From IMDB- ‘Dr Nookey, disgraced, is sent to a remote island hospital. Staff member Gladstone Screwer gives him a secret slimming potion. Nookey flies to England for fame and fortune. Others try to cash in or bring him down.’

As you can probably tell from the plot outline, there are some cracking character names in Carry On Again Doctor. My favourite must be Barbara Windsor’s character who goes by the nom de plume Goldie Locks but whose real name is Maud Boggins.

There seems to be more free rein given to the actors to do their thing and this pays off handsomely. All cast members across the board are in their element with the gags coming thick and fast. Occasionally these become downright surreal (the scene in which Jim Dale electrocutes himself being a brilliant example). There are also other more subtle jokes that are just as funny. I loved the scene where Williams tells a patient to breathe in and hold his breath but then gets waylaid by Joan Sims with the patient turning the colour of a beetroot before he’s told he can exhale.

And then there’s Charles Hawtrey’s star turn in drag as Lady Puddleton. This must have been the inspiration for Dustin Hoffman’s Tootsie.

I also loved that some of the film takes place on the Beatific Islands. This adds variety to the usual home fare. Look out for Shakira, Michael Caine’s future wife.

Another hospital-based Carry On but daring enough to steer away from what’s come before.

4 out of 5 stars