That's Carry On (1977)
Directed by Gerald Thomas

Film Review

With the Carry On films practically consigned to history, it seems fitting that producer Peter Rogers (inspired by MGM's That's Entertainment) should take stock and celebrate the former glories of the Carry On team in this well-stocked compilation film.  Made between the twin disasters that were Carry On England (1976) and Carry On Emmannuelle (1978), That's Carry On reminded audiences just how great the Carry On films were in their heyday, and how deeply ingrained they had become into British culture.  The only film not to get a look in is Carry On England, probably because the compilers couldn't find a single joke in the film. (They would have needed a powerful electron microscope to find one.)

Kenneth Williams and Barbara Windsor were the obvious choice to present the film and they do an excellent job.  Great mates off-screen, Kenny and Babs are clearly enjoying this trip down memory lane (although neither saw any of the clips that were shown in the film) and it is to be lamented that they would never again appear on screen together.  Kenneth's rousing speech at the end of the film, with its bold Churchillian overtones, would have been the film's highlight, if someone had not taken the decision to play the credits over the actor's face.  Infamy!

Realising that he could make easy money from old rope, Peter Rogers went on to make several compilation series for British television, each featuring clips pinched from the Carry On films.  This proved to be a cause of great acrimony for the performing artistes who, incredibly, received no financial recompense for the re-use of their appearances in the Carry Ons.  Of all the money that was accrued from TV screenings, film re-releases, video and DVD sales, not one penny went to any of the Carry On stars.  It's a sobering thought.

Film Synopsis

Kenneth Williams and Barbara Windsor find themselves in a projection room at Pinewood studios and, having got the hang of their apparatus, present a series of excerpts from the Carry On films.  Kenneth has one drink too many and ends up dying to go to the little boys' room, but the evil Barbara insists that he stays right to the bitter end...