Carry On Sergeant

Carry On Sergeant is a classic 1958 British comedy film directed by Gerald Thomas and produced by Peter Rogers. This lighthearted comedy is the first in the renowned Carry On film series known for its unique blend of slapstick, innuendoes, and memorable one-liners. The film features a star-studded cast including the witty Kenneth Williams, the comical Charles Hawtrey, and the industrious William Hartnell.

Set primarily in the fictitious Gravestone Barracks, Carry On Sergeant manages to satirize the National Service of the late 50s by expressing the often-humorous antics of new military recruits under the command of a veteran sergeant. William Hartnell gives an excellent performance as Sgt. Grimshawe, a career army man who’s looking forward to imminent retirement, but not before he wins the coveted Champion Platoon award for the last time. With this in mind, he is eager to shape his last group of recruits into a commendable platoon that can outshine the others in a military competition.

However, his plans are complicated by the distinctly unpromising raw material he has to work with, comprising an inept group of conscripts known as the “awkward squad”. This mix of characters includes the effete Kenneth Williams as James Bailey, the serious-minded intellectual who consistently fails to grasp the basic tenets of military service. Charles Hawtrey, on the other hand, offers comic relief as Peter Golightly, a naive and unworldly character, always finding himself at the wrong place at the wrong time. The clash of personalities quickly leads to a series of calamities, leaving the audience in fits of laughter throughout the film.

While the recruits struggle to follow basic orders and adapt to military life, subplots interlace the main story adding depth and variety to the film. There is a romantic arc involving a young recruit named Charlie Sage, who is played brilliantly by Bob Monkhouse. Charlie’s recent marriage to Mary becomes the source of much humor and unfortunate misunderstandings, leading to a myriad of comical and awkward situations as he tries to juggle military obligations and newly-married life.

As the competition approaches, Sgt. Grimshawe is on the brink of despair with his hapless recruits. However, the spirit of unity and the resilience of the human spirit plays a strong undercurrent throughout, particularly in the face of adversity. As these hapless recruits start to pull together, the film becomes less about their individual follies and more about what they may be able to accomplish as a team – however ludicrous their actions may be.

Carry On Sergeant showcases Harold Siddons and R. J. Kizer's knack for creating hilarious, fast-paced and often farcical scripts that manage to maintain a delightfully enjoyable ambiance, regardless of the chaotic events unfurling on their pages. Ralph Thomas’s direction, furthermore, does a wonderful job of intertwining character arcs and hilarity, which are two of the film's biggest strengths.

The film is notable not just for introducing the Carry On series but also for its ability to deal with the melodrama in a respectful manner while continuing to be uproariously funny. The movie provides a wonderful pastiche of British military life of the period, and it is enhanced by an excellent ensemble cast who would become familiar faces in the subsequent Carry On films, each bringing their unique comedic touch to the iconic characters they portray.

In summary, Carry On Sergeant is a classic comedy that uses effective satire to take a comedic swing at military life while presenting deeply humorous and lovable characters that resonate with audiences. Its mix of comedy, romantic subplot, and a parade of eccentric characters all contribute to its lasting appeal. The film remains a beloved classic and a fantastic entry point to the larger Carry On series, making it a must-watch for those who appreciate British humor at its absolute best.