Carry
On Loving Trivia
- Scriptwriter Talbot Rothwell was hard at work on this
effort in October 1969, even before the previous film, Carry On Up The
Jungle, had started shooting at Pinewood Studios. Indeed, Talbot had begun
work on the new film even before his contract had been drawn up. At this
stage Peter Rogers had commissioned a marriage agency comedy under the title
of Carry On Courting. Even as late as October 1974 when legal documents were
being filed away for “long term store” this original title stuck. However,
by the time of the pre-production meeting on 25th March 1970 the title had
been changed to Carry On Loving. Indeed, Peter Rogers had registered the
title with the Film Production Association of Great Britain in November
1970; along with another title, Girls That Go Bump In The Night, which sadly
was never put into production.
- Although the Carry On battle with the British Board
of Film Classification had been hotting up of late, ironically this most
passionate of subjects sailed through the vetting of the censor with ease.
Unfortunately the Censors in Eire, Northern Ireland, were always more
puritan and refused to grant the film a certificate. Even a re-submission in
January 1973 failed to break the dead-lock.
- Fittingly, with a more sexual and free wheeling plot
than usual, an influx of new talent was introduced to complement the latest
Carry On girl, Jacki Piper, Imogen Hassall and Richard O’Callaghan
successfully merged with the established team players. Indeed, the Times
applauded the naïve performance of Richard O’Callaghan and reflected on how
refreshing it was to see a new face in the series, he “plays the obligatory
innocent with absolutely the right single-minded seriousness and apparent
unconsciousness of the humour of his own situation”.
- Peter Butterworth was awarded the memorable cameo
role simply identified as: Client “mushrooms”, in the script. His dead-pan
delivery of the corny, murderous gag was intended to be a ‘surprise’
appearance. Paid £125 for just the one day’s work, on 10th April 1970,
Peter’s contract included the clause that “It is agreed that no screen
credit will be accorded to the Artist in connection with the said film.”
Peter clearly relished the role, however. On 12th May 1970 he sent producer
Peter Rogers a telegraph: “Very much regret unable to attend party tonight
but am cooking some mushroom patties for wife’s supper.” Another cameo role,
that of Mr Roxby, was sadly cut from the final print. The part was played by
Dad’s Army actor James Beck, the beloved wide-boy Private Walker from 1968
until his untimely death in 1973. The glamorous Yutte Stensgaard played his
wife and also ended up on the cutting room floor.
- Publicity for Carry On Loving was full-on, with
Imogen Hassall and Jacki Piper featured in TitBits and the entire cast
paraded for local newspaper stories. One of the wackiest promotional
suggestions was for local cinemas showing the film to organise a street
parade of thirteen glamorous young ladies in mini skirts and sweaters each
one to be emblazoned with a letter spelling out the film. It was hoped that
the participants could stay in order!
- Richard O'Callaghan who plays Bertie Muffet is Patricia
Hayes' son. She played Mrs Beasley in Carry On Again Doctor.
- Charles Hawtrey refused to play the part of Mr Bedsop
because Peter Rogers said he shouldn't have third billing due to the size of
Hattie Jacques part, and his part being small. Rogers relented in the
end.
- The building used for Sid's Marriage Agency was also
used in Regardless by Sid.
- The propman had made ten model aeroplanes from milk
bottle tops for Bertie Muffet to 'play with'.
