Carry On favourite Barbara Windsor makes her debut in this outrageous parody of the James Bond movies.
There are gadgets galore, and disguises are compulsory if the heroes are to win the day from The Fat Man . . .
A top-secret chemical formula has been stolen by S.T.E.N.C.H (the Society for the Total Extinction of Non-Conforming Humans), and so agent Desmond Simpkins (Kenneth Williams) and James Bind of B.O.S.H – aided and abetted by the comely agent Honeybutt and agent Crump – chase villains across the world.
The team of four glide through each scenario with a beautiful lack of elegance, dodging bullets and drugged drinks until suspicion is aroused when a ‘reserved for British agents’ place card appears on their table.
It is a celebration of the absurd dogged attitude of the British: gullible, likeable, humbling and inexperienced but always certain to pull through in the end.
Bernard Cribbins, in his last Carry On appearance for almost 30 years, returns as loveable bumbler agent Crump and successfully chats up Honeybutt (Barbara Windsor) while also indulging in inspired bits of horseplay with the lads.
Carry On Spying is what the great Carry Ons are all about: jam-packed with spirited performances from everyone involved; a subtle musical score; less than subtle jokes, moments of real tension and a script of grease-lightning wit and fun that leaves the audience gasping. Vintage.
Desmond Simkins
Kenneth Williams
Daphne Honeybutt
Barbara Windsor
Harold Crump
Bernard Cribbins
Charlie Bind
Charles Hawtrey
Chief
Eric Barker
Lila
Dilys Laye
Carstairs
Jim Dale
Cobley
Richard Wattis
Dr Crow
Judith Furse
Head Waiter
John Bluthal
Director
Gerald Thomas
