Carry On Girls

Made during the heyday of the Carry On franchise, Carry On Girls presents a hilarious and irreverent take on beauty pageants in the city of Fircombe. In this 1973 film, the British sense of humour shines brightly as Sidney James, Barbara Windsor, Joan Sims, Kenneth Connor and others carry on their eccentric and often very British antics.

Sidney James plays the endearing Sidney Fiddler, an opportunistic local councillor in the quaint, quiet seaside town of Fircombe. Fiddler is challenged with bringing more tourists to Fircombe and in a streak of ingenious creativity, he contrives a brilliant plan. Fiddler arrives at the idea of hosting a beauty pageant, the 'Miss Fircombe' contest, to bring some much-needed glamour, excitement, and importantly, tourists to Fircombe. A beauty pageant, Sidney believes, will put Fircombe on the map, garnering both national and international attention.

However, nothing ever runs smoothly in the Carry On universe. Fiddler's seemingly foolproof plan faces stiff opposition from the local women's liberation movement, helmed by the formidable and resistant Augusta Prodworthy, played by June Whitfield. These two contrasting world views set the stage for an array of hilarious misunderstandings and chaotic disruptions.

Barbara Windsor stars as Hope Springs, a seductive entrant in the 'Miss Fircombe' contest who completely enraptures the town's ageing mayor, Frederick Bumble, played effortlessly by Kenneth Connor. The mayor's infatuation with Hope and his own duelling ideologies provide another subplot that winds amusingly through the film.

Joan Sims portrays Connie Philpotts, a charming bed and breakfast owner who finds herself caught between the local council's ambitions and the feminist activists' protests against the pageant. Her role as a pivot in these hilarious confrontations adds a touch of whimsy to the unfolding chaos.

As the plot progresses, the battle lines between the pro-pageant and anti-pageant forces become more and more defined. The 'Miss Fircombe' beauty contest becomes the centre stage for a broader fight, sparking off comedic fireworks that are characteristic of the Carry On series. The common citizens of Fircombe find themselves in the middle of this bedlam and their reaction forms the canvas on which this absurd comedy plays out.

Carry On Girls is also defined by its rib-tickling script, written by the regular Carry On team of Talbot Rothwell and Sidney Colin. The film brilliantly mocks the stereotypes associated with beauty competitions while also satirizing the women's suffrage movement of the day. The dialogue is fast-paced, raucous, and filled with innuendo that never fails to produce a laugh.

Director Gerald Thomas once again manages to maintain the light-hearted spirit of the Carry On franchise while balancing the colourful characters with a plot that only becomes more outlandishly funny as the film moves on. Iconic moments of physical comedy, double entendre, and classic slapstick abound in the film from start to finish, combined with subtle social commentary.

The comedy veteran cast members each bring something unique to the film's humour, whether it's Sidney James' opportunism, Barbara Windsor's radiant, sensual effervescence, or Kenneth Connor's hilariously pompous yet lovable mayoral character. Joan Sims' poised and sassy portrayal of the hapless, yet cunning Connie Philpotts is also a standout.

Panoramic views of the picturesque Fircombe were captured in several scenes, giving the film a vibrant backdrop, thus making it visually appealing and complimenting the vibrant storyline and the colourful characters. The cinematography, combined with the eccentric, unforgettable costume design for the beauty pageant scenes, remains delightfully 70s in flavour.

In conclusion, Carry On Girls is another amusing entry in the Carry On canon. This 1973 British comedy explores the theme of beauty contests in a small town and does so with plenty of wit, charm and slapstick humour, leaving the audience amused and entertained. It's a thoroughbred British comedy that should not be missed by any fan of the genre, making it classic Carry On fare — broad, saucy, and very, very British.