Carry On Cabby *** (1963, Sidney James, Hattie Jacques, Kenneth Connor, Liz Fraser, Charles Hawtrey, Jim Dale, Esma Cannon) – Classic Movie Review 1907

Director Gerald Thomas’s 1963 comedy Carry On Cabby was planned as a non-Carry On film called Call Me a Cab, which in fact is neatly the film’s last line spoken by Sidney James as Charlie Hawkins, but, at some advanced stage of production, it became the seventh Carry On movie.

Happily, it turned out to be one of the most definitive series entries, with all of the basic ingredients and most of the regulars (including Sid James, Hattie Jacques, Kenneth Connor and Charles Hawtrey) except for Kenneth Williams, Joan Sims and Barbara Windsor, though of course they are much missed.

These were the Sixties when the time they were a’changin’, even for the Carry On folk. So there’s an early feminist plot, rather surprisingly. When workaholic owner Charlie (Sidney James) spends too much time running his Speedee Taxis, his neglected wife Peggy (Hattie Jacques) declares war, sets up rival Glam-cabs with lovely attractive women drivers and starts stealing most of his business. Did I mention that it is funny, too? This is James and Jacques on their best form in ideal parts for them.

It is the first Carry On movie for both young Jim Dale (in a small role as an expectant father) and Amanda Barrie (later the star of Carry On Cleo) in a small role as Anthea. And it is the first Carry On movie to have a screenplay by screenwriter Talbot Rothwell, who eventually wrote 20 of the 30 Carry On scripts, though the first screenplay he submitted to producer Peter Rogers was developed as the 1963 film Carry On Jack. 

But it was the last feature film of Esma Cannon (as Flo Sims). Both Bill Owen (as Smiley Sims) and Esma Cannon make their fourth and final Carry On appearances. Liz Fraser makes her third appearance and oddly her last for more than a decade.

Carry On Cabby is based on a story by Dick Hills and Sid Green, celebrated TV script writers for Morecambe and Wise, and includes a non-Carry On-style dramatic plotline of a troubled marriage along with the early feminist plot.

Kenneth Connor (as Ted Watson), Charles Hawtrey (as Terry ‘Pintpot’ Tankard), Liz Fraser (as Sally) also star. And co-starring are Bill Owen (as Smiley Sims), Milo O’Shea, Judith Furse (Battleaxe), Ambrosine Phillpotts (Aristocratic Lady), Renée Houston, Cyril Chamberlain, Peter Gilmore, Michael Ward, Carole Shelley and Peter Byrne. Happy days!

Unfortunately, Hawtrey could not drive and was given lessons by the Pinewood studio staff.

It is the first Carry On film not to feature Kenneth Williams, who turned down the role of Allbright because he alleged it was an inferior script. His part was cut down and given to Norman Chappell.

The film’s posters were sponsored by Ford Motors, which supplied the Glam-cabs (‘Britain’s newest film star – The new Consul Cortina Super – The small car with the big difference.’)

Amanda Barrie was born Shirley Anne Broadbent on 14 September 1935. She appeared in just two of the Carry On films.

Amanda Barrie came out as bisexual in her autobiography, It’s Not a Rehearsal. On 12 September 2014, she married her long-term partner, journalist and crime writer Hilary Bonner. They live together in Somerset and London.

Jim Dale MBE was born James Smith on 15 August 1935. He appeared in 11 Carry On films, up to the 1992 revival film Carry On Columbus.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 1907

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Kenneth Connor (as Ted Watson).