The Carry On Christmas Specials were four one-off specials produced for Thames Television made in 1969, 1970, 1972 and 1973. They brought most of the cast and the formula of the Carry On films to a television production. Barbara Windsor was the only one to appear in all four Carry On Christmas specials. Kenneth Williams (who appeared in twenty-six Carry On films, the most of any of the Carry On stars) did not appear in any of the Christmas specials.
The first special, Carry On Christmas, was broadcast in 1969. It was filmed shortly after the completion of Carry on Up the Jungle and featured the same main cast from that film. It was scripted by long-term Carry On author Talbot Rothwell. The story was an irreverent take on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, featuring Sid James as Scrooge. The 'Christmas Past' sequence reveals that Scrooge failed to invest in the schemes of Dr. Frank N. Stein, who (assisted by his servant, Count Dracula) sought to create a mate for Barbara Windsor's Monster. The 'Christmas Present' sequence described Robert Browning's difficulties in attempting to elope with Elizabeth Barrett without funds, thanks to Scrooge's unwillingness to lend. The 'Christmas Future' sequence retold the story of Cinderella.
Although the 1969 special was broadcast in colour, the 1970 special was shown in black and white due to a technicians' strikes that caused Thames Television to broadcast all their Christmas shows that year in black and white.
Carry On Christmas (or Carry On Stuffing) (1972)Edit
DescriptionEdit
In 1972 a new Christmas special was produced, entitled Carry On Christmas (or Carry On Stuffing). Talbot Rothwell became ill whilst writing the script, and was unable to finish it. Dave Freeman had to be brought in to complete the script, but the two men did not work together. Charles Hawtrey pulled out of the special at short notice. Having taken third billing to Sid James and Terry Scott in the previous two shows, and knowing they would both be absent, Hawtrey demanded top billing. But Carry On producer Peter Rogers refused, giving top billing to Hattie Jacques instead. Hawtrey's role had hastily to be recast, and was split between Norman Rossington and Brian Oulton, both of whom had played cameo roles in several Carry On films. The special featured a collection of historical sketches, loosely linked around an 18th-century banquet.
For the final original Christmas special, writer Talbot Rothwell returned, as did Sid James. In a modern-day setting, it features Sid James as a department storeFather Christmas, whose out-of-character behaviour puts him at odds with the store manager. James also introduces sketches set in Christmases past, and a "Carry On" ballet performance.
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The Carry On Christmas Specials were four one off specials produced for Thames Television made in 1969 1970 1972 and 1973 They brought most of the cast and the formula of the Carry On films to a television production Barbara Windsor was the only one to appear in all four Carry On Christmas specials Kenneth Williams who appeared in twenty six Carry On films the most of any of the Carry On stars did not appear in any of the Christmas specials Contents 1 Carry on Christmas 1969 1 1 Description 1 2 Cast 2 Carry On Again Christmas 1970 2 1 Description 2 2 Cast 3 Carry On Christmas or Carry On Stuffing 1972 3 1 Description 3 2 Cast 4 Carry On Christmas 1973 4 1 Description 4 2 Cast 5 Carry On Laughing s Christmas Classics 1983 6 DVD release 7 References 8 External linksCarry on Christmas 1969 EditDescription Edit The first special Carry On Christmas was broadcast in 1969 It was filmed shortly after the completion of Carry on Up the Jungle and featured the same main cast from that film It was scripted by long term Carry On author Talbot Rothwell The story was an irreverent take on Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol featuring Sid James as Scrooge The Christmas Past sequence reveals that Scrooge failed to invest in the schemes of Dr Frank N Stein who assisted by his servant Count Dracula sought to create a mate for Barbara Windsor s Monster The Christmas Present sequence described Robert Browning s difficulties in attempting to elope with Elizabeth Barrett without funds thanks to Scrooge s unwillingness to lend The Christmas Future sequence retold the story of Cinderella Cast Edit Starring RolesSid James Ebenezer ScroogeTerry Scott Dr Frank N Stein Convent Girl Mr Barrett BaggieCharles Hawtrey Spirit of Christmas Past Angel Convent Girl ButtonsHattie Jacques Elizabeth Barrett Nun Passer byBarbara Windsor Cinderella Fanny Spirit of Christmas PresentPeter Butterworth Count Dracula Beggar Convent Girl HaggieBernard Bresslaw Bob Cratchit Frankenstein s Monster Spirit of Christmas Future Convent Girl Town Crier PolicemanFrankie Howerd Robert Browning Fairy GodmotherCarry On Again Christmas 1970 EditDescription Edit The second special Carry On Again Christmas was shown the following year Rothwell did not script this episode but Sid Colin who had co written Carry On Spying with Rothwell wrote the episode with Dave Freeman who would go on to script Carry On Behind several episodes of the Carry On Laughing television series and was the co writer of the 1992 film Carry On Columbus Based on the Robert Louis Stevenson story Treasure Island this episode saw the Carry on debut of Wendy Richard who would go on to have small roles in Carry On Matron and Carry On Girls Although the 1969 special was broadcast in colour the 1970 special was shown in black and white due to a technicians strikes that caused Thames Television to broadcast all their Christmas shows that year in black and white Cast Edit Starring RolesSid James Long John SilTerry Scott Squire TreyhornayCharles Hawtrey Old Blind Pew Night Watchman Nipper the FlipperKenneth Connor Dr LivershakeBarbara Windsor Jim HawkinsBernard Bresslaw Rollicky BillBob Todd Ben Gunn ShipmateWendy Richard KateCarry On Christmas or Carry On Stuffing 1972 EditDescription Edit In 1972 a new Christmas special was produced entitled Carry On Christmas or Carry On Stuffing Talbot Rothwell became ill whilst writing the script and was unable to finish it Dave Freeman had to be brought in to complete the script but the two men did not work together Charles Hawtrey pulled out of the special at short notice Having taken third billing to Sid James and Terry Scott in the previous two shows and knowing they would both be absent Hawtrey demanded top billing But Carry On producer Peter Rogers refused giving top billing to Hattie Jacques instead Hawtrey s role had hastily to be recast and was split between Norman Rossington and Brian Oulton both of whom had played cameo roles in several Carry On films The special featured a collection of historical sketches loosely linked around an 18th century banquet It included a performance of two madrigals originally written for Carry On Henry 1 The songs reappeared in the 1973 stage show Carry On London 1 Cast Edit Starring RolesHattie Jacques Maid Miss Molly Coddle Lady Fiona Harriet The Good FairyJoan Sims Maid Lady Rhoda Cockhorse Mother Esmeralda Princess YoYoBarbara Windsor Maid Eve Virginia AladdinKenneth Connor Sir Henry Lieutenant Banghem Hanky PooPeter Butterworth Sir Francis Fiddler Captain Dripping Lieutenant Trembler Hole in OneJack Douglas Mr Perkin Adam Tomkins Ringworm King of the UnderworldNorman Rossington General Sir Ffingham Clodhopper GenieBrian Oulton Oriental OratorBilly Cornelius WaiterValerie Leon Serving WenchValerie Stanton Demon King s VisionCarry On Christmas 1973 EditDescription Edit For the final original Christmas special writer Talbot Rothwell returned as did Sid James In a modern day setting it features Sid James as a department store Father Christmas whose out of character behaviour puts him at odds with the store manager James also introduces sketches set in Christmases past and a Carry On ballet performance Cast Edit Starring RolesSid James Sid Belcher Santa Seedpod Sir Henry Sergeant Ball Robin HoodJoan Sims Mother Sennapod Bishop s Wife Adelle Salvation Army Woman Maid Marion Traffic WardenBarbara Windsor Virginia Crompet Lady Frances FifiKenneth Connor Shop Manager Anthro Pod The Bishop Private Parkin Will ScarletPeter Butterworth Carol Singer 2001 BC Old Man Darts Player 2nd German Soldier Friar TuckBernard Bresslaw Peapod Camp Aristocrat Darts Player Captain Ffingburgh Much PolicemanJack Douglas Carol Singer 2001 BC Crapper 1st German Soldier Ballad SingerJulian Holloway Captain RoseLaraine Humphrys Bed CustomerCarry On Laughing s Christmas Classics 1983 EditKenneth Williams and Barbara Windsor introduce some of the funniest moments from the later Carry On films in a format very similar to the film That s Carry On DVD release EditIn 2005 the first four specials were released on DVD featuring interviews with series producer Peter Rogers and stars Jack Douglas and Wendy Richard References Edit a b Ross Robert The Carry On Companion B T Batsford London 1996 ISBN 0 7134 7967 1 pp 93 94External links EditCarry On Films at The Whippit Inn Carry On Line Official Website of the Carry On films Carry On Christmas 1969 at IMDb Carry On Again Christmas 1970 at IMDb Carry On Christmas or Carry On Stuffing 1972 at IMDb Carry On Christmas 1973 at IMDb Carry on Laughing s Christmas Classics at IMDb Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Carry On Christmas Specials amp oldid 1169564225, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
