Review of Carry On Abroad (1972) by Calum B — 02 Jan 2012

After 'Carry On At Your Convenience' this is the funniest of the 70's Carry On movies. Featuring the fullest rota of team members since 'Carry On Doctor' this is an absolute delight that bears up on continued viewings just because it's so 'in-your-face-stupid'. Taking the pee out of foreigners for any one British is always funny-Peter Butterworth is fantastic as the hotel owner who thinks he's running the best place going despite the fact it's still being built and clearly has less stars than an x-factor knockout round and Hattie Jacques finally gets to cast off her matron persona as his constantly cussing bad tempered missus, she is brilliant in this. The dialogue in this is amongst the best in the series... Peter Butterworth continually calling Stuart Farquar (Kenneth Williams) MISTER FARKY-ARSE just sums up the feel good humour on display- indeed the best bit is the interchange between these two characters when they first meet:

Williams... I'm Stuart Farquar.

Butterworth (Immediately)... Stupid What?

Williams... STUART FARQUAR.

James... I think he was right the first time.

Classic Carry On. Another great exchange is when Sid James is Talking to June Whitfield:

James...Drink?

Whitfield... I Tried It Once And Didn't Like It.

James... Smoke?

Whitfield...I Tried It Once And Didn't Like It.

James... That's Unusual.

Whitfield... My Daughter's The Same.

James... Your Only Child I Presume...!!

Talbot Rothwell at his best.

This was Charles Hawtrey's last 'Carry On' and subsequent entries in the series declined in quality. This is the last 'modern day' film in the classic run (Emmannuelle and Behind excluded- Talbot Rothwell and Sid were gone) and as such along with 'Dick' can be seen as one of the last of the True Carry on's. Just enjoy it for what it is, unpretentious and a bloody good laugh.

After 'Screaming' And 'At Your Convenience' my 3rd favourite 'Carry On' movie.

Brilliant. 10/10.

Ps, a previous reviewer of this film commented on a 'Missing Scene' that had Sid in a monk's robe.... The scene actually appears in 'Carry On Camping' and belongs to that film.