Carry on Sergeant (1958)

Director:

Gerald Thomas

Writers:

Norman Hudis (screenplay)
John Antrobus (additional material)

Release Date:

August 1958 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | War

Tagline:

It's an On-the-Ball Riot About an Off-Limits Romance

Plot:

Sergeant Grimshaw wants to retire in the flush of success by winning the Star Squad prize with his very...

Plot Keywords:

Sergeant | Carry On | Beautiful Woman | Nco | Naafi

Cast

William Hartnell	...	Sergeant Grimshawe
Shirley Eaton	...	Mary Sage
Eric Barker	...	Captain Potts
Dora Bryan	...	Norah
Bill Owen	...	Corporal Bill Copping
Charles Hawtrey	...	Peter Golightly
Kenneth Connor	...	Horace Strong
Kenneth Williams	...	James Bailey
Terence Longdon	...	Miles Heywood
Norman Rossington	...	Herbert Brown
Gerald Campion	...	Andy Calloway
Hattie Jacques	...	Captain Clark
Cyril Chamberlain	...	Gun Sergeant
Arnold Diamond	...	Fifth Specialist
Gordon Tanner	...	First Specialist

Also Known As:

Carry on Sergeant! (UK) (poster title)

Runtime:

84 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

UK:U | USA:Approved (PCA #19423) | Australia:G (DVD rating) | Australia:PG (VHS rating) | Finland:K-8

Filming Locations:

Cardwells Keep, Stoughton Road, Stoughton, Surrey, England, UK

Company:

Peter Rogers Productions

Trivia:

'Terry Skelton' was cast as a recruit but dropped out before filming.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Sgt Grimshawe throws the rifle to Strong, during Bayonet drill, the rifle is caught by Strong the opposite way around.

Quotes:

James Bailey: [During bayonet practice:] Don't you think this is a trifle out of date in a world bristling with H-Bombs, Sergeant?
[Golightly charges, only to get caught up in the hanging sack]
Sgt. Grimshawe: Private Bailey, in answer to your question, I'd back him against the H-Bomb any day!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Kenneth Williams: Fantabulosa! (2006) (TV)

The first and best.

Carry on Sergeant is not what I would regard as authentic of National Service life, but it is a very funny film, with some romantic additions to make up the story. I thought that the best performance was that of Kenneth Connor, who thought he had everything wrong with him,but was really in great shape. Hattie Jacques played a great part as the Matron who was trying to convince him of this. People who have done National Service would enjoy the film more than those who have not, but it is a good laugh for anyone. Interesting contributions from Dora Bryan and Shirley Eaton, also Eric Barker looked the part as the Commissioned Officer. There were interesting contributions from Gerald Campion, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtry and William Hartnell, who made a good Sergeant, also from Bill Owen as the Corporal. Look out for Bob Monkhouse putting the Bren gun together. I liked the scene near the beginning when Grimshawe meets his Platoon, and Private Bailey tells him to be quiet whilst lying on his bed reading. The recruits certainly started off well,spending their first evening in the naafi,having a pint of beer! That's the way to do it!