As time progressed the Carry On films tended to get more and more puerile with vulgarity replacing wit; this one, as its title suggests, contains more than its fair share of 'dick jokes' thankfully another generalisation about the Carry on films is that the historical ones tended to be funnier than the contemporary outings. Set in the 1750s this one tells the story of Captain Desmond Fancey's attempts to apprehend the notorious highwayman Dick Turpin. Turpin's crimes all take place near the villages of Upper and Lower Dentures so he heads there with his sergeant. Not knowing what Turpin looks like they wish to remain incognito and inform nobody but the local rector or their true identity
of course the rector is none other then Dick Turpin! In the course of their investigations they learn that Turpin has an unusual birthmark but its location, which isn't hard to guess, means the sergeant ends up following anybody heading to the pub's gents for a quick examination! Turpin is keen to be rid of the two London policemen so manages to trick them into getting arrested for his crimes by the local constable
unfortunately he writes to London to inform them of 'Turpin's' arrest so the real Turpin must come up with another plan.
I was quite surprised at some of the film's content as I didn't expect to hear so many dick jokes or to see Barbara Windsor in a see through top on Sunday afternoon television! While there were a few too many such jokes some earned a snigger and there were quite a few more wholesome laughs. It also helped that there was a decent story and the fact that nearly all the Carry On team were present and on top form. Sid James was great as Turpin/Reverend Flasher as was Kenneth Williams as Capt. Fancey. Other regulars present included the aforementioned Barbara Windsor, Hattie Jacques, Joan Sim and Kenneth Connor although the last of these had certainly slipped in the rankings; being reduced to the small role of the local constable rather than being one of the top names he was in the earlier films. The only character I wasn't amused by was Jack Douglas's Sgt. Jock Strapp although I'm not sure if that is down to the acting or just the character. If you are a fan of the Carry On series this is worth watching just don't expect the innocence of the earlier outings.
I was quite surprised at some of the film's content as I didn't expect to hear so many dick jokes or to see Barbara Windsor in a see through top on Sunday afternoon television! While there were a few too many such jokes some earned a snigger and there were quite a few more wholesome laughs. It also helped that there was a decent story and the fact that nearly all the Carry On team were present and on top form. Sid James was great as Turpin/Reverend Flasher as was Kenneth Williams as Capt. Fancey. Other regulars present included the aforementioned Barbara Windsor, Hattie Jacques, Joan Sim and Kenneth Connor although the last of these had certainly slipped in the rankings; being reduced to the small role of the local constable rather than being one of the top names he was in the earlier films. The only character I wasn't amused by was Jack Douglas's Sgt. Jock Strapp although I'm not sure if that is down to the acting or just the character. If you are a fan of the Carry On series this is worth watching just don't expect the innocence of the earlier outings.