Carry On Cowboy

Carry On Cowboy is a classic entry in the long-running British 'Carry On' comedy film series. Released in 1965, the film is a spoof of traditional western films and features a star-studded cast including formidable comedy stalwarts such as Sidney James, Kenneth Williams, and Jim Dale.

The main storyline of Carry On Cowboy revolves around a charming, yet eccentric town called Stodge City, placed amidst the Wild West. An intriguing mix of slapstick and wit, the film cleverly intertwines elements of cowboy culture with its signature British humor. Although mocked-up with comedic undertones, the movie beautifully captures the essence of the cowboy-dominated era it is set in, with its half-baked villains, complex politics, and western-style duels.

The film features Sidney James in the role of Johnny Finger, also known as the Rumpo Kid, a suave outlaw who effortlessly outrides and outshoots local lawmen. James' performance blends a charismatic, larger-than-life cowboyish persona with a sly sense of humor, helping him to maintain a balance between humorous high jinks and western machismo.

Kenneth Williams is cast as the earnest Judge Burke, whose plight involves trying to maintain law and order in the anarchic Stodge City while dealing with an unhealthy fear of guns. This role offers Williams the opportunity to portray a complex character - a man who, despite his lofty judicial position, is hilariously out of his depth in the rough-and-tumble world of the Old West. His character forms a key part of the film's humor due to his extreme aversion to violence and his short-sighted methods of countering lawlessness.

Jim Dale plays Marshall P. Knutt, an out-of-town sanitary engineer mistaken for a lawman, who ultimately finds himself as the unexpected hero of the story. Dale's portrayal adds a good measure of natural spontaneity and fun to this role, blending perfectly with the established Carry On humor while also weaving in elements of traditional Western heroism.

One cannot forget to mention Joan Sims' character, the saloon owner Belle, whose slightly scandalous yet endearing personality is a constant source of amusement. Additionally, the movie also prides itself in having character actors like Peter Butterworth, Bernard Bresslaw, and Angela Douglas, whose contribution to the overall humorous ambiance is unparalleled.

The genius of Carry On Cowboy lies in the brilliant blending of two contrasting cultural spheres - the rough, wild-west cowboy culture and typically British, slightly bawdy humor. The film maintains its comic ambiance by taking advantage of all the cliches and tropes one would associate with traditional westerns and spinning them into hilarious scenarios with unexpected outcomes.

Directed by Gerald Thomas and written by series regular, Talbot Rothwell, Carry On Cowboy's screenplay is cleverly structured and planted with tongue-in-cheek, innuendo-laden comedy that became a trademark of the series. Despite its distinct British comedy, the film never crosses the line into absurdity and maintains a gentle, funny, and occasionally even sweet ambiance throughout.

In loving homage to classical westerns, the costume design, set pieces, and background scores of the film strike a balance, thereby attracting the audience to the cowboy milieu. They help establish the western ambiance while also serving as tools for humor. The predominantly male ensemble cast is kitted out in cowboy attire, with boots, guns, and cowboy hats prominent in nearly every scene, while the set exudes an undeniable frontier atmosphere.

Visually, the film maintains a vintage aesthetic, with theatrically vivid sets, period costumes, and carefully choreographed shootouts and bar brawls. The cinematography by Alan Hume manages to capture and showcase every slapstick moment and stunt sequence, enhancing and elevating the humor.

In conclusion, Carry On Cowboy is a film brimming with hijinks and humor. The comedic genius and versatility of the cast, coupled with clever writing and direction, make it a delightful watch. If you're a lover of nostalgic, classic British comedy with a penchant for old westerns, then Carry On Cowboy is a film that deserves your time and admiration. This movie is sure to transport viewers into an infectiously hilarious whirlwind of western fun and British comedy.