Review of Carry On Spying (1964) by Edward E — 04 Jul 2018

A Carry On film often in the background (because there were only two regulars starring: Kenneth Williams and Charles Hawtrey, with a bit part from soon-to-disappear member Eric Barker), this Bernard Cribbins-starring movie was fun, funny, and entertaining.

Unfortunately, the worst people in the movie are the people that Carry On fans would claim that they "saved" this awkward Cribbins era: Williams and Hawtrey, whose characters are sometimes so unbearable to watch because of their stupidity, leaving the rest of their group (and Eric Barker) to pick up the pieces, unfortunately not being thanked for it.

This was Barbara Windsor's debut in the series and I'd say she had big shoes to fill - after all, the other Cribbins movie Carry On Jack that came out before, already had an actress in it (Juliet Mills) that became a weird little blip in the series and never appeared again, filling a role that would've probably gone to a Joan Sims-esque style.

Her ship tease with Cribbins was a nice touch, mostly because it didn't feel forced, and she had her funny moments. It's alarming when Windsor's naive young character that acts a little like an alien that is still trying to learn human customs is smarter than Williams and Hawtrey.

Jim Dale's appearance as the best agent in the business is constantly assaulted and humiliated by Williams and the other characters because they fell for his ludicrous disguises when they first met.

The villain (a genderless scientist trying to find a secret formula stolen from a factory) is loads of fun - some of the best comedy moments are from their scenes with their henchmen. Overall, a great Carry On movie that is horribly overlooked.

Highly recommend.