In this fourth Carry On film, a flu epidemic means that new recruits who are inexperienced and possibly unsuitable join a police force- with hilarious consequences!

The big revelation with Carry On Constable is that an actor would join the troupe who would very quickly become one of the most well-known actors associated with the franchise- Sid James. His role here is less outthere than in other films but his talent, likeability and charm still shine though. Apparently, his role was initially pigeonholed for Ted Ray but contractual complications regarding the series distributors, ABC meant that Ray was dropped from the cast.

The eccentric characters that the Carry On series is well known for are present in spades here as well whether it’s Kenneth Connor’s superstition and astronomy obsessed bobby or Leslie Phillips’ cheery posho with a roving eye.

But, its Kenneth Williams and Charles Hawtrey who steal the show. They really do bounce off each other to brilliant effect. Carry on Constable is also very daring for it’s time. Whether it’s the duo going undercover in drag to catch shoplifters in a department store or Hawtrey’s flamboyant entrance (the word ‘gay’ that he uses could mean either it’s old-fashioned meaning or the, in those days, newer meaning to denote someone who is homosexual), this is brave stuff for a mainstream film. Hawtrey’s character is never demeaned or belittled for being as camp as a row of pink tents as well, which is great to see. To think, when gay liberation blossomed in later years, a few supposed spokesmen would reject Williams and Hawtrey as pioneers.

There’s also the fantastic outdoor scenes that capture a bygone era of British life that is beautiful to behold. A lot of these were also filmed in West Ealing and Chiswick Park, a part of the world I know very well indeed. Of course, these were the days when it was usual to see bobbies on the beat. A remake based on today’s policing would be very different indeed.

4 out of 5 stars