Carry on Loving

"Sid" (Sidney James) and "Sophie" (Hattie Jacques) run the "Wedded Bliss" dating agency that supposedly uses complex computer algorithms to match couples. Their cleverly entitled "to wit to woo" brochure is supposed to help make true love blossom but it's a "Carry On" so of course you're going to get the mismatches of the century playing out for the next ninety minutes. This is one of the more memorable of the franchise for me. The comedy bond between James and Jacques was always a strong one and here there is just enough humour - as opposed to tacky innuendo - to keep the thing entertaining enough with Joan Sims and a rather unlikely Lothario in Terry Scott, adding well too. It's not one of the better roles for Kenneth Williams ("Snooper"), Charles Hawtrey's "Bedsop" was actually quite annoying and it definitely recycles a few earlier ideas just once too often, but as these films go this is a slightly better effort that maybe raises a titter rather than a laugh and passes the time in a predictably smutty fashion.

I see so many reviews of people commenting about Loving being one of the Carry on movies during its declining years, I have to disagree with those, with Convenience, Girls and Behind still to come the crew were still on top form. Loving highlights a sexual revolution that had pretty much already happened years before. It's not loaded with particularly original material, but it has its moments, Sid and Hattie are great fun as warring married couple The Bliss's, Kenneth Williams is hilarious as Percival, the excellent Patsy Rowlands is finally given a large role, making full use of it. Joan Hickson is a delight as Jenny's mum, as are the whole eccentric family, but the all time highlight must be the laugh out loud finale which is side splitting, you can almost see the look of joy on everyones faces. I must admit to a feeling of sadness when I watch Imogen Hassall, such a tragic waste, a good actress, incredibly beautiful, such a shame she never went on to bigger things. Bernard Bresslaw is once again made an idiot out of, not able to show that he could act. It may not be one of the classics, but it's still a very, very funny film.

This is a bit daft, but its not as bad as the last 2, its just a bit stilted and set in the 70's sex scene.

Sid James is back on top billing, and its got plenty of regulars, Ken Williams, Charlie Hawtrey, Joan Sims, Hattie Jacques, Terry Scott, Peter Butterworth, Bernard Bresslaw, Julian Holloway and new girl Jacki Piper, Joan Hickson returns after a long gap, and there is anew boy Richard O'Callaghan, he only did 2 , but with a high profile. Two cameos were performed by Bill Pertwee (Dad's Army) and Bill Maynard (Heartbeat) who went on to do a few more.

This was all a bit average and I was going to give it a 6 until the wedding party at the end which was hilarious, so it raised it one star.

This film is about hooking up and stars Sid James as Sidney Bliss, who runs the Wedded Bliss Agency along with Hattie Jacques. A series of lonely hearts come in looking for their significant others and this movie basically is a series of vignettes about what happens. The worlds do collide somewhat and while things get chaotic, they are also fun. This film is truly a product of its time in that there are open displays of affection and the young ladies wear miniskirts. This was the first film with the very pretty Jacki Piper, buts its the ensemble aspect of this film which makes it work. Its a sex comedy without the nudity. Its fun and enjoyable.

I personally liked this Carry On. True the story is thin, Terry Scott is nothing special(in my opinion)-in fact I found him bland- really and the film spends too much time on Scott and the regulars feel underused in comparisons. However, it does look good, with the cinematography, locations and scenery first rate, and the music was energetic. I liked the pacing, and the innuendos and double entendres. And the cast in general are likable, Sidney James and Kenneth Williams are always good value as is Joan Sims, Charles Hawtrey and Hattie Jaques, while Joan Hickson and Imogen Hassal make delightful appearances. Overall, Carry on Loving is not brilliant, but it is definitely watchable for fans of the series. 7/10 Bethany Cox