Synopsis
To a police station, severely decimated by flu, are
sent four policemen, fresh from the academy whose chaotic actions actually assist
criminals not apprehend them.
Sid James, in his first Carry On film, is Sergeant
Wilkins, whose job it is to get the newcomers into shape, assisted by girlfriend Sergeant
Moon (Hattie J acques) and hindered by Inspector Mills (Eric Barker). They are faced with
posh tennis-playing Constable Potter (Leslie Phillips), superstitious Constable Constable
(Kenneth Connor) who falls for WPC Passworthy (Joan Sims) but won't do anything about it
until his horoscope tells him he can. Constable Benson (Kenneth Williams) has advanced
theories about forensic physiognomy and Special Constable Gorse (Charles Hawtrey) brings
his usual flair to his camp role, and both officers end up in drag to try and foil a gang
of shoplifters but inevitably are arrested t themselves.
The rookie recruits, who are sleeping
in spare cells, each take their turn on the beat and many comic incidents ensue such as
dogs running amok, old women being harassed, robbers aided and the general public
perplexed, but all ends well when the foursome arrest a notorious wage-snatching gang and
all is forgiven.
Very much a piece of the time, or perhaps the sort of
thing Will Hay would be in. Sid James makes his debut, replacing Ted Ray due to
contractual problems, and does a good job of playing the stern Sgt Wilkins. The
least successful of the earlier Carry Ons, perhaps due to the slight change in style of
comedy.
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