Robin Stevens (a very young Richard O’Sullivan), a pupil at Maudlin Street Secondary Modern, listens into a staff meeting in which the current and much beloved headmaster, Mr Wakefield says that he will be applying for the position of headmaster at a new school which is more beneficial for him. Robin concocts a plan to prevent this from happening as him and his friends want Mr Wakefield to stay. A Ministry of Education inspector and child psychiatrist are visiting the school and so if they can show them that the school is far from well run, they will prevent him from getting the new job.

This Carry On entry feels slightly different to the previous two as it feels like it’s aimed at a more youthful demographic. Carry On Teacher feels like a vehicle that could easily be played for children during one of the Saturday morning kids shows that were held in nearly every cinema up and down the country in those days.

The gags, therefore, feel like they’re more geared towards children especially as the school locale makes this more plausible. These are gags and pranks carried out by kids against adults which children will especially like. As an adult watching, most work, some don’t. But so what.

The jokes that involve the whole cast are the ones which are the best in my opinion. The teachers unknowingly getting drunk and when they all fall fowl of some itching powder are prime examples.

There’s also a very poignant ending with a shocking for it’s time gag in which Kenneth Williams accidentally kisses Charles Hawtrey instead of Hattie Jacques. He gets a slap for the mistake.

Fun fact- Morrissey is a huge Carry On fan. His song Late Night, Maudlin Street was obviously referencing the locale for this film. He also talks of going to see Charles Hawtrey’s Deal home when it was placed on the market, not to potentially buy it but just to have a nosey round. Morrissey also wanted Hawtrey to sing The Smiths’ song Hand in Glove years before.

3.5 out of 5 stars