The
lowdown: William Hartnell has the starring role of Sergeant
Grimshaw in the very first film in the long-running
'Carry On' series. Grimshaw
is based at the Heathercrest National Service Depot, and is responsible
for training men who
have just joined the army
for National Service. Grimshaw is about to retire, and wants the last intake
he trains to be a
champion platoon, for the
first and last time in his six years as a training sergeant. Despite not
being a gambling man,
Grimshaw makes a bet with
his fellow sergeants that he can achieve his goal. With 50 pounds riding
on his success
or failure, there is much
at stake.
Unfortunately, Able Troop
is less than impressive; they include a newlywed who is pining for his
new wife, a hypochondriac
and an intellectual. The
film follows the troop's progress as they struggle with basic army training,
while love is always on
the minds of some recruits.
It seems Sgt Grimshaw is destined to retire without having a champion platoon,
but when
Able Troop learn of his
bet and his impending retirement, they vow to give him a successful send-off..
The
verdict: This is a very enjoyable and entertaining film, of
a kind that film studios simply do not make any more. It is
very different from the
typical 'Carry On' film that most people remember (usually with a cringe),
and in fact is more like the
Ealing films of the 1960s.
While some of the actors who were to become 'Carry On' regulars are present,
William Hartnell
is definitely the star.
Who
should watch it: Anybody who enjoys British humour, particularly
the gentle, good-natured humour of the 1950s
and 1960s. Fans of Doctor
Who's early years should also watch it, if only to see William Hartnell
in a role that proves his
versality and talent as
an actor. While many of the later 'Carry on' films have humour that may
not be suitable for younger
viewers, this is a film
that the whole family can enjoy.
Trivia:
'Carry on Sergeant grossed
£500,000 at the UK box office when it was released in August 1958.
It cost about £73,000 to make.
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