Carry On Again Christmas (1970)

or
Carry On Long John
or
I'm Worried about Jim Hawkins

9.10pm - 24th December 1970

"We already have a Cabin Boy, How do you fancy the Cook?"

"Well I'll have a look at him first!"

DVD UK

50 min Black and White

The Stars
	Sid James Terry Scott Charles Hawtrey Kenneth Connor Barbara Windsor Bernard Bresslaw Bob Todd Wendy Richard	Long John Silver Squire Treyhornay Old Blind Pugh, Night watchman, Nipper the Flipper Dr Livershake Jim Hawkins Rollicky Bill Ben Gunn, Shipmate Kate

The Crew
Screenplay Producer Director	Dave Freeman & Sid Colin Alan Tarrant Alan Tarrant

Synopsis

After the success of the first Christmas special it was inevitable that we would see the Carry Oners on screen again, it’s just a shame that the script provided by Dave Freeman and Sid Colin wasn’t up to scratch. It was also made cheaper by being in black and white.

The cast is again top-hole but Freeman’s script never sparkles like Rothwell’s did for the first one, (and even some of the gags used in this, re-appear in Carry On Columbus, word for word), so it is a good job the comedians more than make up for the lack of content in quality.

Being a Christmas special and Rothwell last time using the classic Christmas theme of Christmas Carol, they have gone this time for Robert Louis Stephenson’s adventure story, Treasure Island, but set it on Christmas Eve.

It is a narrative story more akin to the Carry On films than the previous Christmas special’s loosely connected sketch format, and has some good roles for the team.

Sid James takes on the central role of Long John Silver as he searches for Flint’s hidden treasure, but he is barely furnished with any gags at all. The plum role goes to Terry Scott as Squire Treyhornay and he is obviously comfortable in the claustrophobic atmosphere of the TV studios and live audience. Barbara plays off against him gender-bendering as Jim Hawkins with Barbara playing the character unconvincingly as a man, which is intentional.

Although the basic plot is taken straight from Carry On Jack, with the main characters from that film played by Terry Scott and Barbara Windsor; it is interwoven in to the Treasure Island plot quite skilfully.

Charles Hawtrey supports with three smaller roles and is memorable as Blind Pugh and minces a rare delight in the latter part of the show.