cast
|
Charlie Hawkins |
Sidney
James |
Peggy Hawkins |
Hattie
Jacques |
Ted Watson |
Kenneth
Connor |
Pintpot |
Charles
Hawtrey |
Flo Sims |
Esma
Cannon |
Sally |
Liz
Fraser |
Smiley Sims |
Bill
Owen |
Len |
Milo
O'Shea |
Battleaxe |
Judith
Furse |
Posh Lady |
Ambrosine
Phillpotts |
Molly |
Renee
Houston |
Jeremy |
Jim
Dale |
Anthea |
Amanda
Barrie |
Gloria |
Carole
Shelley |
Sarge |
Cyril
Chamberlain |
Allbright |
Norman
Chappell |
Dancy |
Peter
Gilmore |
Man in Tweeeds |
Michael
Ward |
District Nurse |
Noel
Dyson |
Business Man |
Michael
Nightingale |
Clerk |
Ian
Wilson |
Bridegroom |
Peter
Byrne |
Punchy |
Darryl
Kavann |
Car Salesman |
Peter
Jesson |
Tubby |
Don
MacCorkindale |
Geoff |
Charles
Stanley |
Bride |
Marion
Collins |
Chauffeur |
Frank
Forsyth |
|
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Screenplay |
Talbot Rothwell |
Producer |
Peter Rogers |
Director |
Gerald Thomas |
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plot
Speedee Taxis Limited, under its proprietor Charlie Hawkins, is a
flourishing concern plying for hire in a suburban town. It flourishes,
however, at the expense of Charlie's wife Peg, who finds herself taking a
very poor second place to the cabs. Ted Watson, the General Manager, acts
as a constant arbiter between the two, whilst maintaining a passionate
interest in Sally Green, who runs the cab-yard canteen.
Driven to the limits of her endurance when she spends her wedding
anniversary alone, Peg decides to take aggressive action. In partnership
with Flo, the wife of one of Charlie's drivers. Peg opens her own taxi
business in opposition to Speedee Taxis. But this is a cab company with a
difference. Called 'Glamcabs' Pegs organisation is operated by a team of
gorgeous girls attired in revealing uniforms. After due training all this
glamour is unleashed on the unsuspecting public. Charlie is staggered, but
has no inkling that it’s financed with all his money (since it's all in
Pegs name) and run by his wife. He and Ted promptly declare war on
Glamcabs who quickly sweep business away from under the wheels of the
stunned Speedee taxis. Warfare between to rival companies develops from
simple acts of sabotage into a full-scale feud.
When all Charlie's machinations fail, he resorts to invasion. He persuades
Ted to disguise himself as a Glamcab girl in order to infiltrate the enemy
camp.
But Glamcabs have a spy in the Speedee Taxis camp. It's Sally, who gives
Charlie's plot away to Peg, who with her girls, successfully foils the
invasion.
But it's a hollow victory for Peg, who soon discovers that Charlie's
outraged dignity at discovering that his arch enemy is his own wife is
more difficult to live with then his preoccupation with cabs. She and
Sally are not laughing all the way to the bank with the week’s takings the
day they are hi-jacked by crooks.
Peggy manages to sound the alarm through the cab radio and Charlie alerts
all cabs over his network. Arriving in the nick of time, he engineers
rescue operations with magnificent military aplomb and at the same time,
succeeds in restoring domestic bliss to the Hawkins household.
review
The best of the Black and White Carry Ons, but the first without
Kenneth Williams. Although his presence goes largely unnoticed as the cast
are all on top form and blessed with a cracker of a script by Carry On
debutant Talbot Rothwell. Whereas the previous six films had mostly dealt
with new recruits of some sort trying to impress their weary boss, this
film concentrates on the marriage between Charlie and Peggy like the strain
on the relationship caused by work commitments, whilst also dealing with
the eternal battle of the sexes. Therefore this one is grounded more in
reality than the previous six outings and as a result is able to convey a
strong social comment whilst still maintaining comedic values.
Here we see the genesis of Sid's Cockney character that would go on to
typify a Carry On, whilst Hattie shines as the housewife that is
exasperated by her husbands cab obsessed shenanigans. They both play their
roles relatively straight and this adds to the realism of the piece. The
humour comes from the other members of the cast and the situations they
find themselves in.
Special mention must be given to Charles Hawtrey as the wonderfully naive
PintPot, ("ooh, I could punish myself!") who tries hard and regularly
fails to do anything correctly.
Overall Carry On Cabby is a film about relationships and how devotion to
work can cloud judgement on other important factors in your life. Whilst
also commenting on such problems faced by society such as failing
relationships and failing businesses. The fact that an essentially
depressing film can be so great is testament to the all-round ability of
all concerned.
other information
Carry On Cabby started life as a Talbot Rothwell script entitled Call
Me A Cab. Indeed it was only changed to Carry On Cabby at the last minute
due to a request by Anglo Amalgamated. The opening score is still based
around the words 'call me a cab'.
This was the first film that credits music man Eric Rogers. Previously
Bruce Montgomery was on composing and conducting duties. Eric assisted,
uncredited, for the previous three films.
In Taxi! (BBC, 1963-64) Sid James played London cabby Sid Stone who, like
his character in Carry On Cabby, gets involved in the day to day problems
of his fares and his fellow drivers. The twelve, 50-minute episodes were
an uneven mix of drama and comedy that unfortunately did not prove
successful in the audience ratings. It also starred Bill Owen as Sid's
partner Fred Cuddell and Ray Brooks as driver Terry Mills. Click
here for
a photo of Sid in Taxi! and click
here for the Radio Times billing for the
first episode.
Charles Hawtrey couldn't drive before filming commenced. It was up to a
Pinewood stagehand to teach him in the grounds of the studios.
Rumour has it that this film was made in colour and that two versions of
the film exist. Unhappily they don't.
Kenneth Williams was pencilled in to play Allbright, however the actor was
unwilling to participate, so the role was reduced and given to Norman
Chappell.
This is the only film that has both the Rank logo and the Anglo
Amalgamated logo in the pre-credits.
Promotional tie ins were arranged with both the Ford Motor Company and
Regent Petrol. Both get good plugs in the film!
bloopers
Charlie enters the office blind drunk. However minutes later he's ably
masterminding a car chase before setting off on the road himself. How did
he drive in that state?
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