British comedy
In film, television, and radio, British comedy has produced some of the most renowned characters in the world. In it, satire is one of the features of British comedy. Radio comedy in Britain has been almost exclusively hosted on the BBC.
History ...
Sid James
Sidney James (born Solomon Joel Cohen; 8 May 1913 – 26 April 1976) was a South African–British actor and comedian whose career encompassed radio, television, stage and screen. Noted for his distinctive laugh, he was best known for numerou ...
. James was busy touring in a play, while Rothwell's health prevented him from writing. The regular actors present are
Kenneth Williams
Kenneth Charles Williams (22 February 1926 – 15 April 1988) was a British actor and comedian. He was best known for his comedy roles and in later life as a raconteur and diarist. He was one of the main ensemble in 26 of the 31 ''Carry ...
,
Kenneth Connor
Kenneth Connor (6 June 1918 – 28 November 1993) was a British stage, film and broadcasting actor, who rose to national prominence with his appearances in the ''Carry On'' films.
Early life
Connor was born in Highbury, Islington, London, t ...
Joan Sims
Irene Joan Marion Sims (9 May 1930 – 27 June 2001) was an English actress and comedienne, best remembered for her roles in the ''Carry On'' franchise, appearing in 24 of the films (the most for any actress).
On television, she is known for ...
,
Peter Butterworth
Peter William Shorrocks Butterworth (4 February 1915Bernard Bresslaw and Patsy Rowlands. ''Carry On Behind'' was the final picture in the series for Bresslaw (in his 14th appearance), Liz Fraser (in her fourth) and Rowlands (in her ninth) as well as Carol Hawkins (in her second). It saw the only appearances of Elke Sommer, Adrienne Posta, Sherrie Hewson and
Ian Lavender
Arthur Ian Lavender (16 February 1946 – 2 February 2024) was an English stage, film and television actor. He is best known for his role as Private Pike in ''Dad's Army'', a BBC sitcom set during World War II, of which he was the last survivi ...
in a ''Carry On'' film, and was the first of two entries in the series for
Windsor Davies
Windsor Davies (28 August 1930 – 17 January 2019) was a British actor. He is best remembered for playing Battery Sergeant Major Williams in the sitcom '' It Ain't Half Hot Mum'' (1974–1981) over its entire run. The show's popularity resulted ...
. The film was followed by ''
Carry On England
''Carry On England'' is a 1976 British comedy film, the 28th release in the series of the original 30 ''Carry On'' films (1958–1978). It was released in October 1976 and featured ''Carry On'' regulars Kenneth Connor, Jack Douglas, Joan Sim ...
'' in 1976.
Plot
Frustrated butcher Fred Ramsden and his dim electrician friend Ernie Bragg happily head off for a holiday trip at the Riverside Caravan Site, while their respective wives Sylvia and Vera look forward to their health farm holiday. Once at the caravan site of Major Leap, Fred starts making eyes at two young female campers, Carol and Sandra. However, as Ernie talks in his sleep and any infidelities are likely to be spoken of in the marital bed after their holiday, Fred is despondent. Professor Roland Crump teams with Roman expert Anna Vrooshka in an archaeological dig at the site. Arthur Upmore and his wife Linda are saddled with her mother Daphne and her vulgar mynah bird. Arthur is caught in a compromising position with attractive blonde Norma Baxter whose husband Joe is lumbered with their giant Irish wolfhound.
After a few drinks with the amused pub landlord, Fred and Ernie discover that the caravan site is riddled with excavation holes. Daphne is perturbed by the discovery that her estranged husband Henry Barnes lives a downtrodden life as the camp's odd-job man, despite having won the pools. Major Leap is determined to give the place a boost and arranges an evening cabaret for the caravanners, but a mix-up over the phone secures a stripper, Veronica, rather than the singer he wanted. Carol and Sandra having hooked up with archaeology students Bob and Clive, Fred and Ernie pick up Maureen and Sally, two beautiful young women from the village. Some wet paint, some glue, heavy rain that causes the tunnels of the dig to collapse, and the arrival of their wives soon bring their planned night of passion to a halt.
Casting
The main roles are played by ''Carry On'' regulars Kenneth Williams, Bernard Bresslaw, Peter Butterworth, Joan Sims, Kenneth Connor, Jack Douglas and Patsy Rowlands. Newcomers to the series in major roles are Windsor Davies and Elke Sommer. Sims played the role of Rowlands's mother, despite being only eight months older than her on-screen daughter.
Supporting roles are played by Sherrie Hewson, Carol Hawkins, Ian Lavender, Adrienne Posta,
George Layton
George Layton (born George Michael William Löwy; 2 March 1942) is a British actor, director, screenwriter and author best known for three television roles – junior doctor Paul Collier in the comedy series ''Doctor in the House'' and its sequ ...
, Larry Dann, Larry Martyn and David Lodge. These supporting players were mostly recognisable comedy actors at the time, but not long-term regular members of the ''Carry On'' team. Liz Fraser had appeared in three early films in the series; her re-appearance here was after a gap of twelve years.
Filming
Chilly spring filming meant the bare trees, muddy fields and icy breath are all quite visible, although the setting is a summer caravanning holiday. A similar dilemma met the cast and crew in '' Carry On Camping''. The signage in Fred Ramsden's butcher's shop clearly shows that the shop is closing for the Easter holidays, which can occur as early as March.
Whilst this film was in production, Bernard Bresslaw and Joan Sims also appeared in '' One of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing'', another film being made at
Pinewood Studios
Pinewood Studios is a British film and television studio located in the village of Iver Heath, England. It is approximately west of central London.
The studio has been the base for many productions over the years from large-scale films to t ...
alongside ''Carry On Behind''.
In 2023, actor Larry Dann dedicated a chapter of his autobiography ''Oh, What A Lovely Memoir'' to share his memories of the making of this production.
Kenneth Williams
Kenneth Charles Williams (22 February 1926 – 15 April 1988) was a British actor and comedian. He was best known for his comedy roles and in later life as a raconteur and diarist. He was one of the main ensemble in 26 of the 31 ''Carry ...
Kenneth Connor
Kenneth Connor (6 June 1918 – 28 November 1993) was a British stage, film and broadcasting actor, who rose to national prominence with his appearances in the ''Carry On'' films.
Early life
Connor was born in Highbury, Islington, London, t ...
Joan Sims
Irene Joan Marion Sims (9 May 1930 – 27 June 2001) was an English actress and comedienne, best remembered for her roles in the ''Carry On'' franchise, appearing in 24 of the films (the most for any actress).
On television, she is known for ...
as Daphne Barnes
*
Windsor Davies
Windsor Davies (28 August 1930 – 17 January 2019) was a British actor. He is best remembered for playing Battery Sergeant Major Williams in the sitcom '' It Ain't Half Hot Mum'' (1974–1981) over its entire run. The show's popularity resulted ...
as Fred Ramsden
*
Peter Butterworth
Peter William Shorrocks Butterworth (4 February 1915Liz Fraser
Elizabeth Joan Winch (14 August 1930 – 6 September 2018), known professionally as Liz Fraser, was a British film actress, best known for being cast in provocative comedy roles.
Early life
Fraser was born in Southwark, London. Her year of b ...
Ian Lavender
Arthur Ian Lavender (16 February 1946 – 2 February 2024) was an English stage, film and television actor. He is best known for his role as Private Pike in ''Dad's Army'', a BBC sitcom set during World War II, of which he was the last survivi ...
Marianne Stone
Marianne Stone (23 August 1922 – 21 December 2009) was an English character actress. She performed in films from the early 1940s to the late 1980s, typically playing working class parts such as barmaids, secretaries and landladies. Stone app ...
as Mrs Elsie Rowan
*
George Layton
George Layton (born George Michael William Löwy; 2 March 1942) is a British actor, director, screenwriter and author best known for three television roles – junior doctor Paul Collier in the comedy series ''Doctor in the House'' and its sequ ...
as Doctor
*
Brian Osborne
Brian Osborne (26 March 1940 – 8 July 2021) was an English actor. He was best known for his roles in ''Upstairs, Downstairs (1971 TV series), Upstairs, Downstairs'' and ''The Sandbaggers''. Osborne also had minor roles in six Carry On (franch ...
Kenneth Waller
Kenneth Waller (5 November 1927 – 28 January 2000) was an English actor. He was known for portraying Grandad in ''Bread'' and Old Mr. Grace in ''Are You Being Served?''
Early life
Kenneth Waller was born in Lowerhouses Huddersfield, Yorks ...
as barman
*Billy Cornelius as man with salad
*Melita Manger as woman with salad
* Hugh Futcher as painter
*
Helli Louise
Helli Louise Brunchmann Jacobson, often billed as Helli Louise (2 August 1949 – 22 June 2018), was a Danish born actress who appeared in British films and television, including '' The Benny Hill Show'', during the 1970s.
Career
Jacobson was ...
as nude woman in shower
*Jeremy Connor as student with ice cream
* Alexandra Dane as lady in low-cut dress
*
Sam Kelly
Roger Michael Kelly (19 December 1943 – 14 June 2014), known by the stage name Sam Kelly, was an English actor who appeared in film, television, radio and theatre. He is best known for his roles as Captain Hans Geering in Allo 'Allo!'', ...
as projectionist (uncredited)
* Johnny Briggs as plasterer (uncredited)
* Lucy Griffiths as lady with hat (uncredited)
*Stanley McGeagh as short-sighted man (uncredited)
* Brenda Cowling as wife (uncredited)
*Sidney Johnson as man in glasses (uncredited)
*Drina Pavlovic as courting girl (uncredited)
*Caroline Whitaker as student (uncredited)
*Ray Edwards as man with water (uncredited)
Filming and locations
*Filming dates – 10 March–18 April 1975
Interiors:
*
Pinewood Studios
Pinewood Studios is a British film and television studio located in the village of Iver Heath, England. It is approximately west of central London.
The studio has been the base for many productions over the years from large-scale films to t ...
,
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire (, abbreviated ''Bucks'') is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South East England and one of the home counties. It is bordered by Northamptonshire to the north, Bedfordshire to the north-east, Hertfordshir ...
Exteriors:
* Pinewood Studios: the Orchard doubled for the caravan site, as it had for the campsite in '' Carry On Camping''.
*
Maidenhead
Maidenhead is a market town in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in the county of Berkshire, England. It lies on the southwestern bank of the River Thames, which at this point forms the border with Buckinghamshire. In the 2021 Census, ...
,
Berkshire
Berkshire ( ; abbreviated ), officially the Royal County of Berkshire, is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South East England. It is bordered by Oxfordshire to the north, Buckinghamshire to the north-east, Greater London ...
: the
town hall
In local government, a city hall, town hall, civic centre (in the UK or Australia), guildhall, or municipal hall (in the Philippines) is the chief administrative building of a city, town, or other municipality. It usually houses the city o ...
doubled for the university seen at the start of the film. It had previously been used for the hospital exteriors in '' Carry On Doctor'' and '' Carry On Again Doctor''.
* Farnham Common, Buckinghamshire