Fifty Years Of Carry On

Books based upon films or tv series can be a script, photographs, interviews, background data or plain reference. This book is a little of them all, but the best bit is the 180 odd pages of narrative history of the Carry On series, very readable. This takes us in linear form from the beginnings to possibly the last Carry On film, along the way looking at cut scenes, comments from the makers, and some background information. Covering so many films in so few pages the coverage may be sparse for a reference book, but places each film into a context.Then we have a section with a bare list of the films, then another list of the films with the cast and crew listed - 62 pages.The script of an uncompleted final film (Carry on Downunder) 48 pages.First treatment and development ideas for Carry on Sergeant.20 pages.There is an index to the main text, but if an actor is only listed in the cast section and not in the narrative, they are omitted from the index section.The page counts above are approximate.It is the first part of the book, the very readable narrative history of the series that really makes this book worth having and reading.

I bought this because I have a very limited knowledge of "Carry On" films. I am from the US and they have never been widely shown here. I developed an interest after reading Leslie Phillips' autobiography. That lead me to purchase the Complete Set of the films (only slightly more expensive than the 6 or so I was most interested in seeing). I find this book to be concise, and full of information, on the series as a whole as well as information on individual titles. It has a complete list of films with brief discussion and a fairly complete cast listing. There may be better books but this one is very informative and well worth the price.

If you like Carry On you'll love this book. It has a reference feel to it. Rightly so as it takes you through every film in order listing credits for cast and crew with a synopsis for each film. There's even a section on the unmade late episode that's in script format. Carry On...

I would definitely recommend this book for all avid 'Carry On' buffs such as myself. It is very informative and gives the reader a lot information of what kicked the Carry On era off and so on. It not only gives the reader an insight into the characters in the films but also those who portrayed them too.

I'm a big carry on fan. So I had to buy it.