Another hospital based Carry On film follows the plights of various patients, nurses and even the hospital porters who work there.

Carry On Doctor is one of the series entries that most people know of and are most fond of. It’s also iconic as this film gave birth to the Kenneth Williams’ catchphrase of ‘Matron!’, another saying that has entered the wider consciousness, uttered in Williams’ voice when something is rude or risqué.

And the pursuit of Williams’ Dr Tinkle (one of the best character names ever) by Hattie Jacques’ matron is worth the price of admission alone. The dialogue between the two when matron tries to seduce Williams wearing seductive clothing and clutching a bottle of champagne (matron not Williams!) is some of the best of the whole series.

But there’s plenty more within the film which also makes it shine. Barbara Windsor’s frisky nurse (I love the scene in which she’s eating a pear), Charles Hawtrey’s character who is experiencing a phantom pregnancy when it’s his wife (!) who is due to give birth, the friendship of Sid James and Bernard Bresslaw’s character, the patient who is literally the Invisible Man…There’s so much to love here.

Frankie Howerd plays Francis Bigger (another great name) but is essentially playing Frankie Howerd but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that as his music hall roots are perfect for the genre of Carry On.

There’s a subplot later in the film that glues the whole film together concerning Jim Dale’s likeable doctor being fired over a misunderstanding regarding saving Windsor who he thinks wants to end her own life but is, instead, just topless sunbathing on a rooftop. This brings the whole cast together in scenes that show how they were brilliant both individually and when bouncing off each other (matron!)

Carry On Doctor is as British as having a Full English, talking about the weather or queuing.

Essential.

5 out of 5 stars