Carry on at Your Convenience [DVD] [1971]

Carry On At Your Convenience (1971) drew a mixed response from critics and fans. Some fans claim that this is one of the very finest of the series, displaying the true spirit of the Carry On phemenon. The film however served as a disappointment in Box Office terms with it not nearly enjoying as much success as either Henry (1970) or Loving (1970). However this stands as one of the best of the 1970's Carry On and the usual roster of regulars (apart from Barbara Windsor and Kenneth Connor) are all present and evidently in high spirit.

Long time toilet manufacturers W.C Boggs & Son seems set to crumble as their union representative, Vic Spanner (Kenneth Cope), jumps on every possible excuse that crops up to call a strike. The company chairman Sid Plummer (Sid James) suggests that an annual outing to Brighton might be whats needed to boost work morale.

Of course there is no plot as such and the work outing scenes in Brighton could be described as something of a time-filler but it doesn't matter as there are so many laughs to be endured along the way it really doesn't matter and the cast are all top form. Sid James is his usual, double-dealing, rogue-like self who spends half his cash down at the bookies. Hattie Jaques puts in one of her funniest and most concentrated characterisations as a dowdy housewife who spends most of her time talking to a budgie who Sid discovers (much to his delight) can predict the winners in horse racing. Highly amusing stuff! The Brighton scenes work well and there is some lovely dialogue between Sid James and Joan Sims at the end of the trip where they blatantly comtemplate spending the night together but relent knowing full well that they'd be in trouble with their spouses if one of the neighbours was to see them. Also included are Kenneth Williams as Mr. Boggs, Charles Hawtrey in a small but amusing supporting role, Bernard Bresslaw in one of his more familiar characterisations, Patsy Rolands as Miss. Withering, Jaki Piper as the Canteen girl and daughter of Sid Plummer, Richard O' Callaghan as the pompous Lewis Boggs, Bill Maynard as Joan Sims husband and Renee Houston in a fantastic cameo as Vic Spanners ferocious, domineering mother. Her characterisation is used to great comic effect and her timing is impeccable. All in all a classic entry in the series and one that is highly recommended.

I like this entry in the series, I really do. Many others however find it a dud and feel that it should be flushed down one of the toilets that feature at W.C. Boggs' factory in the film. Blending the obvious toilet gags with a tale about unionised shop floors, the Carry On team have actually crafted one of the franchise's less mucky pictures. Sid James, so long the bastion of sexually driven lechery in Carry On folklore, has a very restrained role in this one, and this to me somewhat explains to an extent why "Convenience" is often shunned by the series fans.

Elsewhere it's the subplots away from the factory that put the smile on my face. Charles Hawtrey is indulging in strip poker with shop steward, Vic Spanner's, mother!. While James' Sid Plummer is getting horse racing winners from his budgie,! all under the watchful eye of his apparently scatty wife Beattie {a terrific Hattie Jacques}. Sexy eye candy for us blokes comes in the form of Jacki Piper, and the film finale on the Brighton seaside is drunken buffoonery to at least raise a giggle or two. Not the best Carry On by a long shot predicted by Sid's budgie, but certainly not one of the worst either. 6.5/10

Apart from 'England','Emmanuelle' and 'Columbus' I love the Carry On films and have seen all of them at least 10 times over the years. Seeing each film is like visiting an old friend and my two favourite mates are 'Screaming' and 'At Your Convenience'.
Possibly the only film in history to be set in a toilet factory this film is pure gold - consistantly funny and despite the doom and gloom of unions and strikes this movie has a definate feel good quality about it. All the cast are clearly having the time of their lives and it's so good to watch them in the various set pieces Talbot Rothwells brilliant script throws at them. Sid and his Budgie are hilarious - "Ta daddy, Ta daddy, TA!!!" (makes me laugh just thinking about it), Richard O'Callaghans pursuit of Jacki Piper (in my opinion the most beautiful Carry On regular) and especially the trip to Brighton are just three good reasons for watching this film - the Brighton section would have made a terrific film in it's own right. Shame they didn't do it. Kenneth Cope plays his part perfectly as does everyone.Bernard Blesslaw is at his bumbling best and Sid James and Kenneth Williams just be themselves but there's nothing wrong with that - it's always a joy to watch them.
Seriously if you only ever watch 2 Carry On movies make sure this is one of them (And 'Screaming'!)
Brilliant film and in my all time top 20 movies list.
Buy it, I'm now off to watch it!!