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Carry On Henry

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Carry On Henry
Original UK quad poster byRenato Fratini
Directed byGerald Thomas
Written byTalbot Rothwell
Produced byPeter Rogers
StarringSid James
Kenneth Williams
Charles Hawtrey
Joan Sims
Terry Scott
Barbara Windsor
Kenneth Connor
CinematographyAlan Hume
Edited byAlfred Roome
Music byEric Rogers
Distributed byRank Organisation
Release date
  • 17 February 1971(1971-02-17)
Running time
86 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Budget£214,500[1]

Carry On Henryis a 1971Britishhistoricalcomedyfilm, the 21st release in theseries of 31Carry Onfilms(1958–1992). It tells a fictionalised story involvingSid JamesasHenry VIII,who chases afterBarbara Windsor's character Bettina. James and Windsor feature alongside other regularsKenneth Williams,Charles Hawtrey,Joan Sims,Terry ScottandKenneth Connor.This was the first time that Williams and Connor appeared together sinceCarry On Cleoseven years previously. The original alternative title was to beAnne of a Thousand Lays,a pun on theRichard BurtonfilmAnne of the Thousand Days,andSid Jameswears exactly the same cloak that Burton wore in that film.Harry Secombewas considered for Henry VIII when it appeared that Sid James may not be available due to possible stage commitments. James was making a lengthy appearance inSouth Africawhich was cut down when he heard he was wanted for the film and arrived back in time for the second day of shooting.

The promotional tagline, "A Great Guy With His Chopper," was inspired by the rapidly increasing popularity of modified motorcycles for which the slang termchopperwas coined.

The opening theme is a version of "Greensleeves",as arranged byEric Rogers.[2]The film was followed byCarry On at Your Convenience1971.

Casting and characterisation[edit]

Sid James playsHenry VIIIas alovable roguewho is surrounded by schemingcourtiers.Peter Rogersoriginally planned on usingHarry Secombein the title role, and in the first draft of the screenplay Henry was going to be an avid composer ofmadrigals,but the idea was shelved and Sid James took over the role. Two comedic madrigals written for the film but unused were later performed in the1972Carry On Christmasspecialand the 1973 stage showCarry On London.[3]

Plot[edit]

The film opens with a passage, which states:

This film is based on a recently discovered manuscript by one William Cobbler, which reveals that Henry VIII did in fact have two more wives. Although it was first thought that Cromwell originated the story, it is now known to be definitelyall Cobbler's... from beginning to end.

Henry VIII has his wife beheaded and quickly marries Marie ofNormandy.Theunionwas organised at the behest of bumblingCardinal Wolseyas Marie is the favourite cousin of KingFrancis I of France.Before the marriage can beconsummated,Marie eats a clove of garlic, claiming it is a Normandy tradition to eat garlic before coitus. Henry is repulsed by the smell and leaves. Marie receives amorous advances from Henry'sattachéSir Roger de Lodgerley, which she accepts.

Henry is keen to be rid of Marie and seizes the opportunity to divorce her when he discovers she is pregnant with Lodgerley's child. He imprisons her in theTower of Londonand commandsThomas Cromwellto obtain a confession of paternity from Lodgerley. Marie convinces Wolsey to send for the French ambassador, who tells Henry that Francis I is so thrilled with the successful marriage that he will give England ten thousand gold pieces. This, and the fear that the ambassador will discover Marie's imprisonment, convinces Henry to release Marie; he commands Cromwell to force a retraction of Lodgerley's confession.

Soon afterwards, Henry meets the beautiful Bettina. Bettina is the daughter of theEarl of Bristol,a punning reference toBristols.Enamoured, Henry renews his attempt to divorce Marie just as Lodgerley signs his retraction, again imprisoning Marie in the Tower. Henry comes so close to achieving the divorce that he sends Bettina to the bridal bedchamber. The handsome King Francis of France arrives on a surprise visit and finds Bettina; finding her to be a suitable wife, he asks Henry if he can marry her. Henry realises that the only way to avoid war with France is to consent. Henry arranges for Cromwell and Wolsey to beexecutedas a result of their supposed inaction. Charmed by Henry's loyalty, Marie announces that she loves him and goes into labour. Despite not being the biological father, Henry is moved by the birth of the child and promises to serve as a faithful husband and father, though he immediately meetsCatherine Howardand resolves to marry her. He rushes to stop the execution of Cromwell and Wolsey, begging for their help in divorcing Marie and ensuring marriage with Howard, but both men cry out 'carry on, executioner!'.

Cast[edit]

Filming and locations[edit]

  • Filming dates – 12 October-27 November 1970

Interiors:

Exteriors:

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^Chapman, J. (2022). The Money Behind the Screen: A History of British Film Finance, 1945-1985. Edinburgh University Press p 246.
  2. ^Edwards, Peter (2011)."Robert Farnon Society".Rfsoc.org.uk.Archived fromthe originalon 27 September 2011.Retrieved16 May2011.
  3. ^Ross, Robert.The Carry On Companion,B. T. Batsford: London, 1996.ISBN0-7134-7967-1pp 93–94

Bibliography[edit]

  • Davidson, Andy (2012).Carry On Confidential.London: Miwk.ISBN978-1-908630-01-8.
  • Sheridan, Simon (2011).Keeping the British End Up – Four Decades of Saucy Cinema.London: Titan Books.ISBN978-0-85768-279-6.
  • Webber, Richard (2009).50 Years of Carry On.London: Arrow.ISBN978-0-09-949007-4.
  • Hudis, Norman (2008).No Laughing Matter.London: Apex.ISBN978-1-906358-15-0.
  • Keeping the British End Up: Four Decades of Saucy Cinemaby Simon Sheridan (third edition) (2007) (Reynolds & Hearn Books)
  • Ross, Robert (2002).The Carry On Companion.London: Batsford.ISBN978-0-7134-8771-8.
  • Bright, Morris; Ross, Robert (2000).Mr Carry On – The Life & Work of Peter Rogers.London: BBC Books.ISBN978-0-563-55183-6.
  • Rigelsford, Adrian (1996).Carry On Laughing – a celebration.London: Virgin.ISBN1-85227-554-5.
  • Hibbin, Sally & Nina (1988).What a Carry On.London: Hamlyn.ISBN978-0-600-55819-4.
  • Eastaugh, Kenneth (1978).The Carry On Book.London: David & Charles.ISBN978-0-7153-7403-0.

External links[edit]

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