Carry On Emmannuelle
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Carry On Emmannuelle | |
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![]() Original UK quad poster | |
Directed by | Gerald Thomas |
Written by | Lance Peters |
Produced by | Peter Rogers |
Starring | Kenneth Williams Kenneth Connor Joan Sims Jack Douglas Peter Butterworth Beryl Reid Suzanne Danielle |
Cinematography | Alan Hume |
Edited by | Peter Boita |
Music by | Eric Rogers |
Production company | |
Distributed by | TheRank Organisation Hemdale |
Release date |
|
Running time | 88 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Budget | £349,302[2] |
Box office | £48,003[2] |
Carry On Emmannuelleis a 1978British comedyfilm, the 30th release in theseries of 31Carry Onfilms(1958–1992). The film was to be the finalCarry Onfor many regulars, includingKenneth Williams(in his 26thCarry On),Kenneth Connor(in his 17th),Joan Sims(in her 24th) andPeter Butterworth(in his 16th).Jack Douglasis the only regular from this film to bridge the gap toCarry On Columbus.Beryl Reid,Henry McGeeandSuzanne Daniellemake their only appearances in the series here. The film featured a change in style, becoming more openly sexual and explicit. This was highlighted by the implied behaviour of Danielle's character, though she does not bare any more flesh than any otherCarry Onfemale lead. These changes brought the film closer to the then popular series ofX-ratedConfessions...comedies, or indeed the actualEmmanuellefilms that it parodies. This film, as well as the initial release ofCarry On England,were the only films in the series to be certifiedAAby theBritish Board of Film Censors,which restricted audiences to those aged 14 and over. The film was followed by the final installment of the seriesCarry On Columbusin 1992.
Plot
[edit]Emmannuelle Prévert relieves the boredom of a flight onConcordeby seducing timid Theodore Valentine. She returns home to London to surprise her husband, the French ambassador Émile Prevert, but first surprises the butler, Lyons. He removes her coat, only to find that she has left her dress on the aircraft. The chauffeur, Leyland, housekeeper, Mrs Dangle, and aged boot-boy, Richmond sense saucy times ahead… and they are right! Émile is dedicated to his bodybuilding, leaving a sexually frustrated Emmannuelle to find pleasure with everyone from the Lord Chief Justice to chat show host Harold Hump. Theodore is spurned by Emmannuelle, who has genuinely forgotten their airborne encounter, and despite reassurances from his mother, exacts revenge by revealing Emmannuelle's antics to the press. However, after a visit to her doctor, she discovers that she is pregnant and decides to settle down to a faithful marriage with Émile… and dozens of children.
Cast
[edit]- Kenneth Williamsas Émile Prévert
- Suzanne Danielleas Emmannuelle Prévert
- Kenneth Connoras Leyland
- Jack Douglasas Lyons
- Joan Simsas Mrs. Dangle
- Peter Butterworthas Richmond
- Larry Dannas Theodore Valentine
- Beryl Reidas Mrs. Valentine
- Henry McGeeas Harold Hump
- Victor Maddernas Man in Launderette
- Dino Shafeekas Immigration Officer
- Eric Barkeras Ancient General
- Joan Benhamas Cynical Lady
- Albert Mosesas Doctor
- Robert Dorningas Prime Minister
- Steve Plytasas Arabian Official
- Michael Nightingaleas Police Commissioner
- Bruce Boaas U.S. Ambassador
- Llewellyn Reesas Lord Chief Justice
- Jack Lynn as Admiral
- Claire Davenportas Blonde in Pub
- Norman Mitchellas Drunken Husband
- Tricia Newby as Nurse in Surgery
- James Fagan as Concorde Steward
- Malcolm Johns as Sentry
- Howard Nelsonas Harry Hernia
- Tim Brintonas BBC Newscaster
- Corbett Woodallas ITN Newscaster
- Marianne Maskell as Nurse in Hospital
- Louise Burton as Girl at Zoo
- Gertan Klauberas German Soldier
- John Carlinas French Parson
- Guy Ward as Dandy
- John Halletas Substitute Football Player
- Deborah Brayshaw as French Buxom Blonde
- Suzanna East as Colette
- Bruce Wylie as Football Referee
- Philip Clifton as Injured Footballer
- Stanley McGeagh as Fleet Street Journalist
- Bill Hutchinson as 1st Reporter
- Neville Ware as 2nd Reporter
- Jane Norman as 3rd reporter
- Nick White as Sent-off Footballer
Crew
[edit]- Screenplay – Lance Peters
- Music –Eric Rogers
- Song –Kenny Lynch
- Performers – Masterplan
- Director of Photography –Alan Hume
- Editor – Peter Boita
- Art Director – Jack Sampan
- Production Manager – Roy Goddard
- Camera Operator – Godfrey Godar
- Make-up – Robin Grantham
- Production Executive for Cleves – Donald Langdon
- Assistant Director – Gregory Dark
- Sound Recordists – Danny Daniel & Otto Snel
- Continuity – Marjorie Lavelly
- Wardrobe – Margaret Lewin
- Stills Cameraman – Ken Bray
- Hairdresser – Betty Sherriff
- Costume Designer – Courtenay Elliott
- Set Dresser – John Hoesli
- Assistant Editor – Jack Gardner
- Dubbing Editor – Peter Best
- Titles & Opticals – GSE Ltd
- Processor – Technicolor Ltd
- Producer –Peter Rogers
- Director –Gerald Thomas
Filming and locations
[edit]- Filming dates – 10 April-15 May 1978
Interiors:
- Pinewood Studios,Buckinghamshire
Exteriors:
- Wembley,London
- Trafalgar Square,London
- Oxford Street,London
- London Zoo,London
Critical reception
[edit]Critical response was universally negative, even more so thanCarry on Englandwhich preceded it, andCarry On Columbuswhich succeeded it 14 years later.Philip Frenchsaid of it: "This relentless sequence of badly-written, badly-timed dirty jokes is surely one of the most morally and aesthetically offensive pictures to emerge from a British studio."[3]Christopher Tookey considered the film to be "embarrassingly feeble".[4]In the 1980s Williams himself said of the film: "The script left a lot to be desired and I have to admit that I found many of the jokes quite repulsive". The film performed poorly at the box office[5]and during the first two decades following its release it was only broadcast on UK television in a late night slot, leading author Adrian Rigelsford to comment in 1996 that out of the thirty-oneCarry Onfilms it was "the one that barely anybody's seen".[6]
Whilst many otherCarry Onshave continued to be popular, opinions ofCarry on Emmannuelleand its immediate predecessor and successor have not improved over the passing of time, andCarry On Emmannuelleis often considered to be the worst film in the series. Tom Cole, writing in theRadio Times,found it "undignified" and "laugh-free", noting that theLolita-esque performance of Suzanne Danielle was "unintentionally creepy".[7]And both Cole and Ian Freer, writing forEmpire,laid the blame for the death of the series squarely at the film's door.[8]
In a 2018 retrospective on the series, theBritish Film InstitutenamedCarry On Emmannuelleas one of the series' five worst films, alongsideCarry On Girls(1973),Carry on England(1976),That's Carry On!(1977), andCarry On Columbus(1992).[9]
In 2023, actorLarry Danndedicated a chapter of his autobiography "Oh, What A Lovely Memoir" to share his memories of the making of this production, where he recalls members of the audience walking out before the credits rolled.[10][page needed]
References
[edit]- ^Angelini, Sergio (2003–2014)."The Carry On Legacy".BFI Screenonline.Retrieved18 December2019.
- ^abChapman, J. (2022). The Money Behind the Screen: A History of British Film Finance, 1945-1985. Edinburgh University Press p 357. Income is distributor's receipts, combined domestic and international, as at 31 Dec 1978.
- ^Hughes, Scott (26 April 2001)."The worst movie ever?".The Guardian.
- ^Tookey, Chris."Carry On Emmanuelle".Movie Film Review.Archived fromthe originalon 25 November 2018.
- ^Rigelsford (1996),p. 122–123.
- ^Rigelsford (1996),p. 189.
- ^Cole, Tom (11 August 2011)."Attack of the Killer Bs: Carry On Emmannuelle (1978)".Radio Times.
- ^Freer, Ian (9 July 2006)."Carry On Emmannuelle Review".Empire.
- ^Mitchell, Neil (23 November 2018)."The 5 best Carry Ons… and the 5 worst".British Film Institute.Archivedfrom the original on 15 April 2023.Retrieved12 April2024.
- ^Dann, Larry (2023)."Oh, What a Lovely Memoir".Devonfire Books.ISBN978-1838281946.
Bibliography
[edit]- Dann, Larry (2023).Oh, What A Lovely Memoir.Cambridge: Devonfire Books.ISBN978-1838281946.
- Davidson, Andy (2012).Carry On Confidential.London: Miwk.ISBN978-1908630018.
- Sheridan, Simon (2011).Keeping the British End Up – Four Decades of Saucy Cinema.London: Titan Books.ISBN978-0857682796.
- Webber, Richard (2009).50 Years of Carry On.London: Arrow.ISBN978-0099490074.
- Hudis, Norman (2008).No Laughing Matter.London: Apex.ISBN978-1906358150.
- Sheridan, Simon (2011).Keeping the British End Up: Four Decades of Saucy Cinema(fourth edition). Titan Books.
- Ross, Robert (2002).The Carry On Companion.London: Batsford.ISBN978-0713487718.
- Bright, Morris; Ross, Robert (2000).Mr Carry On – The Life & Work of Peter Rogers.London: BBC Books.ISBN978-0563551836.
- Rigelsford, Adrian (1996).Carry On Laughing – a celebration.London: Virgin.ISBN1-85227-554-5.
- Hibbin, Sally & Nina (1988).What a Carry On.London: Hamlyn.ISBN978-0600558194.
- Eastaugh, Kenneth (1978).The Carry On Book.London: David & Charles.ISBN978-0715374030.
External links
[edit]- Carry On EmmannuelleatIMDb
- Carry On Emmannuellethen-and-now location photographs atReelStreets
- 1978 films
- Carry On films
- 1970s English-language films
- Films directed by Gerald Thomas
- British parody films
- British sex comedy films
- 1970s sex comedy films
- Films shot at Pinewood Studios
- Emmanuelle
- Films produced by Peter Rogers
- 1978 comedy films
- 1970s British films
- 1970s French films
- Films scored by Eric Rogers (composer)