Carry On Behind ** (1975, Kenneth Williams, Elke Sommer, Kenneth Connor, Jack Douglas, Joan Sims, Bernard Bresslaw, Liz Fraser, Peter Butterworth, Patsy Rowlands) – Classic Movie Review 2378

Director Gerald Thomas’s 1975 Carry On film Carry On Behind is the 27th in the series and stars Elke Sommer in her only appearance in a Carry On as a Russian archaeologist called Professor Anna Vooshka. While wrestling amusingly with her English, the European sexpot surprisingly makes an ideal foil for Kenneth Williams’s pompous Professor Roland Crump. The game actress proves a good casting choice.

Alas, though, many of the regulars are absent, with no Sidney James, who was busy touring in a play, Hattie Jacques, Barbara Windsor, Terry Scott or Charles Hawtrey. But there are still enough series stalwarts to make it worthwhile: Joan Sims, Bernard Bresslaw (in his 14th and final Carry On appearance), Jack Douglas, Windsor Davies (in the first of two entries), Kenneth Connor, Liz Fraser (as Sylvia Ramsden, in her fourth and final Carry On appearance), Peter Butterworth and Patsy Rowlands (in her ninth appearance). Sims plays Rowlands’s mother, despite being only eight months older.

Supporting roles are played by Sherrie Hewson, Carol Hawkins, Ian Lavender, Adrienne Posta, Sherrie Hewson, George Layton, Larry Dann, Larry Martyn, Donald Hewlett, David Lodge, Hugh Futcher, Linda Hooks, Marianne Stone, Brian Osborne, Georgina Moon, Diana Darvey, Jenny Cox, Kenneth Waller, Billy Cornelius, Melita Manger, Helli Louise, Jeremy Connor, Alexandra Dane, and Patricia Franklin, with Sam Kelly as Projectionist (uncredited) and Johnny Briggs as Plasterer (uncredited).

George Layton, playing the Doctor, worked only a day on the film.

It is the first not to be scripted by Talbot Rothwell since Carry On Cruising 13 years previously as his health prevented him from writing. Dave Freeman replaces Rothwell as scriptwriter, but the level of doubles entendres is well up to the mark, even if his script is on the thin and weak side, with not too much in the way of a story and not enough funny gags. As befits the title, behinds are regularly bared – even Williams’s embarrassment isn’t spared.

Fred Ramsden (Windsor Davies) and Ernie Bragg (Jack Douglas) head off for a fishing trip. At the caravan camp site of lascivious owner Major Leafe (Kenneth Connor), Fred starts making eyes at gorgeous campers Carol (Sherrie Hewson) and Sandra (Carol Hawkins). Professor Roland Crump (Kenneth Williams) teams with Roman expert Professor Anna Vooshka (Elke Sommer) in an archaeological dig from the old cesspit at the site. Arthur Upmore (Bernard Bresslaw) and his wife Linda (Patsy Rowlands) are saddled with her mother Daphne (Joan Sims) and her vulgar mynah bird (voice of director Gerald Thomas).

With all the comedy talent, four performers stand out. Williams and Sommer work very well together in an amusing, unexpected double act, while Connor and Butterworth as odd job man Henry Barnes are also very funny.

It is the 21st and penultimate Carry On score of composer Eric Rogers (25 September 1921 – 8 April 1981). His final Carry On score was for Carry On Emmanuelle in 1978.

Although the setting is a summer caravan holiday, chilly spring filming means the bare trees, muddy fields and icy breath are all visible. The campsite was filmed at Pinewood Studios.

Carry On Behind is shot at Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, as well as on locations in Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. Bresslaw and Sims were also filming Disney’s One of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing at Pinewood Studios at the time.

Elke Sommer (born 5 November 1940 in Berlin) was paid £30,000, the highest ever Carry On salary, along with Phil Silvers for Carry On Follow That Camel. Essential series star Kenneth Williams only got a sixth of her pay, £5,000.

Johnny Briggs in HMS Defiant (1962).

RIP acting stalwart and soap legend Johnny Briggs, who died on 28 February 2021 aged 85. He played Mike Baldwin for 30 years in Coronation Street (1976–2006) and also appeared in many films, starting as a child actor, including three Carry Ons – Carry On Up the Khyber, Carry On Behind and Carry On England.

© Derek Winnert 2015 Classic Movie Review 2378

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com

Kenneth Connor plays lascivious caravan camp site owner Major Leafe.