Carry On Loving (1970)

Sick Product of a Sick System

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

CARRY ON LOVING is a surprisingly enjoyable Carry On movie given that the entire script is given over to sexual innuendos and the lowbrow. Sure, there are a few slapstick moments dotted here and there through the film, but this is noticeably more sexualised than all of the other Carry Ons made previously.The film has a contemporary setting, with Sid James and Hattie Jacques the owners of a wedding agency who aim to set up various hopefuls in wedded bliss. There are shades of CARRY ON REGARDLESS here with the agency setting, but this is very much a film of its era and the 1970s look and feel is priceless. Cast-wise, James and Jacques are solid and enjoyable, but it's the minor players who really shine in this one.I'm not usually a fan of Terry Scott but his set piece scene in Joan Hickson's house is the highlight here. Imogen Hassall's transformation from prim and proper to alluring sex-pot is highly memorable too - what an incredible-looking actress! Charles Hawtrey bags the second funniest moment with his incident in the gents. Peter Butterworth is limited to a one-scene cameo but makes the very best of it, while Bernard Bresslaw has a wonderful larger-than-life role as a wrestler. It's just a shame that Kenneth Williams had little to do and that Richard O'Callaghan is such a poor replacement for Jim Dale; but then you can't win 'em all.

Sid James and Hattie Jacques are perfectly cast as a couple who run a wedded bliss agency. They basically play matchmakers. The first client of the movie is a Carry On newcomer, Richard O'Callaghan, a solid replacement for Jim Dale who had recently left the series. Sid takes down his information and the machine pops out Joan Sims. Sid rejects it, but Hattie makes him set up a date. Kenneth Williams plays Mr. Snooper, a marriage counselor. He is a bachelor and he gives bad advice to the couples. He is told to get married to keep his job. Sid decides to intercept Joan Sims, because he likes her. Hattie calls Charles Hawtrey to follow him. Jacki Piper makes her appearance in the bar where all the meetings are supposed to take place. She plays Sally Martin, who is an up and coming star. Ricahrd mistakes her as his date and she mistakes him as a publicity agent who is to take photos of her. Jacki looks gorgeous in a very short dress. He wants to have dinner and she wants to go to her place and do it(take photos). There is a lot of dialog confusing sex and photos. she tells him she is going to strip down and he gets nervous. She is just planning to take photos. Charles continues to follow Sid as he leaves the bar. We hear the Hitchcock theme in the background. Good music and a fun scene as Sid eludes him. Back to Jacki and Richard. Jacki comes wearing a pink nightie and a black bra and panties. Wow! There are a few more lines of play and she disrobes. She does a nice little spin to show off that perfect body. She finally realizes he is not a photographer and they tell each other what they are there for. He runs out embarrassed. Jacki Piper has no ego and does not come across as hey look at my body which I really love. She is so sweet and proper and looks so hot in her undies. Kenneth meets with Hattie about getting married. After that Sid meets with Joan at her apartment, Bernard Bresselaw shows up as her wrestler boyfriend. Then Richard shows up to meet her as his date. Sid escapes and Richard is thrown out. Jacki calls the next day to find out he is in the hospital for his wounds. She is wearing another short skirt and she meets him at the hospital. They have a funny scene where they discuss their night and the man in the next bed is totally amazed at what he hears. Hattie decides to match herself with Kenneth because Sid likes Joan. Later Terry Scott is matched up with Jacki's new roommate Imogen Hasall. He tries to make love to her and people keep interrupting. Jacki comes out again in her underwear and walks around. She looks perfect again. She is incredible. Anyway at the end all the couples get together and have a big food fight. What a great way to end this funny and fun film. What an underrated gem.

This is a good film.It is taking a storyline about love and sex but its not bad.Sid is as magical as ever as Sidney Bliss the owner of the wedded Bliss agency with his partner Sophie Plummet( Hattie Jacques).Imogen Hassle makes her only Carry on appearance as Jenny Grub a charming girl under the thumb of old fashioned parents.Terry Scott has his eyes on her and they soon hit it off. Joan Sims is good as Esme Crowfoot one of Sids clients who he has a eye for.Bernie is Gripper a wrestler Esme Crowfoots partner.This is funny but not really Bernie in my opinion.Richard O Callaghan makes his second appearance as Bertram Muffet.Jackie Piper stars as Sally Martin.Kenneth Williams is Percival Snooper an eccentric marriage guidance counsellor. Charles Hawtrey is James Bedsop a spy who Hattie is paying to spy in Sid. This is one of the gangs finest performances its not hard to see why the food fight at the end is classic.Everyone is enjoying themselves. 10/10

"Carry On Loving" was repeated on television on the most appropriate day - St. Valentine's Day. I had never seen this addition to the series before and was looking forward to seeing it as it was on very late on a Friday night. It was standard "Carry On" fare, but a little disappointing.A group of "lonely hearts" try their luck at the Wedded Bliss Computer Dating Agency - run by the ever-enterprising Sid James and his battleaxe wife Hattie Jacques. The film suffers from loss of the usual humour and the stalwarts lose their importance due to the woefully inadequate screen time spent on the "happy couples" - Terry Scott and Imogen Hassall and Richard O' Callaghan and Jacki Piper.There are fine performances from everyone including Charles Hawtrey as an inept private detective with very limited importance, Joan Sims as Sid's bit-on-the-side, Kenneth Williams as an UNMARRIED marriage guidance councillor and Bernard Bresslaw as the manic pro-wrestler Gripper Burke, not forgetting some delightful cameos from Peter Butterworth, Patsy Rowlands, Bill Maynard, Julian Holloway, Joan Hickson and Bill Pertwee.Overall, a good "Carry On" film, but not a great one. If you have never seen a "Carry On" film before, try watching something earlier such as "Carry On Cowboy" or "Carry On Up the Khyber" etc, then watch this, but be warned, Charles Hawtrey, Bernard Bresslaw and Peter Butterworth are sadly under-used.7 out of 10.