Beaten only by 'Carry On Abroad', 'Loving' is one of the jewels in the crown of the 'Carry On' saga. Talbot Rothwell's 1970 picture focuses on the exploits of Sidney and Sophie Bliss ( who share the same surname despite not being married ), who are played to perfection by who else but Sid James and Hattie Jacques? The two run the Wedded Bliss dating agency who have an unfortunate reputation of pairing clients together who are clearly ill suited.
That's pretty much all there is to it. As is common with a 'Carry On' film, the punchlines, heavily laden with puns and innuendo, come thick and fast. Sid James turns in his usual fine performance and Hattie Jacques is larger than life as Sophie. I laughed out loud with an opening scene featuring an argument between Sid and Sophie in which she accuses him of flirting with the woman at the local newsagent. ''I was only going in there for my shag!'', said Sid. He was of course referring to tobacco but the double entendre was unmistakable.
The usual mob graced this wonderful little picture who included Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims, Kenneth Williams, Bernard Bresslaw, Terry Scott, Patsy Rowlands, however some newer faces joined in the fun including Jacki Piper, Richard O'Callaghan and Imogen Hassall ( who tragically took her own life in 1980 at the mere age of 38 ).
Cropping up in minor roles are Bill Maynard, Kenny Lynch, Amelia Bayntun, Peter Butterworth and 'On The Buses' actress Anna Karen, the latter who is one of the wives who gets a custard pie shoved down her heaving cleavage during the infamous 'custard pie fight at the wedding' scene.
Rothwell's next cinematic release was 'Carry On Henry', it seemed to perform better than 'Loving' but was nowhere near as funny in my opinion.
Funniest bit- it obviously is the 'custard pie' fight scene. Has me in hysterics each time!
That's pretty much all there is to it. As is common with a 'Carry On' film, the punchlines, heavily laden with puns and innuendo, come thick and fast. Sid James turns in his usual fine performance and Hattie Jacques is larger than life as Sophie. I laughed out loud with an opening scene featuring an argument between Sid and Sophie in which she accuses him of flirting with the woman at the local newsagent. ''I was only going in there for my shag!'', said Sid. He was of course referring to tobacco but the double entendre was unmistakable.
The usual mob graced this wonderful little picture who included Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims, Kenneth Williams, Bernard Bresslaw, Terry Scott, Patsy Rowlands, however some newer faces joined in the fun including Jacki Piper, Richard O'Callaghan and Imogen Hassall ( who tragically took her own life in 1980 at the mere age of 38 ).
Cropping up in minor roles are Bill Maynard, Kenny Lynch, Amelia Bayntun, Peter Butterworth and 'On The Buses' actress Anna Karen, the latter who is one of the wives who gets a custard pie shoved down her heaving cleavage during the infamous 'custard pie fight at the wedding' scene.
Rothwell's next cinematic release was 'Carry On Henry', it seemed to perform better than 'Loving' but was nowhere near as funny in my opinion.
Funniest bit- it obviously is the 'custard pie' fight scene. Has me in hysterics each time!