Watch Your Stern

I couldn't dislike this amiable family comedy/farce, about a hapless and accident prone ordinary seaman, Blissworth, played by one of my favourite comedy actors of the 50's and 60's, Kenneth Connor. He's surrounded by many of the usual 'carry on' characters, such as Sid James, who's always a joy to watch, Hattie Jacques, who's cast as the well built and highly intimidating scientist, and the wonderful Joan Sims, playing the romantic interest on board the ship. The humour is gentle with dialogue not being peppered every two minutes with the explicit sexual vulgarity of the later 'carry on' films. The storyline about the plans for a new torpedo being lost by able seaman Blissworth gives Kenneth Connor full range to exploit his comic talents and impersonations, which hitherto he had demonstrated through the medium of radio in the 50's. I also loved seeing Noel Purcell, playing the growling and constantly outraged bearded admiral. For today's audience, the humour may seem dated but it does give film goers the opportunity to see a galaxy of British radio and TV stars all together in one film.