Carry On Abroad (1972)

The 24th Carry On film, Carry On Abroad (or ‘What a package’) concerns saucy carry-ons in the Spanish resort of Elsbels.

Vic Flange (Sid James) plans to bunk off on a package holiday with buxom Sadie Tomkins (Barbara Windsor). Much to his chagrin his wife finds out and insists on coming along.

When the coach party of holidaymakers arrive at the resort, they find the Hotel still hasn’t been finished and the weather is awful. There is also something very strange about the staff – They all look very similar.

To top it all off, the weather seems to be having an adverse effect on the Hotel’s foundations.

They don’t come much better than this celebration of the cheap package holiday, all the 1970’s Carry On regulars line up as Kenneth Williams is given the unenviable task of ensuring a fun-packed holiday while Charles Hawtrey giggles and drinks away from the main group while desperately trying to play leap-frog with the young ladies.

Barbara Windsor is the ultimate sex-bomb, struggling to force her lacy underwear into her case, Bernard Bresslaw is meek and mild as the devout monk who sees the light when modernised and humanised by the delectable Carol Hawkins.

Joan Sims, as Sid’s long-suffering and mildly nagging wife, finds a sort of romantic understanding with typical military Officer-type and all-round coward Kenneth Connor.

Of particular note is Peter Butterworth`s frantic Spanish hotelier (“Room Servicings”, “Bloodings Brown Bristols soups”, “Chippings”), which – with his deliciously over-bearing, explosive and fiery wife, Hattie Jacques – provides the series’ most concentrated cascade of funny moments.

It is simply corny joke following one-liner, following outrageous comment, following sight gag: laughs all the way and a timely jibe at the ever-increasing popularity for economic holidays abroad.

A combination of comic situations, sexual revelations and a collapsing hotel leads to the end of holiday party that is quickly livened up by Sid’s injection of a potent sex drug.

The party goes with a swing, Hattie Jacques does her Spanish bull impersonation, Charlie Hawtrey talks with glee about his hamsters and everybody couples off.

The final joyous scene, with all the holiday-makers surging into Sid’s pub for a reunion, filling the drinks with elixir and locking the doors for an all-night party, leaves the audience in the company of comic friends having a great time, and forms the most satisfying close to any Carry On.

Vic Flange
Sid James
Mrs Cora Flange
Joan Sims
Sadie Tomkins
Barbara Windsor
Miss Dobbs
Patsy Rowlands
Stuart Farquhar
Kenneth Williams
Miss Lilly Plunkett
Amelia Bayntun
Marge
Carol Hawkins
Lily (Marge’s friend)
Sally Geeson
Stanley Blunt
Kenneth Connor
Evelyn Blunt
June Whitfield
Eustace Tuttle
Charles Hawtrey
Brother Bernard
Bernard Bresslaw
Papa Pepe
Peter Butterworth
Georgio Pepe
Ray Brooks
Mama Floella Pepe
Hattie Jacques
Bert Conway
Jimmy Logan
Harry
Jack Douglas

Director
Gerald Thomas

Video