentation of a comedy era long gone but still with us, very enjoyable read
10/10
5 Stars
April 30, 2022
thanks to the publisher and netgalley for a free copy in return for open and honest review
Detailed book looking at the carry on series of films it is very informative about the origins of the idea and through the years of the different films and some chapters highlight some of the stars of the film and their backgrounds and how they ended up in the films.
Detailed book looking at the carry on series of films it is very informative about the origins of the idea and through the years of the different films and some chapters highlight some of the stars of the film and their backgrounds and how they ended up in the films.
June 11, 2022
I love the carry on movies so was really happy when I got this from my wish list. It is really interesting read and you can tell Caroline Frost has done lot of research on the carry on cast and writers. For me I was more interested in reading about the cast of the carry on and wanted to found out more about them and how they started at Pine studios. If you like carry on films you will enjoy this carry on regardless and you find out more about the writers to. It was really nice to see pictures of them all in set and on the films. Thank you NetGalley for letting me reading this book.
March 30, 2023
I've been after a contemporary analysis of the Carry On films for a while and while this is good, I think there's still a need for something a bit more rigorous. But this is good on the history of the films and celebrating the talent and hard work then went into churning out these films that, like it or not, were very popular and linger in our minds.
June 12, 2022
Frost has created a blanket over view of the 'Carry On' series that reveals little and gets very repetitive. If one is very familiar with the series, there's really little new here. The book isn't far beyond the 'trivia' in an IMDB column. Those more lightly familiar can gleam a bit from the writing. Thing is, there is too much of a re-cap of the films. Rule of thumb is, when writing about something else, write something else.
Most of the rest, outside the biographies of the main troupe, are happy quotes that shed little light of the lot of films. Sadly, instead of enlightened tidbits sprinkled throughout, there are very few. Not helping this review is my recent reading 'Born to be Hanged', via NetGalley, of the Sharp pirate gang and their adventures in the Caribbean in the late 1600s. I am floored by how fascinating the entire story was as all sorts of wonderful trivial bits and pieces are spread throughout, that has one react, "I didn't know that!". Why did I barely learn more of the production of the 'Carry on' set of films? Why so many overly repetitive happy quotes? After a couple chapters, i was well aware how much all in the production had a good time. Cutting much of that and plunging into revelations unknown at this time of the 'Carry On' series would've been a better road to take.
The handful of biographies Frost includes are also lightly handled with more revealed than in the film making. Still, there is a great effort by Frost to hold back. I wonder why? I don't want to read a tell all book, but was hoping for something far more revelatory than this volume.
Y'see, I had never watched a 'Carry On' film less than a year ago. That had me curious and occasionally reading articles of Peter Rogers, Gerald Thomas, writers and the stars. Even ran a few of the video biographies of the stars. As one who has studied humor writing for most of my life, I'd always shied from the bawdy 'Carry On' series. Not much for bawdy. So, I leapt into the 'Carry On' series last year - late as it is.
Seeing this book available on NetGalley, I leapt into it, too! Hoping to learn more of the machinations of producing the 'Carry On' series and all involved. I'm disappointed in the book and hope for something more thorough in the future.
I wonder if the trouble was the author being too close to those connected to the film and a wariness of upsetting any of them?
I really like the defense Frost writes of the P.C. nonsense complaints of the films. This she does a fine job writing. Her points are excellent and refreshing. What she writes applies to all produced creative endeavors created prior to the newly repressive views of recent years. Hopefully, enlightenment is near and we creatives can get back to better work again!
I'd suggest Frost write a book of this current plague on creativity. She'll just have to take an aggressive stance, though.
Again, if one comes into this book with little knowledge of the 'Carry On' series, then carry on with the book. Otherwise...
Bottom line: I don't recommend the book. 5 out of ten points.
Most of the rest, outside the biographies of the main troupe, are happy quotes that shed little light of the lot of films. Sadly, instead of enlightened tidbits sprinkled throughout, there are very few. Not helping this review is my recent reading 'Born to be Hanged', via NetGalley, of the Sharp pirate gang and their adventures in the Caribbean in the late 1600s. I am floored by how fascinating the entire story was as all sorts of wonderful trivial bits and pieces are spread throughout, that has one react, "I didn't know that!". Why did I barely learn more of the production of the 'Carry on' set of films? Why so many overly repetitive happy quotes? After a couple chapters, i was well aware how much all in the production had a good time. Cutting much of that and plunging into revelations unknown at this time of the 'Carry On' series would've been a better road to take.
The handful of biographies Frost includes are also lightly handled with more revealed than in the film making. Still, there is a great effort by Frost to hold back. I wonder why? I don't want to read a tell all book, but was hoping for something far more revelatory than this volume.
Y'see, I had never watched a 'Carry On' film less than a year ago. That had me curious and occasionally reading articles of Peter Rogers, Gerald Thomas, writers and the stars. Even ran a few of the video biographies of the stars. As one who has studied humor writing for most of my life, I'd always shied from the bawdy 'Carry On' series. Not much for bawdy. So, I leapt into the 'Carry On' series last year - late as it is.
Seeing this book available on NetGalley, I leapt into it, too! Hoping to learn more of the machinations of producing the 'Carry On' series and all involved. I'm disappointed in the book and hope for something more thorough in the future.
I wonder if the trouble was the author being too close to those connected to the film and a wariness of upsetting any of them?
I really like the defense Frost writes of the P.C. nonsense complaints of the films. This she does a fine job writing. Her points are excellent and refreshing. What she writes applies to all produced creative endeavors created prior to the newly repressive views of recent years. Hopefully, enlightenment is near and we creatives can get back to better work again!
I'd suggest Frost write a book of this current plague on creativity. She'll just have to take an aggressive stance, though.
Again, if one comes into this book with little knowledge of the 'Carry On' series, then carry on with the book. Otherwise...
Bottom line: I don't recommend the book. 5 out of ten points.
May 16, 2022
Carry On Regardless by Caroline Frost is a well-structured analysis of all 31 Carry On films. The chapters either deal with a group of films, grouped chronologically, or focus upon an individual actor. Charles Hawtrey, Kenneth Williams, Sid James, Joan Sims, Hattie Jacques, Jim Dale and Barbara Windsor each get a chapter to themselves. Those short biographies of the seven stars are nicely written but I wish they’d been longer.
The author acknowledges that the films don’t conform to modern expectations: they are politically incorrect and cliché-ridden. However, Frost is determined to refute the claim that they portray women in a poor light. She writes “[…] all the female actresses I’ve spoken to who participated in the Carry On films have only good things to say about their time on set” and Gerald Thomas’s daughter affirms he “loved and respected women.” I think Frost is conflating two things here: the treatment of the actresses and the portrayal of female characters. Think of any film, e.g. Harry Potter or the James Bond series. Some characters are heroes (hurray!) and some are villains (boo!). No one is suggesting that Tom Felton was treated any less respectfully on set than Daniel Radcliffe, nor that he was at all inferior as an actor, but he still played a horrible person. Is it not possible that Babrbara Windsor, Joan Sims and others were given their due on set as great stars but that the characters they played (very well) were (to use Frost’s words) “dreamy sexpots or grim-faced battleaxes”? Yes, the female characters sometimes displayed more intelligence than the men, e.g. Carry On Cabby, but that was the exception.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book: it brought back many happy memories of my teens and earlier – and I would happily watch many of the films again. They are historic documents that show us Britain in the fifties, sixties and seventies: the fashions, the cars, the slang. However, I would now watch them with a modern perspective, recognising that we humans have matured and the attitudes displayed in the films are no longer acceptable. It’s like watching a silent movie like Battleship Potemkin: we can still appreciate it as a great achievement for the time it was made, but we wouldn’t do it like that now.
#CarryOnRegardless #NetGalley
The author acknowledges that the films don’t conform to modern expectations: they are politically incorrect and cliché-ridden. However, Frost is determined to refute the claim that they portray women in a poor light. She writes “[…] all the female actresses I’ve spoken to who participated in the Carry On films have only good things to say about their time on set” and Gerald Thomas’s daughter affirms he “loved and respected women.” I think Frost is conflating two things here: the treatment of the actresses and the portrayal of female characters. Think of any film, e.g. Harry Potter or the James Bond series. Some characters are heroes (hurray!) and some are villains (boo!). No one is suggesting that Tom Felton was treated any less respectfully on set than Daniel Radcliffe, nor that he was at all inferior as an actor, but he still played a horrible person. Is it not possible that Babrbara Windsor, Joan Sims and others were given their due on set as great stars but that the characters they played (very well) were (to use Frost’s words) “dreamy sexpots or grim-faced battleaxes”? Yes, the female characters sometimes displayed more intelligence than the men, e.g. Carry On Cabby, but that was the exception.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book: it brought back many happy memories of my teens and earlier – and I would happily watch many of the films again. They are historic documents that show us Britain in the fifties, sixties and seventies: the fashions, the cars, the slang. However, I would now watch them with a modern perspective, recognising that we humans have matured and the attitudes displayed in the films are no longer acceptable. It’s like watching a silent movie like Battleship Potemkin: we can still appreciate it as a great achievement for the time it was made, but we wouldn’t do it like that now.
#CarryOnRegardless #NetGalley
April 13, 2022
I have very dear memories of “carry on” movie series, I was born in 1981, only watched the movies on the 90’s but this was the kind of humor that defined, what was funny for me, if you think about it, all comedies that were made in the 90’s almost seemed inspired in carry on movies, being sexy without being vulgar, even monty python took a great deal of inspiration in the carry on movies, this was when being funny was what people wanted from a comedy, not being political correct… women in carry on movies weren’t dumb pretty accessories, yes it could look like that, but in almost all the movies (the ones I saw, haven't watched all T_T) women are cunning and in many aspects they’re clever than men and use their wits to go on and about hahah, I remember watching “Carry On Spying” and the women were quite superior in all senses XD clever, brave, and even masterminds.
This book was written by a fan, someone that researched very carefully about this actors and actresses, and I am surprised and saddened by the fate of almost all T_T one would think they were so well know, that they would be rich, but no, and that is only a little bit of the problem… they were also repressed and forced to do all over again the same parts and the same things, yes it was great to be around friends, just like a family, but it would be great to be a little more appreciated… it was a kind of slavery, and I am happy and sad that I read this book, that I got to know so much more about all of this carry on family. I just wish I could have meet them all in person, not only through a screen.
I highly recommend this book in all instances, for people that know the movies, for people that don’t know the movies, but really want to know about people that were really brave and wanted to make others laugh, even today, more than 60 years from the first carry on movie, I know you’ll laugh out loud.
I really thank the opportunity that I was given by NetGalley to read this ARC, this is my honest review.
This book was written by a fan, someone that researched very carefully about this actors and actresses, and I am surprised and saddened by the fate of almost all T_T one would think they were so well know, that they would be rich, but no, and that is only a little bit of the problem… they were also repressed and forced to do all over again the same parts and the same things, yes it was great to be around friends, just like a family, but it would be great to be a little more appreciated… it was a kind of slavery, and I am happy and sad that I read this book, that I got to know so much more about all of this carry on family. I just wish I could have meet them all in person, not only through a screen.
I highly recommend this book in all instances, for people that know the movies, for people that don’t know the movies, but really want to know about people that were really brave and wanted to make others laugh, even today, more than 60 years from the first carry on movie, I know you’ll laugh out loud.
I really thank the opportunity that I was given by NetGalley to read this ARC, this is my honest review.
April 17, 2022
“I was once a weak man”.
“Well, once a week’s enough for any man”.
This and many other pearls of wisdom are to be found in the evergreen National Treasure that is the Carry On films. A phenomenally successful legend of British cinema, now a mainstay of Bank Holiday telly, no entendre was ever knowingly left undoubled by the likes of Sid James, Barbara Windsor and Kenneth Williams. Many books have been written on them, but there’s always room for one more especially when they’re as good as Caroline Frost’s “Carry On Regardless”. (It takes its title from the fifth Carry On, which features Kenneth Williams taking a chimpanzee for a walk and attempting to hail a taxi only to be told by the driver -“I'll take you, but not your brother!”)
Frost takes a deep dive into the history of the Carry Ons from their genesis and early days in the late ‘50s, through its heyday in the ‘60s and it’s slow demise in the ‘70s, a decade which was certainly not the franchise’s golden age. She also examines the not-so-successful relaunch film “Carry On Columbus” and the many recent attempts to revive the series. Personally, I don’t think this should happen as a modern version could never match the sheer innocent fun of the originals.
The Carry Ons rarely get any kind of serious appraisal as the general consensus has always been that they were and are very lightweight, offensive rubbish, guilty of every “ism” under the sun, that belongs in the unenlightened past and which have no place in the “woke” future. However, Caroline Frost discovers that the films were far more progressive than they are given credit for.
There are many contemporary photographs and interviews with surviving cast members who offer a firsthand insight into what it was really like on the set of a Carry On. Part academic critique, part nostalgia-trip, this is a scholarly yet fun book, highly recommended.
“Well, once a week’s enough for any man”.
This and many other pearls of wisdom are to be found in the evergreen National Treasure that is the Carry On films. A phenomenally successful legend of British cinema, now a mainstay of Bank Holiday telly, no entendre was ever knowingly left undoubled by the likes of Sid James, Barbara Windsor and Kenneth Williams. Many books have been written on them, but there’s always room for one more especially when they’re as good as Caroline Frost’s “Carry On Regardless”. (It takes its title from the fifth Carry On, which features Kenneth Williams taking a chimpanzee for a walk and attempting to hail a taxi only to be told by the driver -“I'll take you, but not your brother!”)
Frost takes a deep dive into the history of the Carry Ons from their genesis and early days in the late ‘50s, through its heyday in the ‘60s and it’s slow demise in the ‘70s, a decade which was certainly not the franchise’s golden age. She also examines the not-so-successful relaunch film “Carry On Columbus” and the many recent attempts to revive the series. Personally, I don’t think this should happen as a modern version could never match the sheer innocent fun of the originals.
The Carry Ons rarely get any kind of serious appraisal as the general consensus has always been that they were and are very lightweight, offensive rubbish, guilty of every “ism” under the sun, that belongs in the unenlightened past and which have no place in the “woke” future. However, Caroline Frost discovers that the films were far more progressive than they are given credit for.
There are many contemporary photographs and interviews with surviving cast members who offer a firsthand insight into what it was really like on the set of a Carry On. Part academic critique, part nostalgia-trip, this is a scholarly yet fun book, highly recommended.
June 26, 2022
I love the Carry on film franchise, so this was the perfect book for me. It’s not so much filled with facts, figures and trivia, although there are lots of all of these, but a comprehensive look at the franchise as a whole. It begins right back where it started and goes right through to present day. It doesn’t however deal with each film individually, but groups them together in chapters which are interspersed with actor spotlights on some of the main actors and actresses that we know so well.
The chapters were really interesting, and I was presented with some information that I hadn’t heard before. As I read, I could picture the different films or actors and could hear the quotes being spoken. The actor spotlights were also interesting, but I did find that there was some duplication from these spotlight sections into the main chapters and vice versa. I’m sure I also spotted a couple of little mistakes of the wrong film title when talking about a scene! My opinions on what the best Carry On film was differed hugely from the author who seemed to pick films that I would end up at the bottom end of my list! Everyone has their personal opinion though, but I did find that lot of book time was devoted to the earlier films and not enough to the some of the classic golden era Carry On films which surely must be the most popular and well known – Carry on At Your Convenience, Henry and Girls only had brief mentions yet huge sections devoted to Carry on Spying, Cowboy and Jack!
All in all, this was a great look back on one of the most well-known and well-loved series of films ever! I’ve watched them all so many times and could probably recite them in my sleep, but it was lovely to hear some of the stories from behind the scenes. I did thoroughly enjoy reading this book and it brought back many happy memories of my childhood (and adult years!) of films which I can and have watched over and over again! Can I say what my favourite Carry on films are of all time...probably not as there are just too many to choose from. I think I can safely add Carry on Nurse, Cruising, Cleo, Camping, Abroad and of course, Doctor Again (thanks to the great Jim Dale) right to the very top of the list! I was surprised at the idea that a new Carry on may be on the cards…did they learn nothing from Columbus?!! Hopefully, we can be left with the love and laughs from the 31 films already made! This book would be a great read for any Carry on fan – would recommend!
The chapters were really interesting, and I was presented with some information that I hadn’t heard before. As I read, I could picture the different films or actors and could hear the quotes being spoken. The actor spotlights were also interesting, but I did find that there was some duplication from these spotlight sections into the main chapters and vice versa. I’m sure I also spotted a couple of little mistakes of the wrong film title when talking about a scene! My opinions on what the best Carry On film was differed hugely from the author who seemed to pick films that I would end up at the bottom end of my list! Everyone has their personal opinion though, but I did find that lot of book time was devoted to the earlier films and not enough to the some of the classic golden era Carry On films which surely must be the most popular and well known – Carry on At Your Convenience, Henry and Girls only had brief mentions yet huge sections devoted to Carry on Spying, Cowboy and Jack!
All in all, this was a great look back on one of the most well-known and well-loved series of films ever! I’ve watched them all so many times and could probably recite them in my sleep, but it was lovely to hear some of the stories from behind the scenes. I did thoroughly enjoy reading this book and it brought back many happy memories of my childhood (and adult years!) of films which I can and have watched over and over again! Can I say what my favourite Carry on films are of all time...probably not as there are just too many to choose from. I think I can safely add Carry on Nurse, Cruising, Cleo, Camping, Abroad and of course, Doctor Again (thanks to the great Jim Dale) right to the very top of the list! I was surprised at the idea that a new Carry on may be on the cards…did they learn nothing from Columbus?!! Hopefully, we can be left with the love and laughs from the 31 films already made! This book would be a great read for any Carry on fan – would recommend!
April 15, 2022
Oh WoW......Wishes do come true!!!! The publisher has granted your wish!
I was so excited to read this book when I saw this book! Carry On Regardless by Caroline Frost.
Now who doesn't love a Carry on film. I love them and was a great part of my childhood life; sitting with my mum, grandad and sisters all around our black n white television, all laughing at so many great scenes especially the Barbra Windsor scene with her boob flash! etc and now adult life sitting on a cold winters day watching them snuggled under a blanket. They never seem to age - not like me!!!!
This book was Brilliant from start to finish. It was full of history, stories about the carry on films, the characters, etc
However, this book was let down by the lack photo's of the film scene's or characters etc. This books should of been illustrated and it would of bought this book a life (only a few), Especially if you are sharing priceless time with your mum, grandad, nan etc as their memory may not be as good now...........It would be a great book to go down memory lane with them as well. I did read a lot of this book to my mum who loved it, so I was glad I had the internet open for pictures to remind her what I was reading about.
I recommend this book and a great present for a Carry on film fan.
Big thank you to Netgalley, and Pen & Sword the publisher to read this ARC, this is my honest review. Plus, granting my wish........Precious time with my Mum. Thank you x
I was so excited to read this book when I saw this book! Carry On Regardless by Caroline Frost.
Now who doesn't love a Carry on film. I love them and was a great part of my childhood life; sitting with my mum, grandad and sisters all around our black n white television, all laughing at so many great scenes especially the Barbra Windsor scene with her boob flash! etc and now adult life sitting on a cold winters day watching them snuggled under a blanket. They never seem to age - not like me!!!!
This book was Brilliant from start to finish. It was full of history, stories about the carry on films, the characters, etc
However, this book was let down by the lack photo's of the film scene's or characters etc. This books should of been illustrated and it would of bought this book a life (only a few), Especially if you are sharing priceless time with your mum, grandad, nan etc as their memory may not be as good now...........It would be a great book to go down memory lane with them as well. I did read a lot of this book to my mum who loved it, so I was glad I had the internet open for pictures to remind her what I was reading about.
I recommend this book and a great present for a Carry on film fan.
Big thank you to Netgalley, and Pen & Sword the publisher to read this ARC, this is my honest review. Plus, granting my wish........Precious time with my Mum. Thank you x
May 13, 2022
Firstly, I'm a huge fan of the Carry On films and their actors. I never tire of the bawdy not-politically-correct humor, filled with risque elements, double entendre comments, and saucy seaside postcard gags. A British institution for many years, still watched by generation after generation for its raw, sometimes slapstick but always funny humor.
As the book relates, it was a very different world sixty years ago when the first film arrived in our cinemas. The space race had begun as Sputnik 1 fell to earth and Elvis Presley joined the Army.
The book delves into the personal lives beyond the public and theatrical personas of the actors. Sometimes sad and sometimes happy but always interesting.
It is a beautiful tribute to post-war comedy cinema, well researched and written. Making it a joy to read for anyone interested in this series of comedic adventures.
In many ways, this is quite a sad tale as many of the actors who provided their audiences with so many laughs were quite sad and lonely in their personal lives. Definitely a recommended read.
Thanks to #NetGalley, #PenandSwordBooks, and #CarolineFrost for this free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
As the book relates, it was a very different world sixty years ago when the first film arrived in our cinemas. The space race had begun as Sputnik 1 fell to earth and Elvis Presley joined the Army.
The book delves into the personal lives beyond the public and theatrical personas of the actors. Sometimes sad and sometimes happy but always interesting.
It is a beautiful tribute to post-war comedy cinema, well researched and written. Making it a joy to read for anyone interested in this series of comedic adventures.
In many ways, this is quite a sad tale as many of the actors who provided their audiences with so many laughs were quite sad and lonely in their personal lives. Definitely a recommended read.
Thanks to #NetGalley, #PenandSwordBooks, and #CarolineFrost for this free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 15, 2025
Library Book
The author has produced a tired, hackneyed and threadbare telling of the genesis and history of the Carry On Film franchise.
The quality of the writing is awful “Terry Scott( who was even having to cycle while suffering from piles,poor man)”
We read time and again from the those that acted in the films how “ we were a tremendous team and all great buddies”,this would have been fine alongside some more incisive information about the personalities of the stars rather than the same careworn cliches that have been produced many times before in the press etc
Facts about the franchise are trotted out in a repetitious ,humdrum manner and the writer’s use of rent a quote cultural commentators such as Matthew Sweet and Toby Jones only adds to the misery of reading this book.
The author has produced a tired, hackneyed and threadbare telling of the genesis and history of the Carry On Film franchise.
The quality of the writing is awful “Terry Scott( who was even having to cycle while suffering from piles,poor man)”
We read time and again from the those that acted in the films how “ we were a tremendous team and all great buddies”,this would have been fine alongside some more incisive information about the personalities of the stars rather than the same careworn cliches that have been produced many times before in the press etc
Facts about the franchise are trotted out in a repetitious ,humdrum manner and the writer’s use of rent a quote cultural commentators such as Matthew Sweet and Toby Jones only adds to the misery of reading this book.
May 2, 2022
Love them or hate them the Carry On films, like Hammer horror, the James Bond films, and the Harry Potter franchise, form a huge chunk of British film and cultural history. Many of the stars of the films may be dead, but the films themselves are immortal.
Caroline Frost's splendid book reads like a labour of love, perhaps rightly so, as the films were in many ways labours of love. It isn't about facts and figures, it's an insight into all that went into creating Carry On, the triumphs and the tears, the pain and the glory.
I knew Peter Rogers and Betty E. Box for many years. I'm sure they would approve and open a bottle of champagne to celebrate Caroline's book. Cheers Caroline!
Caroline Frost's splendid book reads like a labour of love, perhaps rightly so, as the films were in many ways labours of love. It isn't about facts and figures, it's an insight into all that went into creating Carry On, the triumphs and the tears, the pain and the glory.
I knew Peter Rogers and Betty E. Box for many years. I'm sure they would approve and open a bottle of champagne to celebrate Caroline's book. Cheers Caroline!
May 4, 2022
A must read for any Carry On film fan. Details, descriptions and photos from all the great classic films. Bringing back great memories and recollections of the comedy genius that is the Carry On franchise. Includes all your favourite Carry On actors - Sid James, Hattie Jacques, Kenneth Williams. A real feel good book.
May 6, 2022
Perfect read for anyone who has watched a Carry On.
May 16, 2022
Well researched book detailing all the films and the lives of the stars. As a big fan of the carry on films I really enjoyed this book. Bringing back great memories of great films.
June 13, 2022
Quite entertaining book about a quite entertaining series of films.
June 21, 2022
An informative and well written book makes for a entertaining and enjoyable read
January 7, 2024
A lovely celebration of the films with interesting background to the series and its stars, and some gentle engagement with the controversies over the films’ reception. A lovely Christmas present!
March 4, 2024
Like many of my generation, I grew up with the Carry On films. With endless TV repeats and even a few visits to the cinema, in each of the movies, the characters and the ensemble cast are almost like old friends.
There have been innumerable books and articles about this unique British film franchise, some of which I have read. This new book by Caroline Frost takes a gentle but honest look at the people behind the onscreen humour. While the book offers nothing new to the story and the scandals, it offers a sympathetic view of the relationships that helped make the series what it was.
Through her interviews and observations, Caroline Frost also looks beyond the larger-than-life characters at the films themselves and their role in the British film industry.
Carry On Regardless is an enlightening and entertaining look at a real British institution.
There have been innumerable books and articles about this unique British film franchise, some of which I have read. This new book by Caroline Frost takes a gentle but honest look at the people behind the onscreen humour. While the book offers nothing new to the story and the scandals, it offers a sympathetic view of the relationships that helped make the series what it was.
Through her interviews and observations, Caroline Frost also looks beyond the larger-than-life characters at the films themselves and their role in the British film industry.
Carry On Regardless is an enlightening and entertaining look at a real British institution.
April 14, 2022
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this insightful book
a big fan of the carry on movies this was an interesting read that took me back in time when you knew that there was a new carry on movie to watch
it was lovely to read about each individual cast member and what they went through filming each movie...who would have thought they had been on a tight ship and only ever filmed each movie on set...such is the glamour of a carry on star
a big fan of the carry on movies this was an interesting read that took me back in time when you knew that there was a new carry on movie to watch
it was lovely to read about each individual cast member and what they went through filming each movie...who would have thought they had been on a tight ship and only ever filmed each movie on set...such is the glamour of a carry on star
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews