DVD
The Carry On Collection (2007)
Carry On Spying (1964)

Starring: Kenneth Williams, Bernard Cribbins, Barbara Windsor, Charles Hawtrey, Eric Barker, Jim Dale and Dilys Laye
Optimum Classic
RRP: £12.99
OPTD0720
Certificate: U
Available 29 January 2007


Carry On favourite Barbara Windsor makes her debut in this outrageous send-up of the James Bond movies. Fearless agents Desmond Simpkins (Kenneth Williams) and James Bind (Charles Hawtrey), aided and abetted by the comely Agent Honeybutt (Barbara Windsor) and agent Crump (Bernard Cribbins), battle against the evil powers of international bad guys STENCH and their three cronies, Dr. Crow, Milchmann and the Fat Man. From the heat of the Casbah to the elegance of the Orient Express, the Carry On team pursues STENCH to the bitter end...

The ninth movie in the Carry On franchise sees the team spoofing the James Bond movies. A top secret chemical formula has been stolen by STENCH (the Society for the Total Extinction of Non-Conforming Humans). Agent Simpkins and his three trainees are hot on the trail, chasing the villains across the world. There are gadgets galore, and disguises are compulsory if the heroes are to win the day from The Fat Man, Milchmann (who stole the formula disguised as a milkman) and Dr. Crow.

Carry On Spying is notable for being Barbara Windsor's first introduction to the team and the fact that Sid James is again absent. Originally Charles Hawtrey's character was to be called James Bind agent 006 1/2. However Albert R. Broccoli, producer of the Bond movies, threatened legal action. And so Hawtrey's character was changed to Charlie Bind "double 0 - ooh!" It's interesting to note that the idea of a milkman stealing the plans was actually later used in a Bond movie (The Living Daylights).

This is also the last Carry On to be produced in black and white. While not one of the better Carry On movie's Carry On Spying hold a special place in a lot of fan's hearts because of how well it managed to spoof the Bond genre.

Extras include an audio commentary with Bernard Cribbins, Dilys Laye and Carry On historian Robert Ross; trivia notes; stills gallery; trailer and original textless titles.

One point worth mentioning is the fact that the DVD menu spoils the true identity of Dr. Crow. While this reveal won't be a surprise to fans of the franchise, there will be many who may have forgotten who Crow is.

An interesting movie that provides more than a few chuckles.

Darren Rea

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