Carry On Christmas Specials
Carry On Christmas Specials
Carry on Christmas (1969)
Description
The first special, Carry On Christmas, was broadcast in 1969. It was filmed shortly after the completion of Carry on Up the Jungle and featured the same main cast from that film. It was scripted by long-term Carry On author Talbot Rothwell. The story was an irreverent take on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, featuring Sid James as Scrooge.
Cast
| Starring | Roles |
|---|---|
| Sid James | Ebenezer Scrooge |
| Terry Scott | Dr Frank N Stein, Convent Girl, Mr Barrett, Baggie |
| Charles Hawtrey | Spirit of Christmas Past, Angel, Convent Girl, Buttons |
| Hattie Jacques | Elizabeth Barrett, Nun, Passer-by |
| Barbara Windsor | Cinderella, Fanny, Spirit of Christmas Present |
| Peter Butterworth | Dracula, Beggar, Convent Girl, Haggie |
| Bernard Bresslaw | Bob Cratchit, Frankenstein's Monster, Spirit of Christmas Future, Convent Girl, Town Crier, Policeman |
| Frankie Howard | Robert Browning, Fairy Godmother |
Carry on Again Christmas (1970)
Description
The second special, Carry On Again Christmas, was shown the following year. Rothwell did not script this episode, but Sid Colin, who had co-written Carry On Spying with Rothwell, wrote the episode with Dave Freeman, who would go on to script Carry On Behind, several episodes of the Carry On Laughing television series, and the 1992 film, Carry On Columbus. Based on the Robert Louis Stephenson story Treasure Island, this episode saw the Carry on debut of Wendy Richard, who would go on to have small roles in Carry On Matron and Carry On Girls.Although the 1969 special was broadcast in colour, the 1970 special was shown in black and white due to a technicians' strikes that caused Thames television to broadcast all their Christmas shows that year in black and white.
Cast
| Starring | Roles |
|---|---|
| Sid James | Long John Silver |
| Terry Scott | Squire Treyhornay |
| Charles Hawtrey | Old Blind Pew, Night Watchman, Nipper the Flipper |
| Kenneth Connor | Dr Livershake |
| Barbara Windsor | Jim Hawkins |
| Bernard Bresslaw | Rollicky Bill |
| Bob Todd | Ben Gunn, Ship Mate |
| Wendy Richard | Kate |
Carry on Christmas (or Carry On Stuffing) (1972)
Description
In 1972 a new Christmas special was produced, entitled Carry On Christmas (or Carry On Stuffing). Two unforeseen problems meant that many fans consider this the weakest Christmas special. Firstly, Talbot Rothwell became ill whilst writing the script, and was unable to finish it. Dave Freeman had to be brought in to complete the script, but the two men did not work together. As a result, the script does not flow as easily as the earlier offerings. Secondly, and perhaps most crucially, Charles Hawtrey pulled out of the special at short notice. Having taken third billing to Sid James and Terry Scott in the previous two shows, and knowing they would both be absent, Hawtrey demanded top billing. But Carry On producer Peter Rogers refused, giving top billing to Hattie Jacques instead. Hawtrey's role had to be hastily recast, and was split between Norman Rossington and Brian Oulton, both of whom had played cameo roles in several Carry On films. The special featured a collection of historical sketches, loosely linked around an 18th century banquet.
Cast
| Starring | Roles |
|---|---|
| Hattie Jacques | Miss Molly Coddle, Lady Vera, Harriet, The Good Fairy |
| Joan Sims | Lady Clodhopper, Mother, Esmeralda, Princess YoYo |
| Barbara Windsor | Eve, Virginia, Maid, Aladdin |
| Kenneth Connor | Sir Henry, Lieutenant Banghem, Hanky Poo |
| Peter Butterworth | Sir Francis Fiddler, Captain Dripping, Lieutenant Trembler, Hole in One |
| Jack Douglas | Mr Perkin, Adam, Tomkins, Ringworm, King of the Underworld |
| Norman Rossington | General Sir Ffingham Clodhopper, Genie |
| Brian Oulton | Oriental Orator |
| Billy Cornelius | Waiter |
| Valerie Leon | Serving Wench |
| Valerie Stanton | Demon King's Vision |
Carry on Christmas (1973)
Description
1973 saw the final original Christmas special, Carry On Christmas. Talbot Rothwell made a return as writer, as did Sid James. This was the only special to have a modern-day setting, featuring Sid James as a department store Father Christmas, although it did feature historical sketches.Cast
| Starring | Roles |
|---|---|
| Sid James | Sid Belcher (Santa), Seedpod, Sir Henry, Sergeant Ball, Robin Hood |
| Joan Sims | Mother, Sennapod, Bishop's Wife, Adelle, Salvation Army Woman, Maid Marion, Traffic Warden |
| Barbara Windsor | Virginia, Crompet, Lady Frances, Fifi, Lady Frances |
| Kenneth Connor | Shop Manager, Anthropod, The Bishop, Private Parkin, Will Scarlet |
| Peter Butterworth | Carol Singer (2001 BC), Old Man, Darts Player, 2nd German Soldier, Friar Tuck |
| Bernard Bresslaw | Peapod, Camp Aristocrat, Darts Player, Captain Ffingburgh, Much, Policeman |
| Jack Douglas | Carol Singer (2001 BC), Crapper, 1st German Soldier, Ballad Singer |
| Julian Holloway | Captain Rose |
| Laraine Humphreys | Bed Customer |
Carry on Laughing's Christmas Classics (1983)
It would be ten years before the next Christmas special. Carry On Laughing's Christmas Classics saw Kenneth Williams and Barbara Windsor introduce some of the funniest moments from the later Carry On films, in a format very similar to the film That's Carry On. Although people would see this as a fifth special, as it is a compilation of film clips from the "carry on" films, it is not officially counted as a Christmas special.DVD release
In 2005, all four specials were released on DVD, featuring special interviews with producer Peter Rogers and stars Jack Douglas and Wendy Richard.External links
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Last updated on Sunday September 07, 2008 at 11:23:05 PDT (GMT -0700)
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