When Eunice Gayson died, obituaries noted that she had been the first Bond girl, but otherwise tended to draw a veil over the rest of her career. Some years before Dr. No, she had a supporting role in this mediocre naval farce. An unlikely tale of confused identities, it is quite amusing in parts, but is really not that good. The best that can be said of it is that it passes the time in an inoffensive manner. The real enjoyment of something like this is spotting all those character actors who were once a staple of British films and television
12 Reviews
A disappointing, damp squib.
Sleepin_Dragon18 February 2024
After a few years without seeing one another, two friends enjoy more than a few drinks together, a mix-up with their clothes, lands the pair in real trouble, they have to take up each others roles, professionally.
Don't come here expecting any traditional Carry on humour, the only thing this film shares is the title, and the presence of Joan Sims, other than that it's a bit of a damp squib.
I wonder if this was the inspiration behind the name of the legendary carry on film series.
There's a lot of talent here, but sadly nobody really cuts through, Ronald Shiner, David Tomlinson and Peggy Cummins are all decent, but nothing memorable.
The one saving grace is A. E. Matthews, who played Admiral Sir Maximilian, he's a scream, and his comic timing is wonderful, he stands out.
5/10.
Don't come here expecting any traditional Carry on humour, the only thing this film shares is the title, and the presence of Joan Sims, other than that it's a bit of a damp squib.
I wonder if this was the inspiration behind the name of the legendary carry on film series.
There's a lot of talent here, but sadly nobody really cuts through, Ronald Shiner, David Tomlinson and Peggy Cummins are all decent, but nothing memorable.
The one saving grace is A. E. Matthews, who played Admiral Sir Maximilian, he's a scream, and his comic timing is wonderful, he stands out.
5/10.
Off the Record.
hitchcockthelegend20 November 2013
Carry on Admiral is directed by Val Guest and is based on the play Off the Record written by Ian Hay. It stars David Tomlnson, Peggy Cummins, Brian Reece, Eunice Gayson, A.E. Matthews and Joan Sims.
Gentle Brit comedy about two old friends (Tomlinson/Reece) who get drunk and swap clothes and end up being mistaken for the other and thrust into working environments totally alien to them. All told it's pretty thin material before the creak of age old stage boards punctures the air. The cast are good value, undoubtedly, especially old warrior Matthews who was 88 when making this film! While the farce jinks are enough to induce smiles at regular intervals. But really it isn't a hidden comic gem from the treasure trove of either Val Guest or 1950s Brit-Coms. 5/10
Gentle Brit comedy about two old friends (Tomlinson/Reece) who get drunk and swap clothes and end up being mistaken for the other and thrust into working environments totally alien to them. All told it's pretty thin material before the creak of age old stage boards punctures the air. The cast are good value, undoubtedly, especially old warrior Matthews who was 88 when making this film! While the farce jinks are enough to induce smiles at regular intervals. But really it isn't a hidden comic gem from the treasure trove of either Val Guest or 1950s Brit-Coms. 5/10
Naval Comedy all at Sea
karl-a-hughes20 March 2006
An admiralty civilian and ship's officer get drunk one evening and swap uniforms. The following morning it is a case of hangovers and mistaken identity as each then knowingly undertakes the other's duties.
If you can get over the incredulity that these two men would allow themselves to be mistaken for each other, and go along with this for a whole day, then there's a chance you might enjoy aspects of this movie. But only a chance! A weak lead performance from Brian Reece, and an annoyingly bombastic yet doddery turn out from AE Matthews don't help this thin comedy. It is some of the cameo performances that steal the film - Joan Hickson and Joan Sims make the most of their bit parts, whilst the scene with Alfie Bass and Ronald Shiner steals the show (it provided the only scene I thought funny). It's a shame this is only about one minute long.
If you can get over the incredulity that these two men would allow themselves to be mistaken for each other, and go along with this for a whole day, then there's a chance you might enjoy aspects of this movie. But only a chance! A weak lead performance from Brian Reece, and an annoyingly bombastic yet doddery turn out from AE Matthews don't help this thin comedy. It is some of the cameo performances that steal the film - Joan Hickson and Joan Sims make the most of their bit parts, whilst the scene with Alfie Bass and Ronald Shiner steals the show (it provided the only scene I thought funny). It's a shame this is only about one minute long.
Amusing with a light touch but lacking any good laughs or inspired material
bob the moo1 May 2006
Two men arrive in a port town on the same day, coincidentally both men are old friends and get together for an evening drink. Peter Fraser is in town to take over the captaincy of a British battleship, while Tom Baker is a civilian private-secretary with the Admiralty who has no naval experience at all. Discussing their different roles, one drink turns to another and soon the pair are very much the worse for wear. In the drunken mêlée, the two men end up switching clothes and rooms and wake up in a drunken stupor. Baker is awoken by some of his Fraser's officers, who have never met him and mistake Baker for their new captain. With both men stuck in their new roles, they try to keep afloat long enough to swap places again.
Relying on the sort of contrived comic scenario that many silly British comedies have at their core, this film lacks any sense of logic but this shouldn't bother anyone that much because we (the audience) should be laughing enough to not notice. However this film isn't that funny at all and it just about manages to produce an air of amusement that will perhaps please those looking to fill a Sunday afternoon matinée slot when it is raining outside. There are various confusions and mistaken identities of course and, although the film is energetic, it never made me laugh once, which is a bit of a problem for a comedy. The direction by Guest is so-so and his delivery helps the comic air but the lack of good material is where it falls down.
The cast try their best but aren't that great. Reece isn't that good a lead, although the better turn comes from Tomlinson, who is comic despite the material. Cummins is a bland actress on this evidence but she does the job for the genre. Smaller roles tend to be better with nice performances from Matthews, Beckwith and Shiner to name a couple. Although not a Carry On film (they started a few years after this was made) viewers will recognise a young Joan Sims in a small role.
Overall an amusing little film that has a light touch from cast and director but doesn't have the material to make it that funny. Those looking for something undemanding, nostalgic and easy to watch may find it fills a wet afternoon but other than that I doubt it will win over too many casual viewers.
Relying on the sort of contrived comic scenario that many silly British comedies have at their core, this film lacks any sense of logic but this shouldn't bother anyone that much because we (the audience) should be laughing enough to not notice. However this film isn't that funny at all and it just about manages to produce an air of amusement that will perhaps please those looking to fill a Sunday afternoon matinée slot when it is raining outside. There are various confusions and mistaken identities of course and, although the film is energetic, it never made me laugh once, which is a bit of a problem for a comedy. The direction by Guest is so-so and his delivery helps the comic air but the lack of good material is where it falls down.
The cast try their best but aren't that great. Reece isn't that good a lead, although the better turn comes from Tomlinson, who is comic despite the material. Cummins is a bland actress on this evidence but she does the job for the genre. Smaller roles tend to be better with nice performances from Matthews, Beckwith and Shiner to name a couple. Although not a Carry On film (they started a few years after this was made) viewers will recognise a young Joan Sims in a small role.
Overall an amusing little film that has a light touch from cast and director but doesn't have the material to make it that funny. Those looking for something undemanding, nostalgic and easy to watch may find it fills a wet afternoon but other than that I doubt it will win over too many casual viewers.
Navy Lark
richardchatten10 December 2020
People scurry about this garrulous farce obviously based on a play which still manages to look stagey despite blandishments like 'Spectascope' and scenes actually shot on board a battleship. Thank heavens for the score by Philip Green necessary to remind us how funny this all is.
Long best recalled as one of the titles cited in passing as 'Carry On's that weren't. It's also indistinguishable from the naval farces then being made by Hammer, and like future 'Carry On' cast members Joan Sims & Joan Hickson, includes both cast and personnel from both Hammer's comedies like Brian Reece (who had previously been in 'A Case for PC 49' and was later in 'Watch It Sailor') and horrors like Eunice Gayson (who was soon in 'The Revenge of Frankenstein'). Director Val Guest, who worked in both genres for Hammer, again demonstrates that despite his apprenticeship upon the knee of Will Hay, his later thrillers were far more successful than his comedies.
Long best recalled as one of the titles cited in passing as 'Carry On's that weren't. It's also indistinguishable from the naval farces then being made by Hammer, and like future 'Carry On' cast members Joan Sims & Joan Hickson, includes both cast and personnel from both Hammer's comedies like Brian Reece (who had previously been in 'A Case for PC 49' and was later in 'Watch It Sailor') and horrors like Eunice Gayson (who was soon in 'The Revenge of Frankenstein'). Director Val Guest, who worked in both genres for Hammer, again demonstrates that despite his apprenticeship upon the knee of Will Hay, his later thrillers were far more successful than his comedies.
Not what you think
Leofwine_draca16 October 2015
With that title, you'd think CARRY ON ADMIRAL to be an early instalment in the long-running British Carry On series, but it actually predates it by a year and the title is just a coincidence. However, it IS a British comedy flick, directed by THE QUATERMASS XPERIMENT's Val Guest and starring a cast of seasoned British performers in a story of mistaken identity set aboard a ship.
Sadly, CARRY ON ADMIRAL has dated far more than any of the genuine Carry On films from the era and it remains a rather quaint and sometimes twee oddity. The problem with comedies like this one is that they rely on the laughs for effect and there aren't really any laughs here. There are a couple of amusing moments, the best of which involves a torpedo fired by accident, but everywhere else this feels like a tame, old-fashioned farce.
The cast is also a disappointment given the quantity of familiar faces. David Tomlinson lacks the light touch he brought to the later likes of MARY POPPINS and Peggy Cummins plays a rather dull character; the little-used Eunice Gayson (THE REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN) is much better. Joan Sims, Joan Hickson, and Sam Kydd all appear in minor parts, but aren't involved in any comic moments.
Sadly, CARRY ON ADMIRAL has dated far more than any of the genuine Carry On films from the era and it remains a rather quaint and sometimes twee oddity. The problem with comedies like this one is that they rely on the laughs for effect and there aren't really any laughs here. There are a couple of amusing moments, the best of which involves a torpedo fired by accident, but everywhere else this feels like a tame, old-fashioned farce.
The cast is also a disappointment given the quantity of familiar faces. David Tomlinson lacks the light touch he brought to the later likes of MARY POPPINS and Peggy Cummins plays a rather dull character; the little-used Eunice Gayson (THE REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN) is much better. Joan Sims, Joan Hickson, and Sam Kydd all appear in minor parts, but aren't involved in any comic moments.
Worth seeing
johnhclarke16 July 2007
Although it has only an average plot the 1957 film of an Ian Hay stage play is worth seeing for three reasons. First, it has some great cameos by a range of British bit-part actors, including a perplexed Reginald Beckwith, a young Joan Sims, a lugubrious Ronald Shiner, a too-short appearance by Alfie Bass and uncredited James Hayter (the original voice of Mr Kipling Cakes). Secondly, it has a barnstorming appearance by the elderly British character actor A.E. Matthews who was in his late 80s when the film was shot and had been playing the same role of a peppery old admiral/colonel etc for decades. He fluffs a few lines but carries the film along with his enthusiasm. Finally David Tomlinson, one of Britain's finest comedy actors, is a joy to behold. His comic timing is faultless and he lights up every scene he's in.
Nautical but nice...................................
ianlouisiana18 March 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Not a "Carry On" in the generally accepted sense - the canon didn't start until a couple of years later with "Carry On Sergeant" - but instead a typical British service comedy of the 1950s with all the vices and virtues of the genre. A quite fabulous cast is headed by Mr D.Tomlinson - soon to become America's favourite silly - ass Englishman and Mr B.Reece,hot from his success as P.C.49 and an accomplished farceur.The sublime Mr A.E.Matthews plays the eponymous admiral.Miss E.Gayson,the first Bond girl and Miss J.Sims were on the brink of successful careers on TV and films. The plot is wonderfully silly but the pleasure is all in the performances.Absolutely innocent good - natured fun is had by all. What a treasure house of actors was available to directors fifty - odd years ago.Eccentrics of every kind flourished - indeed were encouraged. A naval officer and a civilian friend get drunk together and end up doing each other's jobs.Well,no one said it was pushing the envelope. But it is very funny,beautifully played and the small parts are exceptionally happily cast for those with a nostalgic eye for the stage and TV performers of what has become to be regarded as as Golden Age. I am an old man but not a grumpy old man,"Carry on Admiral"is a quickie picture from over half a century ago that,bathed in the glow of nostalgia,has the air of a masterpiece of ensemble comedy.
Every Small and Uncredited Role Played Play By A Star
andyrobert10 December 2020
I watched this film on Talking Pictures this morning and it brought back many happy memories.
I remember my Mother and Father taking me to see this film when I was 7 years old, not long after it was made. David Tomlinson and Ronald Shiner seemed to turn up in a lot of British films in those days. At 7 years old, I was not old enough to recognise the names to some of the actors that I saw at the cinema. I can only say that my naïve child's mind was sometimes curious about the way the same men turned up in different films playing different characters. It was very confusing - I used to think that they just looked like each other.
Incidentally, this was the third time that I had seen David Tomlinson donning the uniform of an officer in the Royal Navy. The other two films were "Up the Creek" and "Further Up The Creek.
Although not too well known, the film is interesting inasmuch as nearly all the supporting and uncredited roles are played by well-known actors. Familiar faces like, Joan Sims, Joan Hickson, Alfie Bass, and the ubiquitous Sam Kydd, all made the film worth watching. It almost ran like a potted history of British Cinema of the 1950s and '60s.
I also enjoyed seeing Eunice Gayson, looking just as lovely as she did in the first two James Bond films, Doctor No and From Russia With Love, where she played the casino croupier, Sylvia Trench.
Some of the scenes were shot in and around Portsmouth. As a man who served in the Royal Navy and having lived and served in Portsmouth for most of my working life, I recognised some of the locations, especially the area that stood in for the "Harbour Hotel".
In the background I could see the seating area of Spice Island - a lovely part of Portsmouth which has not changed very much since 1957. Although, I think The Union Hotel, has possibly changed names many times since this film was made. The view of Spice Island suggested that the hotel might have been The Coal Exchange, which is next to the Still and West public house.
I was a bit confused about the other locations in Portsmouth, but I think they may have been distorted for security reasons, as with the name of the warship.
Ever since William Shakespeare penned his immortal lines in such plays as Twelfth Night and Midsummer Night's Dream, cases of mistaken identity have always been a good formula for comedy.
As an ex-Navy man, myself, who has lived in Portsmouth for most of his life, there are a lot of flaws in the storyline that I could pick out, but why bother? It was a very funny film and it passed an hour and a half this morning while my wife was doing the hoovering.
I remember my Mother and Father taking me to see this film when I was 7 years old, not long after it was made. David Tomlinson and Ronald Shiner seemed to turn up in a lot of British films in those days. At 7 years old, I was not old enough to recognise the names to some of the actors that I saw at the cinema. I can only say that my naïve child's mind was sometimes curious about the way the same men turned up in different films playing different characters. It was very confusing - I used to think that they just looked like each other.
Incidentally, this was the third time that I had seen David Tomlinson donning the uniform of an officer in the Royal Navy. The other two films were "Up the Creek" and "Further Up The Creek.
Although not too well known, the film is interesting inasmuch as nearly all the supporting and uncredited roles are played by well-known actors. Familiar faces like, Joan Sims, Joan Hickson, Alfie Bass, and the ubiquitous Sam Kydd, all made the film worth watching. It almost ran like a potted history of British Cinema of the 1950s and '60s.
I also enjoyed seeing Eunice Gayson, looking just as lovely as she did in the first two James Bond films, Doctor No and From Russia With Love, where she played the casino croupier, Sylvia Trench.
Some of the scenes were shot in and around Portsmouth. As a man who served in the Royal Navy and having lived and served in Portsmouth for most of my working life, I recognised some of the locations, especially the area that stood in for the "Harbour Hotel".
In the background I could see the seating area of Spice Island - a lovely part of Portsmouth which has not changed very much since 1957. Although, I think The Union Hotel, has possibly changed names many times since this film was made. The view of Spice Island suggested that the hotel might have been The Coal Exchange, which is next to the Still and West public house.
I was a bit confused about the other locations in Portsmouth, but I think they may have been distorted for security reasons, as with the name of the warship.
Ever since William Shakespeare penned his immortal lines in such plays as Twelfth Night and Midsummer Night's Dream, cases of mistaken identity have always been a good formula for comedy.
As an ex-Navy man, myself, who has lived in Portsmouth for most of his life, there are a lot of flaws in the storyline that I could pick out, but why bother? It was a very funny film and it passed an hour and a half this morning while my wife was doing the hoovering.
For those who like mixed mix-ups!
JohnHowardReid8 October 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Director/screenplay: VAL GUEST. Based on the 1947 stage play "Off the Record" by Ian Hay and Stephen King-Hall. Photographed in SpectaScope by Arthur Grant. Film editor: John Pomeroy. Art director: Elven Webb. Music composed and directed by Philip Green. Camera operator: Moray Grant. Technical adviser: Commander J. F. Blackburn, D.S.O., R.N. Assistant to the producer: Fred Hymns. Production manager: Roger Marley. Assistant director: Buddy Booth. Sound: Eric Treasure. Associate producer: Denis O'Dell. Producer: George Minter.
A George Minter Production, released in the U.K. by Renown, in Australia by Universal-International: 2 January 1958; in the U.S.A. by George K. Arthur: 19 January 1958. New York opening at the Guild: 19 January 1958. Registered: April 1957. "U" certificate. 7,421 feet. 82½ minutes. (Available on a good Simply Media DVD).
SYNOPSIS: Admiral's pretty grand-daughter tries to set things right after a naval officer and a statesman change places.
COMMENT: This old-fashioned farce is NOT, despite the title, one of the Carry On series, all of which were produced by Peter Rogers.
True, the playing here is equally enthusiastic, but the writing is even more tired, while the direction lacks the zing of Gerald Thomas.
OTHER VIEWS: During one of the five or six hundred mix-ups... one harried laddie turns to another and says, "You claim you have trouble — I'm up to my naval handbook." If you think that's funny, the movie will strike you as an absolute screamer... But somehow you probably won't think that's funny... Many a gag, true, but none of them fresh out of gag-writer's school. — William K. Zinsser in The N.Y. Herald Tribune.
It is neatly made, extracting every ounce of humor from ludicrous situations, which have greater scope visually than (in the play)... Tomlinson and Reece handle the two leading characters with zest and a fine sense of the ridiculous... Matthews mumbles his way with delightful inconsequence through his role. — "Clem" in Variety.
Unfortunately, (the cast) is not loaded down with anything resembling a weighty story or imaginative plotting... There is a good deal of mugging in (Tomlinson and Reece's) contributions but it appears to be in keeping with the addle-pated nature of this lampoon. — A.H. Weiler in The New York Times.
A George Minter Production, released in the U.K. by Renown, in Australia by Universal-International: 2 January 1958; in the U.S.A. by George K. Arthur: 19 January 1958. New York opening at the Guild: 19 January 1958. Registered: April 1957. "U" certificate. 7,421 feet. 82½ minutes. (Available on a good Simply Media DVD).
SYNOPSIS: Admiral's pretty grand-daughter tries to set things right after a naval officer and a statesman change places.
COMMENT: This old-fashioned farce is NOT, despite the title, one of the Carry On series, all of which were produced by Peter Rogers.
True, the playing here is equally enthusiastic, but the writing is even more tired, while the direction lacks the zing of Gerald Thomas.
OTHER VIEWS: During one of the five or six hundred mix-ups... one harried laddie turns to another and says, "You claim you have trouble — I'm up to my naval handbook." If you think that's funny, the movie will strike you as an absolute screamer... But somehow you probably won't think that's funny... Many a gag, true, but none of them fresh out of gag-writer's school. — William K. Zinsser in The N.Y. Herald Tribune.
It is neatly made, extracting every ounce of humor from ludicrous situations, which have greater scope visually than (in the play)... Tomlinson and Reece handle the two leading characters with zest and a fine sense of the ridiculous... Matthews mumbles his way with delightful inconsequence through his role. — "Clem" in Variety.
Unfortunately, (the cast) is not loaded down with anything resembling a weighty story or imaginative plotting... There is a good deal of mugging in (Tomlinson and Reece's) contributions but it appears to be in keeping with the addle-pated nature of this lampoon. — A.H. Weiler in The New York Times.
Carry-on Admiral
CinemaSerf27 August 2023
I bet the current boss of the Royal Navy would be rather envious at the start of this film as we are taken on a brief tour of a fleet that is somewhat larger than the one the UK has now! Parliamentarian "Tom" (David Tomlinson) is on an advance recce for his boss when he encounters old pal, and ship's captain, "Peter" (Brian Reece) and thanks to a mix up from chambermaid "Mary" (Joan Sims) they start mixing gin and whisky, swapping rooms, jackets and ending up steaming for the ultimate hangover. Next morning, they find themselves quite literally in each other's shoes causing confusion and mayhem - even firing a torpedo - before "Susan" (Peggy Cummins) and "Jane" (Eunice Gayson) realise that something is amiss and decide they need to rectify things before doddery Admiral "Godfrey" (AE Matthews) initiates an whole scale review of the service - and quite possibly starts a war! It's gently comedic with a decent effort from Tomlinson steering it away from the worst excesses of farce and imbuing a degree of the post wartime spirit quite warmly. It's more of a chuckle than a guffaw, but moves along quite quickly and nicely reminds us of what used to make us laugh.
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